Insights & Events

Insights that move decisions

Strategy papers, industry pulse checks, articles, and podcasts from our teams, plus the events where we put them up for discussion. Everything here is written to be used, not just read.

Cover of the whitepaper "The Role of AI in Procurement" by The Procurement Initiative with H&Z | H&ZCover of the practice dossier on data-driven traffic development planning for municipalities | H&ZEnglish cover of the white paper on the fibre-optic market in Germany in transition | H&ZCover of the TTA AI Maturity Report 2026 The AI Execution Gap: From Ambition to Impact | H&ZCover of the H&Z strategy paper Defence Ramp-Up 2026, showing an armoured wheeled vehicle on a production lineCover of the whitepaper Succession in Owner-Managed CompaniesCover of the whitepaper The Timber Industry in Crisis

FEATURED INSIGHT

Defence Ramp-Up 2026

Strategy Paper

Defence Ramp-Up 2026

Europe’s defence ramp-up will be decided by industrial execution: how quickly manufacturers can scale production, strengthen the supply base and decide at the pace of demand.

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ALL INSIGHTS

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Mock-up of the H&Z study Defence Ramp-Up 2026 on a light blue background | H&Z
Strategy Paper
13.08.2026

Europe’s defence ramp-up will be decided by industrial execution: how quickly manufacturers can scale production, strengthen the supply base and decide at the pace of demand.

Print mock-up of the English fibre-optic market white paper on a light blue background | H&Z
Strategy Paper
10.08.2026

The logic of ‘homes passed’ first, monetisation later is faltering. Fibre-optic companies must reassess their operational and legal options to secure a future in the market.

Print mock-up of the traffic development practice dossier on a light blue background | H&Z
Strategy Paper
10.08.2026

Building a robust data foundation that starts taking hidden costs into account enables cities to tap into new potential for sustainable mobility planning.

Key visual showing a fighter jet and a passenger aircraft viewed from below on blue | H&Z
Pulse Check
05.08.2026

The defence boom has become a business reality. Our Q2/2026 survey shows how companies are scaling operations and turning rapid growth into lasting profitability.

Close-up of a CNC machining tool cutting metal with sparks flying | H&Z
Pulse Check
04.08.2026

Machinery and plant engineering leaders are prioritising margin, cash, and resilience. Our H1/2026 survey shows where execution still falls short.

Print mock-up of the H&Z NWC Study 2026 on a light blue background | H&Z
Study
29.07.2026

Net Working Capital rose 7% across DACH manufacturing between 2019 and 2024, driven by inventory. See where manufacturing companies can release cash and boost liquidity.

Print mock-up of the Lünendonk Industry Performance study on a light blue background | H&Z
Study
20.07.2026

This study by Lünendonk and H&Z sets out evidence-based approaches for German industry to strengthen its operational performance and build resilience.

Mock-up of the H&Z whitepaper Optimising Overhead Costs for Utility Companies on a blue background | H&Z
Strategy Paper
26.06.2026

To finance the energy transition and to maintain competitiveness, utility companies urgently need to identify and realise potential savings in overhead costs.

Mockup of the whitepaper The Timber Industry in Crisis by Haselhorst Associates
Strategy Paper
19.05.2026

The timber industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is facing a convergence of multiple crises. Companies must adapt to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Two men reviewing stock charts on a laptop and tablet | H&Z
Article
08.05.2026

Practical examples show how AI supports sourcing, contracts, spend analysis and risk monitoring, improving speed and consistency while keeping judgement.

Aerial view of a busy container port with loading cranes and stacked containers | H&Z
Article
06.05.2026

AI is moving procurement beyond manual workflows towards more reliable, scalable execution by reshaping how data, processes and decisions connect in daily operations.

3D book mockup of the whitepaper "The Role of AI in Procurement" on a light blue background | H&Z
Strategy Paper
08.04.2026

AI in procurement is moving from promise to practice. This whitepaper explores how AI adds value across the procurement chain and drives real impact.

Survey Results 2026 – study report mockup on industrial risks | H&Z
Study
07.04.2026

The newest H&Z Flash survey shows, that cost pressure is rising, EBITDA visibility is limited, and many industrial companies remain only partially prepared.

Elderly man using an ATM machine | H&Z
Study
27.03.2026

How German regional banks use customer value, productivity and integrated management to systematically leverage earnings potential in the private customer business.

