From situational awareness to the ability to take action is often a long way.
KEYPLAYER
STUDY
2024_
Resilience is
Restructuring
Squared.
KEYTOPIC 2024
The Formula R
of the Automotive Supply Industry:
Expert study on strengthening competitiveness in challenging times.
“The problem in the current transformation is the simultaneous urgency of all the issues.” Guided by this central thesis, we, the automotive and restructuring experts from Keyplayer and FH Kufstein, conducted a series of interviews. Together with the strategy consultancy Berylls by AlixPartners, specialized in automotive topics, we interviewed nearly 70 senior and mid-level managers from automotive suppliers across different specializations in the DACH region, both in person and online, between May and July 2024. The immediate reason for the survey was the crisis, which by this year had become impossible to overlook in large parts of the industry. In our view, to respond effectively, automotive suppliers in every area of specialization must expand their restructuring capabilities and learn to apply them purposefully. More importantly, in volatile times such as those that are likely to remain with us for some time, restructuring must be understood as an ongoing task.
The authors, Alexander Kujumdshiev (Partner & Director Automotive at Keyplayer) and Prof. Dr. Markus W. Exler (Head of the Institute for Cross-Border Restructuring, which he founded, and Professor of Turnaround & Transformation at FH Kufstein), aim in this study to establish a framework that as many automotive suppliers as possible can follow. They call this framework the “r2-Rhombus,” and it is intended, quite literally, to define a space for action and open up possibilities for decision-making. The survey results among executives and owners of large automotive suppliers reveal one thing clearly: almost everyone recognizes the need for restructuring; yet, interestingly, all respondents rely on the same measures, even though they face different problems with different root causes.
CONTENTS OF THE STUDY
-
[Management Summary]
-
[Chapter 01]
A new understanding of restructuring to strengthen corporate competitiveness.
-
[Chapter 02]
Master complexity, increase opportunities.
-
[Chapter 03]
Secure the business model, gain degrees of freedom.
-
[Chapter 04]
Adaptability is the key competence in volatile times.
-
[Conclusion]
Those who arrive too late are punished by the competition.
Our first interpretation:
Pressure to adapt =
Pressure to change =
Pressure to restructure.
[ MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ]
> Please see the survey results on this
A new understanding of restructuring to strengthen entrepreneurial competitiveness.
[ CHAPTER 01 ]
Let us begin with the “Formula R” of the automotive supply industry, already announced in the title of this study. Spelled out, it reads: resilience is restructuring squared, or more briefly: r = r². r² describes the effect that arises when restructuring competences and restructuring levers are multiplied. We call this effect resilience, meaning relative immunity to crises.
Master complexity, increase opportunities.
[ CHAPTER 02 ]
> > Read the full chapter here
Establishing continuous improvement processes in all areas, along with the consistent development and implementation of the corporate strategy, are cited as the most important competencies.
Secure the business model. Gain flexibility.
[ CHAPTER 03 ]
> You can find the agenda for securing operational flexibility in our study
The greatest transformation in the history of the automotive supply industry is challenging companies to act in very specific ways. However, two constants stand out among the most important issues: financing and the profitability-oriented business model.
Adaptability is the key competence in volatile times.
[ CHAPTER 04 ]
> You can find our detailed to-do list in Chapter 04
Awareness of crisis symptoms, crisis stages, and the need for change is surprisingly low among many of the personalities surveyed. In other words, too many respondents act with insufficient foresight or react far too late. Here you can find our four fundamental recommendations for action.

Those who arrive too late are punished by the competition.
[ CONCLUSION ]
The results of our study clearly show that restructuring projects in the automotive industry must not be limited to cost reduction. The key drivers are thinking about innovation and digital business models, as well as engaging in intelligent collaborations. In this spirit, we warmly recommend ourselves, Alexander Kujumdshiev and Prof. (FH) Dr. Markus W. Exler.
Your personal
contact person
Secure your personal copy of the study!
- Keyplayer Home
- Automotive supplier study