Kärcher

In doing so, the integration challenges have been significant involving widespread complexity across all business functions ranging from supporting multiple dealer networks and many web sites to product portfolio proliferation and inventory challenges.

Kärcher is an innovator and leader in the cleaning equipment industry. The core focus has always been on product innovation. However, innovations utilizing technology and the Internet to run the business better and improve the customer experience have not received the same attention in the past. The company decided that under the strategic theme “Internet,” they would take a fresh look at technology and Internet-driven opportunities to enhance processes and experiences. They decided to engage Teccelerators for this business and technology discovery assessment.

Solution

This assessment was research centric. To clearly understand the market drivers and business strategies of the company, the key stakeholders were interviewed and both quantitative and qualitative input gathered. This included gathering metrics on web site traffic, channel order volume data and successful internal brand-specific technology capabilities. A secondary research and benchmarking effort followed. Looking both within the industry and outside, applicable benchmarks were identified – some quite surprising with applicable learnings and best practices drawn from the furniture industry, high tech, retail an automotive.

Many improvement and innovation opportunities were identified. Working together with the key Kärcher stakeholders, these opportunities were then reviewed and prioritized creating great energy for the move forward plan.