Laserhub GmbH from Stuttgart is returning to NORTEC next year. The trade fair for production covers all stages of the value chain in metal processing with numerous national and international exhibiting companies. From February 3 to 5, 2026, the provider of a digital platform for the procurement process of drawing parts will showcase its current offerings at booth A4.461, hold several presentations, and participate in a panel discussion.
"We see that metal processing companies are currently very unsettled. They have to cope with increasing efficiency pressure, are unsettled by the tariff debates, and from 2026 will have to deal with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. This regulates the import of emission-intensive goods into the EU such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Companies that process metal will feel higher prices and possibly adjusted supply chains," explains Christoph Rössner, co-founder and CEO of Laserhub. "Sourcing raw materials through B2B online platforms helps reduce expensive inventory and still be production-ready in the short term. With a procurement platform, companies should benefit not only in turbulent times like these. They save a lot of time in the bidding phase and order placement and can outsource the entire procurement process thanks to reliable handling and focus on their core competencies."
Procurement platforms also for smaller companies
The importance of B2B platforms will continue to grow against this backdrop, as they allow – regardless of the current scenario – even mid-sized buyers to operate more securely and reliably, as every development can be better cushioned through the platform. A recent example is the information platform for the procurement of semiconductors initiated in Germany and approved by the Federal Cartel Office, whose unavailability has significantly slowed down several automotive manufacturers. The information platform, initiated by the industry association VDA, is intended to serve companies in the European automotive industry as a tool to offer and request remaining stocks of semiconductors.
For eight years now, Laserhub has radically simplified the procurement process for drawing parts with its platform. As a contractual partner, Laserhub covers all steps from real-time quotation to order placement, production, logistics, and invoicing. On the digital platform, orders can be placed in the areas of sheet metal cutting, bending, laser cutting of tubes, and CNC machining. Companies can thus procure not only individual parts but also entire assemblies via the B2B platform.
Laserhub itself does not have its own production but relies on the most suitable supplier from its fixed and ISO 9001 audited network for production. The identification of the suitable partner and active supplier management are carried out through a sophisticated algorithm. This links the parameters of the customers with the resources of the producers from the network for the order. The assignment of orders takes place without loss of time, which is particularly advantageous for medium-sized companies compared to conventional processes. The B2B platform offers a well-thought-out price calculation and feasibility check, which ideally matches the respective part drawings with the capacities of over 100 producers. The algorithm independently suggests the splitting of orders when it seems economically sensible, for example, when a company needs parts from many different material groups.
NORTEC as a platform for mutual exchange and discussion
"Our core topics at NORTEC, in addition to the extended and new features of our platform, are also the developments around AI in procurement and the fundamental role of procurement platforms in modern purchasing," Rössner concludes. "In terms of artificial intelligence, a lot is currently in motion, but we firmly believe that we must align our solutions primarily with the needs and wishes of our customers. Many digital procurement platforms promise more speed, transparency, and cost efficiency in industrial purchasing, but do they also stand up to this claim in practice? We want to not only highlight the potentials of data-driven platform models at NORTEC but also their limits. We would like to discuss typical challenges with trade fair visitors, such as standardization vs. individual requirements and the importance of reliable partner networks."
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