Automotive Consulting

Securing competitiveness: Automotive transformation, restructuring, and performance improvement for OEMs and suppliers.

Contact us

Driving transformation together. Strengthening competitiveness for the long term.

The automotive industry is undergoing the most significant transformation in its history. Electrification, software-defined vehicles, new competitors from China, volatile supply chains, and increasing cost and margin pressures are fundamentally changing the rules of the game for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. At the same time, the demands for innovation, speed, and operational excellence are rising. Companies must further develop existing business models, optimize production networks, drive digitalization, and successfully navigate the transition to electric mobility.

However, this trend also presents OEMs and suppliers with significant opportunities to actively shape the transformation and strategically build on their strengths. At the same time, many companies face the challenge of balancing short-term profit targets with long-term transformation.

That’s exactly where we pick up with our clients:

Together, we develop customized solutions tailored to your specific challenges. We view strategy, operations, finance, and organization as interconnected factors for success. By combining transformation with measurable improvements in results, we work together to lay the foundation for sustainable success.

With our core expertise in the automotive sector, we help OEMs and suppliers successfully implement strategic transformations, sustainably improve operational performance, and ensure financial stability.

Successfully Managing Financial
Restructuring and Turnarounds

Tailored consulting services for automotive 
manufacturers and suppliers

The challenges facing the automotive industry vary depending on a company’s position in the value chain. OEMs and suppliers face different strategic, operational, and financial challenges — but they all need the ability to successfully implement transformation and ensure long-term competitiveness.

Original Equipment Manufacturer

OEMs face the challenge of managing both transformation and profitability at the same time. In addition to the shift toward electrification, software-defined vehicles, new competitors from China, and rising investment requirements are becoming increasingly significant.

We provide targeted support to automotive manufacturers to help them successfully advance their strategy, operations, and digital transformation, and to strengthen their competitiveness in the long term.

Automotive Supply Industry

Suppliers are facing significant pressure to transform. Electric mobility, volatile order volumes, rising costs, and new market demands require the adaptation of existing business models and value chains.

We help suppliers successfully implement restructuring measures, improve their performance, and effectively manage their transformation.

How we support OEMs and suppliers in their transformation

With our range of expertise, we help OEMs and suppliers successfully implement transformations and improve their operational performance. We integrate strategic considerations with operational implementation to deliver measurable improvements across the entire value chain. In our areas of expertise, we draw on extensive project experience and best practices from the automotive industry.

Automotive Kompetenz
Strategy

A good strategy is characterized by clear objectives, thorough market analysis, and the ability to adapt flexibly.

Automotive Kompetenz
Data Driven Process Optimization 

Digitalization, AI, and software-defined vehicles are increasingly shaping the competitiveness of the automotive industry.

Automotive Kompetenz
Transformation –
Supplier Turnaround

Effectively manage challenges in supplier turnaround and achieve sustainable improvements — with Horn & Company.

Automotive Kompetenz
Customer Excellence

Our expertise in sales and customer excellence ensures you a sustainable competitive edge and maximizes your profitability.

Automotive Kompetenz
Organisation & Transformation

Horn & Company is your partner for successful reorganization and sustainable efficiency programs.

Automotive Kompetenz
Maintenance

We optimize your maintenance operations for the long term, making them efficient and future-proof.

Automotive Kompetenz
Procurement

Horn & Company is your partner for expert procurement consulting and the sustainable optimization of your financial performance.

Automotive Kompetenz
Restructuring

Horn & Company is your specialist in crisis management and restructuring consulting.

Automotive Kompetenz
Production Footprint

Horn & Company helps you develop and implement the production footprint that’s right for you.

Automotive Kompetenz
Supplier Readiness Health Check

Our Supplier Readiness Health Check ensures a consistent supply during product launch and mass production.

Turnaround and
Financial Restructuring

How can companies finance their transformation, secure liquidity, and strengthen their competitiveness at the same time? Our publications provide insights, methodologies, and best practices from successful transformation projects.

