Problem
In 2016, Bossard AG was a leading wholesaler and supply chain service provider for fasteners. Its business model aimed to improve the efficiency of clients' manufacturing operations by applying Industry 4.0 technologies to integrate the delivery of the highest quality screws, nuts, and bolts, with logistics solutions for supply chains, and technical solutions for product designs using fasteners. Bossard's key selling point was its ability to enhance its clients' consumable-parts management, thus reducing its customers' total costs of ownership. Bossard had been successful in Europe but found the Chinese market difficult to penetrate. The company was looking for better ways to deliver value to Chinese industrial customers.
A. Discuss how Industry 4.0 is impacting Bossard AG and the logistics industries.
B. Examine some of the challenges arising from the transformation.
C. Explain how technology changes associated with Industry 4.0 (Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT) are changing sourcing and operations.
D. Explain the challenges of internationalizing a business model that is based on local delivery of business services.
E. Discuss a business model for integrated logistics solutions.
F. Discuss solutions for growing sales of business services in China.
Focusing on the logistical aspects of the case and how industry 4.9 may play a role in achieving exceptional performance.