Procurement 360° - see the big picture
An integrated, process-focused approach is central to the way our procurement system works. This depends on cross-section collaboration and forward-looking supplier management.
Click (8 process fields) and find out more:
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Sourcing
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Supplier Management
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Quality Management
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Risk Management
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Legal Regulation
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Process Optimization
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Organization
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Reporting
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Procurement 360° – How we operate
Sourcing
A global standard
Selecting suppliers in accordance with SEW-EURODRIVE-encompassing criteria safeguards our high quality standard.
Transparency of global procurement markets
We identify opportunities and risks at an early stage, and act in close cooperation with our decentralized procurement organizations.
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What we procure
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Where we procure
What we procure
- Purchased motors
- Rotary encoders
- Cables
- Couplings
- Fans
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Plastic parts
- Extruded parts
- Active components
- Passive components
- Lubricants
- DIN parts and standard parts
- Copper
- Castings
- Bronze
- Steel
- Magnets
- Laminated cores
- Machined parts
- Sealing technology
- Packaging material
- Rolling bearings
- Forged parts
Where we procure
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireand
- Israel
- Italy
- Hungary
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapur
- Slowenia
- Spain
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- USA
- United Kingdom
Supplier Management
Integrated approach
The SEW-EURODRIVE Supplier Management Toolbox is used worldwide. From selecting suppliers right through to evaluation and supplier development.
Shoulder to shoulder
Experts from procurement, development, quality and logistics make joint decisions in so-called "Supplier Steering Committees".
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What we expect
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Partnership for sustainable success
What we expect
What we expect
Our suppliers are convincing in terms of quality, performance, innovation and compliance with ethical, ecological and social standards - and are thus in line with SEW-EURODRIVE's drive. Because our drive lies in joint success with our suppliers and customers.
If you want to work with us as a competent partner, then you, like us, stand for:
- open and honest communication
- respectful interaction
- mutual reliability.
To become a supplier for SEW-EURODRIVE, you should have the necessary certificates and meet the following main criteria:
- Compliance with guidelines
- Adherence to delivery dates
- Quality
- Cost transparency
- Ability to innovate.
Partnership for sustainable success
Partnership for sustainable success
Together with our suppliers and with our customers, we aim to minimize risks by acting responsibly. In doing so, we create the basic conditions for stable, long-term relationships with all our business partners.
This means that when selecting potential suppliers and working with existing suppliers, we set strict standards in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness and also attach great importance to compliance with environmental and social standards.
These standards are defined in SEW-EURODRIVE's Code of Conduct:
- To our Code of Conduct (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Quality Management
Forward-looking protection
Feasibility studies before the start of series production, quick intervention and direct communication with suppliers ensure that procedures run smoothly.
Multi-stage escalation management
The planning of measures and consistent follow-ups take place together with the persons responsible within the supply chain.
Risk Management
Prevention
Early identification of supplier-related risks avoids disruption of operations. The entire supplier pool is monitored via the so-called Critical Supplier Watchlist.
Trend radar
Observation of procurement markets, political events and technology trends enables proactive initiatives to be implemented.
- Packaging Manual (PDF, 824 kB)
Legal Regulation
Product conformity
We ensure that legal requirements within the value creation chain are understood and fulfilled by means of active, cross-functional moderation.
Sustainability
In addition to economic requirements, social, ethical and environmental issues are the basis for our everyday decisions and actions.
Supply chain due diligence
SEW-EURODRIVE strictly adheres to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the human rights and environmental due diligence obligations anchored therein, which must be observed within our supply chains and in our own business area.
- Terms and Conditions of Purchase (PDF, 61 kB)
- Supplier information concerning product conformity (REACH, RoHS etc.) (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- Statement concerning conflict minerals (PDF, 30 kB)
- Code of Conduct (PDF, 989 kB)
Process Optimization
Digitalization
We develop highly automated processes with future-oriented technology and global networking.
Interface coordination
Potential is exploited to the fullest extent by incorporating both internal and external business partners.
Staff department
We have a separate team in procurement which exclusively deals with topics concerning digitalization and process optimization.