Explore your potential

Meet our automotive experts

Our experts combine in-depth industry expertise with extensive hands-on experience gained from a wide range of consulting projects and leadership roles. Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation, one-on-one discussion about the current challenges facing your company.

Experten
Dr. Marc Heinisch

Managing Partner

E-Mail

More
EXPERTEN
Dr. Henning Bruns

Managing Partner USA

E-Mail

More
EXPERTEN
Dr. Ing. Christoph Skudelny

Partner

E-Mail

More
EXPERTEN
Carsten Freiherr von Hadeln

Associate Partner

E-Mail

More

Shaping the Automotive Transformation Together

The transformation of the automotive industry presents OEMs and suppliers with complex challenges, but at the same time opens up new opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness. Successful OEMs and suppliers create transparency regarding their key value drivers, prioritize the relevant areas for action, and consistently implement changes. This leads to sustainable improvements in earnings, cash flow, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Together, we identify potential, successfully implement transformation, and achieve sustainable results — from strategy to operational execution.

Here’s how our turnaround programs have made a difference in client projects:

Lead Time
Overall Equipment Effectiveness
Inventory
Structural Costs
EBITDA

Talk to our Automotive Experts

Are you looking to strengthen your competitive edge, launch a transformation program, or identify specific opportunities in operations, supply chain, finance, or strategy? We help OEMs and suppliers successfully implement transformation, sustainably improve performance, and actively shape the future of mobility.

What's Moving the Auto Industry Right Now

In addition to their project work, our experts regularly publish articles and studies offering the latest insights for the automotive industry.

PubliCation
Order postponements are weighing on profit margins

Postponed launches and delayed projects are increasingly weighing on the automotive industry’s profitability. Find out what steps companies should take now.

More
PubliCation
Automotive Suppliers in Crisis

Rising cost pressures, volatile markets, and technological shifts pose significant challenges for suppliers. We highlight ways in which companies can ensure their long-term viability.

More
PubliCation
Diversification for automotive suppliers

Why diversification is becoming a strategic necessity for many suppliers. Learn how new markets and business areas can contribute to long-term stability.

More
PubliCation
China Speed

What can European companies learn from the speed of their Chinese competitors? We show how to increase agility without sacrificing proven strengths.

More
PubliCation
Continuously improve supplier performance 

How can supply chains be stabilized and risks identified early on? The H&C Supplier Improvement Program demonstrates how OEMs and suppliers can help their suppliers achieve sustainable growth. 

More
PubliCation
Innovation and Increased Efficiency at JOYSONQUIN

Learn how JOYSONQUIN achieved sustainable efficiency gains by optimizing OEE, production layout, and global footprint.

More
PubliCation
Cost Deployment – Creating Value Instead of Just Cutting Costs

Want to reduce costs without compromising customer value? We’ll show you how cost deployment works as a strategic tool.

More
PubliCation
Availability is the key to business success

Discover the potential of the aftermarket. How can you balance capital tied up in spare parts inventory with customer satisfaction?

More
PubliCation
The Future of Glass Roofs in the Automotive Industry: How the Yield for High-Tech Panoramic Roofs Was Doubled 

Sustainable process optimization through innovative solutions in the automotive glass industry.

More
PubliCation
Seamless Cash-Driven Enterprise: Challenges in Order Processing

How to achieve cross-functional optimization — and what value it adds.

More
PubliCation
Why German engineering is no longer enough 

Why incremental improvements are no longer enough. What approaches are involved in an end-to-end transformation of the product development process.

More
PubliCation
Europe's automotive industry at a turning point: How end-to-end processes can help overcome the crisis

End-to-end processes lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs while also boosting a company's flexibility.

More

In our publications section you will find further blog articles as well as personal expert assessments and practical white papers with valuable insights.

Discover more industries & areas of transformation

Industrial Goods
Process Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods