Question: How do you feel when looking back at the past two decades?
Reflecting on the last 20 years fills me with great pride and gratitude. It has been an exciting journey filled with challenges (such as the 2008/2009 real estate crisis and the Corona pandemic), loyal customer partnerships, and significant achievements. We have managed to establish ANP’s name in the international arena, regularly working with some of the world’s best and most renowned companies, such as Bain & Company, Hyundai, Porsche, Siemens, Rational AG, VW, and many others. At the same time, I see considerable potential in our global network to continue growing in the future.
Question: What inspired you to found ANP Management Consulting? What was and still is your motivation?
Primarily, it was the drive and passion to help companies succeed through well-founded market information and strategic advice. This mission drives me and my teams of consultants every day. Additionally, I wanted to be independent as a consultant and no longer waste time in unnecessary meetings and with, at times, incompetent project managers. It was time to make my own decisions. With ANP, I was able to realize this vision by providing our clients with 100% service and incredibly fast response times.
Question: Were there any challenges you had to overcome to establish yourself in the market?
Absolutely. The most difficult part initially was building credibility and trust in a highly competitive market, despite ANP’s unique selling points. Fortunately, we quickly overcame this phase by consistently delivering high-quality projects, gradually building our top references. Global clients demand services in local languages, so the expansion of a global, qualified network of employees and strategic partners was a key task. Today, this ensures that we can guarantee the same level of quality worldwide, regardless of countries and regions. ANP staffs each project with the necessary experts according to the specific requirements of the project task, unlike many competitors.
Question: What fascinates you most about working in market and competitive analysis?
I have always been fascinated by obtaining information that our clients do not have or cannot gather themselves. This requires passion and perseverance to piece together all the puzzle pieces into a successful overall project.
Question: In summary, what solutions do you offer your clients? Could you provide one or two examples of how your analyses have helped a client make strategic decisions?
ANP offers tailored research and analysis solutions, uncovering and evaluating market, competitive, and technology trends. This includes market analyses of market size and development, competitive analyses to compare market positions, KPIs, costs, organization, roles and responsibilities, as well as identifying and evaluating the actions of the market, competitors, and customers. We offer 360-degree strategic B2B marketing on a global level, complemented by proven methodologies in secondary and primary market research, including expert interviews.
Client 1: We provided a comprehensive analysis of the dealer and competitive landscape for an automotive manufacturer in thirty countries. Based on our data, the client was able to establish their own strategic dealer network plan for 2030.
Client 2: For one of the top five interior suppliers, we conducted a location analysis in eight countries concerning fifty cost criteria. As a result, the client received a valid, clear, and transparent basis for decision-making, enabling them to determine the optimal location for a new plant.
Client 3: In another case, we conducted M&A target screening and competitive analysis of potential acquisition candidates for a supplier in six countries. As a result, the client selected a target and successfully achieved inorganic growth.
Client 4: For a client in the medical technology sector, we analyzed various supply chains in the USA. The goal was to reassess volumes, profitability, and market shares.
Question: Can you give an example of „not easily accessible information“? Can you outline the „proprietary“ methods you use?
An example of „not easily accessible information“ includes detailed financial performance data of non-publicly listed companies in niche markets, organizational structures, specific product costs, and sales/revenue volumes of competitors in various countries with complex supply chain structures. To obtain such information, we have built a broad network of industry experts, scientists, and other knowledge holders over the years. We also conduct expert interviews and utilize specialized MI/CI methods to generate unique insights and assessments of market and technology trends, often in an investigative manner.
Question: Who is your target audience, and why do they rely on external expertise?
Our clients are primarily industrial companies from a wide range of industries, from upper mid-sized businesses to large corporations. Many companies have their own market research or business intelligence departments but encounter capacity and/or methodological limitations when tackling strategic issues. In such cases, we step in with additional resources and our industry and methodological expertise. We can conduct analyses more quickly, in greater depth, and often more objectively than internal teams. This ensures that clients can make the right decisions and avoid bad investments based on the project results.
Question: Which industries do you primarily serve, and why? Which industries have been added? Are there any industries you find personally exciting and would like to further penetrate?
We are broadly diversified, with project experience in over 20 industries. A key focus is the automotive sector and all related industries along the automotive value chain, where we are strongly anchored and have built deep expertise. We find industries with high innovation dynamics, such as medical technology, the chemical and electronics industries, and software and AI, very exciting. We see potential to further expand our position in these sectors.
Question: How has the market for researchers and analysts changed, both generally and specifically for ANP?
The market has become more data-driven and technology-oriented, with increasing demand for monitoring services and forward-looking analyses. Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of market and competitive analyses for strategic alignment but often cut corners in the wrong places and then have to bear the consequences of missed market opportunities. Overall, the demand for our services has grown significantly over the past 20 years, with increasing project size and complexity.
Question: What role does the current world (keyword: VUCA) play?
The various changes and disruptions create significant strategic uncertainty for our clients and make long-term planning more difficult. The VUCA world requires more primary market research, accurately collected data/information, and sound analyses. Our services are designed to help our clients manage this complexity by providing clarity and foresight, enabling them to remain competitive and resilient.
Question: To what extent do digital tools and AI impact your business? Are they a relief or competition?
Many start-ups in the field of AI are currently trying to enter the market intelligence market. We use AI for ramp-up in less complex projects when needed. However, competent clients will recognize that AI and so-called intelligence platforms/plazas have clear limitations in the field of market intelligence. For example, an AI cannot independently identify local interview partners or conduct expert interviews (80%-90% of our projects require exactly this) or decide which screenshot is really important for the client. At the same time, I do not believe that AI can replace consulting services in the foreseeable future. The contextualization of analysis results within a client’s context and the derivation of strategic recommendations require industry understanding, experience, and intuition, which AI cannot provide. However, in combination with human resources, I see great potential for better decision-making.
Question: What is your connection to the Essen location and the MEO region?
Essen is, first and foremost, home and the headquarters of my company, ANP, which I founded here 20 years ago. I appreciate the Ruhr region as an economic and innovation hub, with excellent universities, a diverse corporate landscape, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. From Essen, we serve clients throughout Germany and beyond, benefiting from the central location and good infrastructure. However, the MEO region plays only a limited role in the global dynamic environment of our clients. We are proud to be part of this community and contribute to its economic development.
Mr. Nagel, thank you for the interview, and I wish you much success and all the best for the next 20 years!
Thank you very much – we will do our best!