AI AGENTS () – study report mockup | H&Z
Study
25.03.2026

This H&Z study compares how GenAI and AI agents perform in real tasks. It shows where performance improves, where it stabilises, and what that means for structuring knowledge work.

INDUSTRY
PULSE CHECKS

Every pulse check asks executives in one industry the same set of questions, then publishes what they told us. Because each series runs on a fixed rhythm, the editions read as a trend line rather than a single snapshot: where margins are heading, which priorities have moved up the agenda, and what is being deferred.

Pick a series to see every edition, from the current one back to the first.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Where we meet next, and what we put on the table.

Supply-chain panel discussion on trust vs. control in the new world order, H&Z event | H&Z
Event
16.09.2026
 | Munich

An invite-only roundtable for CTOs on the realities of AI adoption with focused discussions under Chatham House Rules on what creates measurable value.

Hand holding a glowing digital globe hologram connected to a network of nodes | H&Z
Event
17.09.2026
 | Munich

A SUSTAINX community event for sustainable leaders

Buyers x Builders
Event
22.09.2026
 | Munich

Builders x Buyers is an invite-only roundtable for senior procurement executives exploring what the AI shift means for their people, processes and operating models.

Cappuccino with latte art next to a pain au chocolat pastry on a wooden café table | H&Z
Event
13.10.2026
 | Munich

Business Breakfast Munich on targeting value creation in procurement.

Breakfast foods, fresh croissants and sandwiches with deli meats and
Event
13.10.2026
 | The Fable, London

A London breakfast and networking event for procurement leaders showcasing where AI is creating measurable procurement impact and which use cases are worth prioritising.

Aerial sunrise view of a busy container port with gantry cranes, ships and stacks of containers along a river | H&Z
Event
22.10.2026
 | Munich

How people and organisations regain their ability to act following crises, setbacks and defeats – and what leaders can learn from this.

ON DEMAND

Missed one? Watch it whenever it suits you.

Digital illustration of an AI brain above a rising bar chart, a truck and a container ship at a port | H&Z
Ondemand
23.07.2026
 | Webinar

Learn how companies are using AI to optimize inventory, unlock working capital, and manage their supply chains more intelligently. Gain exclusive insights from the H&Z Net Working

Digital process icons for analysis, teamwork, automation and quality control overlaid on a factory production line | H&Z
Ondemand
07.07.2026
 | Webinar

This webinar shows automotive suppliers how to optimize the RFQ-to-SOP process through smarter operations, AI-driven decision-making, and best practices to boost speed, competitive

Digital collage of a satellite, world map, warship and aircraft under maintenance in a hangar | H&Z
Ondemand
26.05.2026
 | Webinar

How mechanical and plant engineering companies can seize new opportunities in the defence industry, build delivery capability, and systematically qualify for defence value chains.

EVENT RECAPS

What was said, who was there, and what came out of it.

Procurement Summit and Sustainability Summit logo overlaid on a busy exhibition hall with attendees | H&Z
Recap
24.06.2026
 - 25.06.2026
 | Hamburg

The platform for sustainable sourcing and future-ready procurement.

Simplifier company logo on a dark network-themed background, widescreen version | H&Z
Recap
16.06.2026
 - 17.06.2026
 | Würzburg

At the simplifier MX 2026, our experts shared insights into finding your path to an AI-first procurement organisation.

Coupa Inspire event logo on a blue background with an abstract iridescent shape | H&Z
Recap
10.06.2026
 | Frankfurt am Main

As a proud sponsor and Coupa partner, H&Z subsidiary aneon is delighted to be part of the Coupa Inspire World Tour 2026.

IN THE ROOM

Impressions from our events.

Client work

PROOF, NOT PROMISES

Every story on the client work page names the situation, the decision, and what changed afterwards. With the numbers that changed, and the people who lived through it.

Three MacGregor workers in high-visibility jackets observing crane equipment at a shipyard | H&Z
Success Story
 

How MacGregor established an independent procurement function that delivered savings above target, strengthened governance and positioned procurement as a strategic contributor.

Exterior view of the HARTING office building with a curved wood-panelled entrance canopy | H&Z
Success Story
 

How HARTING strengthened operational resilience across its global production, logistics and IT landscape, building the capability to protect value creation.

keenfinity building | H&Z
Success Story
 

How Keenfinity Group built an independent procurement function after the €1bn Bosch carve-out, delivering EBITDA impact above plan within the first standalone phase.

Explore client work

LET’S TALK ABOUT IMPACT

If you are facing a decision that requires more than good ideas, we should talk.