The BÜFA Group is an internationally active family-owned company in the chemical industry. Operating in three business areas—Chemicals, Cleaning, and Composites—BÜFA offers a wide range of products, services, and solutions. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and quality, BÜFA supplies various industries, including the automotive, food, and cleaning sectors. The company follows a strategic procurement policy to ensure a secure and sustainable supply chain.
Show PDF VersionAs part of a joint research project between Hochschule Mainz and BÜFA GmbH & Co. KG, the focus was on finding new, suitable suppliers for a specific chemical product. The challenge was to identify a valid selection of suppliers within a short period who could meet BÜFA’s high logistical, qualitative, and regulatory requirements.
The Challenge: Efficient Supplier Search
BÜFA follows a multi-sourcing strategy to enhance supply security, collaborate with the right strategic partners, and avoid complete dependency on individual suppliers. For the research project, it was crucial to identify a variety of potential suppliers who not only offer high-quality products but also meet sustainability and economic criteria.
The conventional search for new suppliers was time-consuming and complex due to the opacity of the supplier market and the many selection criteria. An external perspective was also needed to systematically assess previous sourcing decisions.
Analysis of the Existing Supplier Portfolio
Before using Matchory, the project team analyzed BÜFA’s existing supplier portfolio. Suppliers were evaluated based on their performance, cost structure, and sustainability standards. This analysis served as a foundation to specifically look for new suppliers who could fill gaps in the current portfolio and provide additional value.
Using Matchory
Students from Hochschule Mainz used the digital platform Matchory, which enables the efficient identification of suitable suppliers through artificial intelligence and data-based analysis. After receiving training from a Matchory expert, the project team conducted targeted keyword searches to create an initial longlist of potential suppliers. This list was further refined using additional filters, such as geographical location, production capacity, and certifications.
Impressive Results in a Short Time
Within just a few days, the team was able to generate a comprehensive longlist of suppliers. Data analysis through Matchory led to the identification of ten highly relevant suppliers who met BÜFA’s specific requirements. This shortlist included established manufacturers in Europe. Without the AI-powered platform, this process would have taken several weeks.
FinalResults and Top Matches: Creating a Supplier Shortlist
Based on the criteria defined by BÜFA, the initial “longlist” was narrowed down to the following “shortlist” of potential new suppliers, each briefly described:
Based on this market analysis and BÜFA’s internal evaluation, the company can now refine its procurement strategy for the selected chemical product.
KeyLearnings and High-Level Objectives
The project provided valuable insights for future procurement practices:
The high-level objectives of the project were:
Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift in Procurement
This research project impressively demonstrates how digital technologies can revolutionize efficiency and precision in supplier searches. By using Matchory, BÜFA, in collaboration with Hochschule Mainz students, was able to make a well-founded and strategically sound supplier selection in record time.
This example highlights the potential of digital procurement solutions for companies looking to optimize their supply chains and partner with sustainable and economically viable suppliers. With this successful case study,BÜFA sets new standards in digital supplier research and showcases how artificial intelligence can help make procurement processes more efficient and targeted.
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