Materials as a Service – from tons to solutions

Early shift in a large production hall: the humming of the machines sets a steady pulse throughout the room, the display at the control station is green. And yet there is tension in the air, because reliable cycle times are no longer a given in industry. Geopolitical uncertainties, unreliable supply chains, volatile raw material supplies – today’s manufacturers are no longer concerned solely with the best price, but also with materials, safety, controllability and speed. This is exactly where our “Materials as a Service” (MaaS) strategy comes in: a change of perspective that no longer sees materials as mere commodities, but as an ongoing service – from source to solution – so that our customers can concentrate on their core business.

What exactly is MaaS?

MaaS represents a paradigm shift. Physical materials remain the foundation – steel, aluminum, plastics, and non-ferrous metals in the required specifications – but value is increasingly generated by how these materials are procured, stored, processed and transported, and increasingly by data-based services that forecast demand, make supply chains transparent and anticipate risks. Tons become solutions, individual transactions become partnerships, and unknowns in the supply chain become digital transparency. Bits replace tons as value drivers because precise information about availability, specification compliance, CO2 footprints or how long materials actually last ultimately determines whether a line runs or stands still.

How thyssenkrupp Materials Services implements MaaS

Since 2019, we have been expanding our integrated offering specifically at the interface between materials manufacturers and customers in the processing industry. Our Distribution & Trading business unit ensures global access and availability – with the ability to deliver materials where they are needed, including processing and custom packaging. Processing delivers customized processing from cutting to (CNC) manufacturing (computerized numerical control) in North America and Europe, with industrial capacity and logistics tailored to customer requirements. Solutions orchestrates the entire supply chain as a 3PL/4PL partner – with digital solutions and AI-supported tools for strategic planning, demand forecasting, and holistic materials management. In this way, thyssenkrupp Materials Services creates added value for customers by actively managing availability, quality and sustainability instead of leaving them to chance.

Real-time transparency: Data becomes controllability

The strength of MaaS is particularly evident in volatile times. Geopolitical tensions, crises, and bottlenecks increase complexity – it is no longer enough to know the price at the end of the month. It is crucial that the right material is in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity – always. thyssenkrupp Materials Services creates real-time transparency across supply chains: dashboards replace PDF attachments, traceability extends to the batch level, CO2 information accompanies every delivery, and early indicators reveal bottlenecks before they arise. With its Global Control Tower, thyssenkrupp Materials Services coordinates supplies for a leading aircraft manufacturer from more than 700 suppliers worldwide – with a live view of disruptions, alternative routes and priorities. This makes supply chains more predictable, resilient, and flexible and keeps production lines running smoothly.

MaaS is changing the economics of the materials business: integrated quality assurance in the process reduces waste, guaranteed availability, and defined response times minimize downtime.

Size meets agility: Reach that makes an impact

The particular strength of thyssenkrupp Materials Services lies in its combination of size and agility. As a global market leader, the company links around 150,000 products with approximately 380 locations worldwide – and complements this reach with the speed of a digital solution provider. For customers, this means less complexity, greater efficiency, and more flexible and resilient supply chains that keep pace with the dynamics of the markets.

MaaS demonstrates its value in the sum of many details: demand is predicted based on data, transport chains are shortened and bundled, CO2 profiles make sustainability measurable and verifiable, and storage space is reduced without jeopardizing security of supply. Those who control the entire supply chain from a single source recognize risks earlier, remedy deviations more quickly, and plan alternatives proactively. This is not a buzzword, but an operational promise – and the reason why more and more industrial customers are looking for partners, not just suppliers.