Assembling Perfection

Würth International, a global wholesaler specializing in the sale of fastening and assembly materials, was facing challenges with its supply chain. With warehouse locations all over Europe and many separate suppliers, the company had very limited transparency into demand across its day-to-day operations and could not support its growth initiatives. The company was experiencing stock shortages and extended delays as goods passed through its supply chain, known as the “bullwhip” effect. To reduce these issues, the company realized it needed a new solution in order to gain much-needed insight into customer demand and a more efficient, automated replenishment process. Würth International required an approach that would increase demand visibility and allow the company to garner the resulting benefits, including inventory reduction, decreased product obsolescence, improved customer service levels and purchasing, as well as achieve material management efficiencies.

Würth International is a global wholesaler and part of the €7.52 billion Würth Group. The company specializes in the worldwide sale of fastening and assembly materials, including more than 100,000 types of screws, screw accessories, dowels and plugs, chemical products, furniture and construction fittings, tools and stock-keeping and picking systems. Founded in 1964, Würth International holds a centralized function within the Würth Group and is responsible for the setting up, acquisition, holding and management of all Würth subsidiaries globally, as well as centrally managing all of the purchasing activities for all of Würth’s subsidiaries located outside of Germany. The company purchases 97 percent of the goods it sells as Würth-branded products from suppliers and also maintains a repacking facility in Slovakia.