Operational Weaknesses Threaten Market Position
A globally operating plant engineering company with 1,300 employees and €65 million in revenue faced existential challenges: inefficient production processes, quality deficiencies, and delivery delays were straining profitability and customer relationships. At the same time, an ongoing M&A process required clear structures and transparency—particularly critical at the international sites in Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia. The management appointed an interim manager in mechanical engineering with COO expertise to sustainably stabilize production, logistics, and compliance.
Mastering complexity across six plants
With around 1,000 operational employees in six plants, the consistent implementation of process optimization and lean management was the main focus. The reason for this was production inefficiencies that led to delivery bottlenecks and customer dissatisfaction. At the same time, the lack of standardization strained both quality and compliance.
The international activities also increased complexity, especially given the challenging market conditions. Against this backdrop, the clear goal was to achieve operational excellence – to convince investors through transparency and scalability.
Comprehensive Restructuring with a Clear Focus
As Director of Production and Logistics, the XQI Manager implemented a three-stage transformation:
As part of the measures, process optimization and digitalization were advanced: production workflows were standardized according to Lean principles, and by introducing transparent control metrics, efficiency was significantly increased. In addition, a new quality management system was established and compliance structures were embedded—both crucial for the M&A process. Furthermore, the operational M&A support included creating the necessary transparency for investors, particularly through clear supply chain and production data.
From Crisis to Stable Performance
Within 24 months, the interim COO transformed the company:
As part of the measures, processes at all six locations were harmonized – from production to order processing – creating a uniform way of working.
Automation and streamlined workflows improved delivery performance, making it possible to meet delivery deadlines more reliably. A robust quality management system ensured product quality and strengthened customer trust.
In addition, sustainable compliance structures were established to ensure legally sound operations in international markets. Operational transparency accelerated the M&A process, increased the company’s attractiveness, and facilitated the search for investors.
