FACTUREE Showcases at AMB: Procurement That Scales with Order Size
Brief portrait of FACTUREE
FACTUREE offers a future-oriented all-in-one solution for the fast, reliable and up-to-date procurement of all types of drawing parts from a single source. With a network of over 2,000 manufacturing partners and around 15,000 machines, the company covers all common processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal processing, 3D printing and casting. From prototypes to large-scale production, FACTUREE offers maximum delivery capability and resilience for industries such as mechanical engineering, automotive and aviation. Its customers include well-known companies such as Siemens as well as SMEs and research institutions.
Further information: www.facturee.de
The same component, but a new procurement process: For many purchasing departments, the transition from prototyping to small-batch or mass production brings a significant increase in workload. Although the component has long since been technically developed, manufacturing partners often need to be reevaluated, capacities reviewed, and terms renegotiated. This is because a manufacturer that supplies prototype parts is not automatically the right partner for mass production. At the AMB trade show in Stuttgart from September 15–19, FACTUREE will demonstrate at Booth EO129 how parts based on drawings can be procured seamlessly from the prototype stage through to series production.
„Many companies underestimate how much effort the transition from a successful prototype to a reliable mass-production supply chain requires on the part of the procurement department,“ explains Billy Schulz, Head of Sales at FACTUREE. „If the required quantities change, it’s often necessary to find and qualify new manufacturers, negotiate terms, and coordinate delivery processes—even though the component has long since been technically proven.“
The digital procurement provider FACTUREE manages the procurement of drawing parts as an end-to-end process across all project phases. Depending on the requirements, FACTUREE selects suitable manufacturing partners from its network and coordinates the entire process—from technical review through manufacturing and post-processing to quality assurance and delivery. This is made possible by a network of more than 2,000 vetted manufacturing partners. FACTUREE is ISO 9001-certified and ensures standardized quality processes throughout the entire procurement process.
Requirements change depending on the quantity
While technical feasibility, flexibility, and short lead times are the primary considerations for prototypes, reproducible quality, cost-effective unit costs, and guaranteed capacity become increasingly important as production volumes rise. In mass production, predictable logistics processes and binding call-off terms are added to the mix.
„The planned ramp-up in volume should be taken into account right from the initial inquiry,“ says Billy Schulz. „Only then can production capacities, inspection processes, and delivery routes be planned early on, so that procurement doesn’t have to start from scratch later on.“
The Right Manufacturing Approach for Every Project Phase
Depending on the requirements, FACTUREE utilizes various manufacturing partners, processes, or delivery models. Which solution makes the most sense from a technical and economic standpoint depends, among other factors, on the quantity, component geometry, material, and post-processing. The spectrum ranges from CNC-milled and turned parts to sheet metal bending parts and additively manufactured components, such as those produced using the SLM process.
To determine the ideal manufacturing approach, FACTUREE combines digital processes and AI-powered methods with personalized consulting. Digital tools support technical reviews, the selection of suitable manufacturing partners, and the comparison of processes and costs. Dedicated project managers guide the project through all its phases.
If demand increases or a manufacturing partner becomes unavailable, FACTUREE can bring in additional qualified partners from its network or distribute orders among multiple manufacturers.
Real-World Example: From Test Results Straight to the Next Assignment
Our collaboration with CeiliX Technology GmbH demonstrates how the process from prototype to mass production works in practice. With the InfinityCrane, the company is developing an automated overhead crane system for logistics and manufacturing environments. FFor prototypes and pre-production runs, CeiliX sources high-precision CNC-milled parts made from various alloys through FACTUREE – with tight tolerances, threads, Helicoils, and specific surface coatings.
Demand ranges from single units in prototype production to small-batch production for initial customer deliveries. After each development stage, insights can be directly incorporated into the next order. Changes to geometries, tolerances, or post-processing are implemented. For CeiliX, FACTUREE remains the central procurement partner throughout the entire development process, even as manufacturing partners in the background adapt to the respective project phase.
Digital Procurement Meets AI at AMB
In addition to end-to-end procurement—from prototype to mass production—FACTUREE will showcase additional approaches to modern digital procurement at AMB. Christopher Walzel, CPO and co-founder of FACTUREE, will speak on September 16 at 2:00 p.m. during WIN Verlag’s AI Expert Talk on the Trendlounge stage (East Entrance) about the value-adding use of artificial intelligence in procurement.
