Case Study

Hilti (A): Gearing the supply chain for the future

14 pages
October 2008
Reference: IMD-6-0313

To make its supply chain fit for the future, Hilti, a global player in the construction industry, is revising its current supply chain setup. In particular, the firm has identified three restructuring alternatives: (1) Low pain low gain: Keep the existing supply chain setup and pursue only minor changes. (2) Consolidate around existing structures: Increase the profitability of the existing structures and consolidate production. Closures of individual plants might be necessary. (3) Greenfield: Exploit the potential of a low-cost region and shift the entire production to new facilities in Eastern Europe. The case takes a look at the different options Hilti has and outlines the underlying strategic alternatives.

Learning Objective

While discussing the case, students will specifically learn about the chances, difficulties and trade-offs between different objectives involved with supply chain reorganization.

Keywords
Supply Chain Reorganization, Assessing Options, Construction, Production Management, Operations Management
Settings
Liechtenstein
January – September 2005
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2008
Available Languages
English
Related material
Teaching note
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This case study is part of a series
  • Hilti (A): Gearing the supply chain for the future
  • Hilti (B): Reflections and outlook
This case study is part of a series
  • Hilti (A): Gearing the supply chain for the future
  • Hilti (B): Reflections and outlook
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Hilti (A): Gearing the supply chain for the future
By Ralf W. Seifert and Kerstin U. Langenberg
Case reference: IMD-6-0313 ©2008
Summary
To make its supply chain fit for the future, Hilti, a global player in the construction industry, is revising its current supply chain setup. In pa...
Reference IMD-6-0313
Copyright ©2008
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Hilti (B): Reflections and outlook
By Ralf W. Seifert and Kerstin U. Langenberg
Case reference: IMD-6-0314 ©2008
Summary
This case follows up on the case Hilti (A): Gearing the Supply Chain for the Future (IMD-6-0314). It reveals the decision Hilti actually took in it...
Reference IMD-6-0314
Copyright ©2008
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications