The global CEO of BSH, Dr Carla Kriwet, has assured retailers it is doing all it can to minimise stock shortages but admitted they were likely to continue.
In an exclusive interview with kbbreview, Kriwet acknowledged the supply chain issues that have blighted the appliance industry since the beginning of the pandemic and revealed, specifically, how BSH was dealing with the ongoing situation.
BSH includes Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau and Neff in its portfolio of brands.
“The supply situation has been caused by the sudden hike in consumer demand, and production sites having to shut down for a time, alongside a shortage of electrical components and materials like steel and plastic. These all hit in one go,” she said. “BSH is doing comparably well. Why? Because we have production sites in 38 countries, so we are not as constricted as some and can manage production a little easier.”
During the interview, Kriwet warned retailers that the issues were likely to continue but explained how BSH was doing everything it could to support retailers through the situation.
“I would love to be able to announce here, that the stock shortage is over. However, we do see these supply issues continuing,” she said. “What I would like to do is reassure our retail partners that we are doing all we can to minimise disruption to them and their customers.”
She also went on to highlight the importance of independent retailers to the global business and how it would continue to maintain close relationships with its dealers in the UK.
“Retailers have always been a huge part of the BSH journey, but, as we evolve to become a more consumer-centric organisation, they are more important to us than ever,” she said. “Independents are so close to their customer base that they truly understand them and their changing needs. We want to tap into that knowledge and expertise and that is why we understand that a close collaboration with our partners is key, because we can learn a lot from them.”
Kriwet’s response to the industry’s supply chain challenges comes just days after kbbreview revealed that more than half of retailers think that the issues are getting worse.
• For the full interview with BSH global CEO Dr Carla Kriwet, see the September issue of kbbreview