Accenture buys German supply chain and operations consultancy Staufen

One of Germany’s leading supply chain and operations consultancies, Staufen, has been acquired by Accenture. The deal sees around 200 consultants in six countries join Accenture.

Established in 1994 in Germany, Staufen has since its inception built itself a strong reputation in areas such as operational excellence, supply chain management, and lean, with a focus on clients in manufacturing environments, including automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial goods and medical equipment.

Staufen’s service portfolio includes offerings for operational excellence, Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, supply chain management, lean and continuous improvement, and data and analytics.

Commenting on the deal, Christina Raab, Accenture’s market unit lead for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, said: “In today’s volatile landscape, organizations need solutions that address every critical aspect of their operations, from rising production costs to supply chain complexities. The need for operational excellence is greater than ever, and adding Staufen will help us unlock the full value of manufacturing and supply chain operations.”

Matthias Hégelé, Accenture’s supply chain and operations lead for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, added: “Manufacturers must continuously improve their entire value chains to stay competitive. The acquisition of Staufen aligns with our strategy to reinvent supply chains and manufacturing for clients.”

Hégelé noted that Accenture will combine Staufen’s expertise in operational excellence and value chain transformation with its capabilities in digital technologies, digital twins and supply chain and manufacturing technology, to provide clients with a fully integrated offering from strategy through to delivery and technology.

The majority of Staufen’s 200-strong team will join Accenture in Germany, with other members to join the global consulting giant in Italy, Switzerland, the US, Mexico, and Brazil. They will become part of the supply chain and operations practice.

Staufen is the latest in a series of acquisitions Accenture has closed to enhance its supply chain and operations capabilities, including Joshua Tree Group and On Process Technology in the US, Camelot Management Consultants in Germany, and Flo Group in the Netherlands.

The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. The deal excludes Staufen’s Chinese business and ValueStreamer product line.