Today over 320 alumni from 11 nationalities and companies such as :
 
ABB, Alcatel, Autoliv, Aventis Pharma, Bic, Borealis, BMW, Caterpillar, Deutsche Bank,
Du Pont De Nenours,  Essilor,   Euro Disney,  GE Energy Products,  Heineken, Holcim,
John Deere, IBM, Kodak, Nortel Dasa,  Nutraco, P&O Nedlloyd,  Pharmacia & Upjohn,
Pirelli, SAFT,  SC Johnson, Schneider, Siemens, Snamprogretti, Snecma, TotalFinaElf,
Umicore, Valeo, Vivendi Universal, … 
 

Krister Fagerstolt is currently the supply manager for East Europe with the Borealis Group. He is responsible for local and down stream sourcing. His responsibilities also include the building of the global procurement network for maintenance and technical services.

With an educational background in engineering, Mr Fagerstolt started his career in R&D where he worked for 5 years as catalyst research in Oil Refining Business. Later moved to operations for another 5 years as plant engineer and manager. Assumed role as project management for large investments after which joined purchasing department as purchasing manager for Borealis.

What led you to participate in the Certified Advanced Purchasing Course (CAPC) for Purchasing Managers?
“I wanted to understand the different aspects of purchasing in a procurement environment and to gain a better overview of commercial issues and corporate strategies. I also wanted to gain “soft skills” in management to know how to manage the competencies of my team.”

Your Experience
“A Professional learning experience. The course gave me a lot of useful tools and Best Practices from real life case studies which is applicable. There was also useful cross learning through shared experiences with the other participants from different industries. Two weeks is just right to gain the knowledge I was looking for.”

Professional Impact
“The course gave me more confidence in what we do and the strategic choices we make. Throughout the course, I took the opportunity to present what we were doing at work and took this chance to verify with the Professors. With the feedback I receive I feel assured that we are on the right track. The knowledge learnt during the CAPC PM course are good tools to improve company behaviour and make progress in the purchasing activities. In fact Borealis will send more purchasing managers for this course so that there is alliance thinking to align procurement strategies methodologically throughout the organisation. Finally the course also provided me with the soft skills to be a better manager.”

Krister Fagerstolt
Procurement Manager East Europe
Borealis Group – Finland 

Participant Insights

Massimo Pini is the Purchasing Manager of Caterpillar. Trained in Engineering with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering he started as buyer in Caterpillar Italy and today, with four years experience in Purchasing he belongs to a business unit of 350 people. As part of his responsibilities, he manages a portfolio of 100 million euros and is responsible for a team of 7 buyers. He will soon be promoted to management level, taking part of the overall administration and council of the company.

What were your Expectations of the Certified Advanced Purchasing Course (CAPC) for Purchasing Managers?
The training should equip me with the right tools and skills in managing as I have no prior experience or training in management. For e.g.: “How to coach or mentor your staff for the overall development of the business.”

Your Experience

Effective training course. The professors have a good overall knowledge and understanding of the business. The course helps in my career planning by giving me a broader perspective of the business. It equips you to look at the business not as a black box but with a more open mindset.

Being a manager it is difficult to leave the company for too long a period hence the duration of the course is important. I feel that two weeks is just right, I studied during the day and worked during the night, this format accommodated with my schedule.

Impact after the Course
After the course I utilised the input learnt in class to develop the TCO tool at work. In addition I applied the managerial skills learnt, today I am aware of the different techniques to manage and deal with people. In particular, it is helpful to know how to manage the various competencies of people. The course is also a bonus to add to my existing CV.

Would you recommend this course to others?
Yes definitely, especially if you have at least one year’s managerial experience. That obviously comes with at minimum 5-6 years experience as a purchaser. You need this experience as a manager to be first aware of the issues that are eventually discussed during the course. This way it is easier to apply the skills learnt when you finish the course.

Mr Massimo Pini
Purchasing Site Director
Caterpillar 

Participant Insights

Francis Duflot was at the time of the course the Purchasing Manager in KSB France, he has in total 7 years of experience in purchasing. Before joining Purchasing, he had previously worked in Research & development and the quality department.

Company’s approach towards training and education.
All employees undergo general training in company premises. However, the opportunity to attend professional courses like the CAPC was privileged for selected purchasing managers.

What led you to participate in the Certified Advanced Purchasing Course (CAPC) for Purchasing Managers?
“Being in charge of the whole factory operations came with it enlarged responsibilities, hence I wanted to enlarge my knowledge in purchasing and gain different point of views. Although I had a formal training in purchasing, that was in the beginning of my career in purchasing seven years ago in Paris. Hence I was looking for a course that could refresh my memory in theory and also to be updated on the latest tools and techniques in purchasing.

Your Experience
“I am satisfied and felt the course met my expectations, especially the tools which I learnt in class. In particular was the Creagie Matrix, which I find very applicable and useful in my current job. Information on company strategies and its consequences on purchasing was also very useful.

Peer Participation
I was very surprised to find out that other purchasing managers who participated in the CAPC PM course did completely different activities and responsibilities. I discovered that a purchasing manager’s role can be very wide.

Professional Impact:
The course had enlarged his point of view of his job, gained new perspectives on how he could do his job differently through the shared experiences with peers. He applies the Creagie Matrix in making decisions, and also taught his team on this particular tool, which has enhanced the efficiency in making decisions. Overall, he gained a better understanding of companies in general especially in terms of company strategies.

Would you recommend this course to others?
Yes definitely, especially for Purchasing Managers who are responsible for managing a team.

FRANCIS DUFLOT
KSB France
Purchasing Director