Organization
Close to the action
Targeted deployment of procurement specialists on site within production plants and innovation departments.
Value influencer
Enthusiasm for the topics of tomorrow, continuous further education and an active transfer of knowledge are our daily motivation.
As one of the technology leaders of drive and automation technology, close cooperation with universities and associations is very important to us. Our procurement is no exception:
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BME Membership
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Endowed Professorship of Procurement
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Innovation Award
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Heilbronn University Cooperation
BME Membership
SEW-EURODRIVE is a member of the BME, the Federal Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik). A membership which brings us many benefits:
- Germany-wide and international network
- Strong regional-based network (38 regions)
- KAR Network (Karlsruhe area) with various professional events
- National events
- Qualification opportunities
- Specialist publications
Endowed Professorship of Procurement
SEW-EURODRIVE is one of the sponsors of the Endowment Professorship for Procurement within the business administration faculty at Mannheim University. This is where Prof. Dr. Christoph Bode deals with the topic of "Supply Chain Management". The main focus is on purchasing and procurement. Relevant and innovative inspiration for research, teaching and practice should be implemented in this area.
Innovation Award

In June 2017, SEW-EURODRIVE came in first place at the presentation of the Horst Hartmann Award, the "Innovative North German Procurement Award".
The "Procurement 360° - see the big picture" initiative won the award for “"Innovative Best Practice Solutions in Procurement". What convinced the jury was the holistic approach for a networked, professional and future-oriented procurement department. This includes the methodology used and the interplay within the company.
The annual presentation of the award by Kiel Technical University not only represents acknowledgment of the prizewinners but also the life's work of Prof. Dr. Horst Hartmann, whose teaching had a decisive influence on modern procurement.
Heilbronn University Cooperation
Well-maintained master data is essential for every company. Despite its significant importance and high regard, the regular maintenance of master data is often neglected.
The cooperation with Heilbronn University concerns an industrial project to create a trend study regarding the quality of master data. A study which is becoming increasingly important in the course of digitalization.
As part of a joint workshop, a master data pre-assessment took place at SEW-EURODRIVE. This involved a qualitative investigation of the current situation regarding the quality of master data within the company. The results of this investigation were incorporated into the trend study.
Reporting
Procurement 360° – How we operate
The demand for high quality and innovative products as well as our global solutions business require procurement which is just as dynamic and global as the market environment in which we operate.
Our "Procurement 360° - see the big picture" initiative, which has already been successfully implemented, reflects the philosophy of the holistic approach, according to which our procurement department thinks and operates successfully on an international basis. The goal is to position procurement as a future value creator in order to provide everyone concerned with the necessary awareness.
Procurement is incorporated into the entire value creation chain at SEW-EURODRIVE. In addition to intensive cooperation with almost every sector – from development and production to quality management and logistics – we are also consistently bringing our buyers in the global subsidiaries on board.
This close integration within our global company is supplemented by
- ongoing communication with our suppliers
- understanding the needs of our customers
- cooperation with specialist associations and renowned universities.
This ensures that the right material is always available at the right time for our production department. In this way, we can keep our promise to our customers and deliver on time within tight deadlines.
Maintaining high quality and sustainability standards in the supply chain is more than just a statement for us. At SEW-EURODRIVE, this claim is firmly anchored as a fundamental factor in the entire value creation chain.
The benefits for you as a supplier
Your benefits
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Competent partnership
We provide professional support, target-oriented solutions and efficient implementation. -
Sustainable cooperation
We stand for open communication, mutual respect, reliability and social responsibility. -
Shared success
because we are proactive and forward-thinking, team and result-oriented, cross-functional and entrepreneurial.
The benefits for you as a customer
Your benefits
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Quick and on-time delivery at all times
through continuous observation of procurement markets, proactive implementation of initiatives and by means of preventive measures. -
High quality worldwide
because we evaluate and select our suppliers all over the world in accordance with the same comprehensive criteria. -
Social and ethical security
because you can rely on us to place the same high demands on suppliers as we do on ourselves.
Supplier information
Would you like to apply to become one of our suppliers? If so, please fill out our supplier information form.
Register now!