Studie: Einkaufsbarometer Mittelstand 2025

STUDY

SME PROCUREMENT BAROMETER 2025:

SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT AS A STRATEGIC LEVER FOR RESILIENCE, EFFICIENCY AND GROWTH

Global uncertainties, regulatory requirements and rising expectations of sustainability are challenging SMEs – especially in procurement. Our latest study shows that companies that rely on digital platform solutions and data-based supplier relationships secure decisive competitive advantages.

In collaboration with the Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME) and the ESB Business School, we surveyed over 350 purchasing managers from European SMEs. The results provide a clear view of the status quo – and of what counts now.

KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE STUDY

ONLY 1 OF 4

companies currently use a platform to collaborate with suppliers – despite its high relevance for resilience and efficiency..

ALMOST 60 %

see a lack of time and human resources as the biggest hurdle to digitizing their supplier processes.

MORE THAN 75 %

of companies have recorded significant additional costs due to disrupted supply chains.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE SME PROCUREMENT BAROMETER 2025

SUPPLIER INTEGRATION DETERMINES GROWTH

88.6%

of companies see the ability to integrate new suppliers quickly and efficiently as a key growth driver. Especially in volatile markets, smooth onboarding is a prerequisite for the ability to act and innovate.

DIGITALIZATION REMAINS CRITICAL – ESPECIALLY IN SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT

80,6 %

see supplier management as the area with the greatest need for digitalization. Manual, fragmented work still dominates – centralized platforms and automated processes would be the key to efficiency and transparency.

Source: SME Procurement Barometer 2025 | Onventis, BME & ESB Business School

ABOUT THE PURCHASING BAROMETER

In its 7th anniversary edition, the study is dedicated to analyze tensions between digitalization activities and the current priorities of purchasing teams.

It provides an up-to-date picture of the procurement agenda in European SMEs, looks at the tools used, identifies weaknesses and thus potential for optimizing procurement.

The results are intended to support purchasing managers in making B2B purchasing ready for the future. Find out how digitalized European procurement organizations really are, which trends are currently driving the SME procurement market the most and how you can set up your procurement digitally and, above all, sustainably.

Download the free study now and use the insights gained to refine your procurement strategy!