Mercell Takes Procurement Processes to New Heights at Cologne Bonn Airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is one of Germany’s leading commercial airports, handling over 10 million passengers and 840,000 tons of air freight annually. The airport plays a central role in the logistics of North Rhine-Westphalia, being the only airport in Germany where the 3 major express carriers UPS, FedEx, and DHL operate a hub. The airport is an important economic factor and one of the largest employers in the region, with around 15,000 employees in 130 companies and authorities on site, of which more than 1,800 work directly for the airport company. 
 As a key logistics center, efficiency is crucial. However, its procurement processes were outdated, slow, and difficult to manage under strict public sector regulations.

 

A Major Hub in Need of Modernisation

Before Mercell, the airport’s procurement was burdened by excessive paperwork and regulatory complexity. 

The application of the Sector Ordinance (SektVO) law for public procurement in the field of transport was complex and time-consuming, especially due to the large number of documents and declarations required from potential bidders. Collaboration with the departments that define the services to be procured was often hampered by misunderstandings and communication barriers. In addition, the confusing "PDF exchange" led to significant inefficiencies.

The previous systems did not provide the airport with a usable function for creating and operating dynamic procurement systems (DPS). Unified process mapping without media disruption and the ability to easily create the required publications were key criteria that the previous systems could not meet. This prompted the airport to look for an alternative solution.

The lack of a dynamic procurement system, inefficient communication, and reliance on manual PDF exchanges caused delays and confusion. Procurement cycles took months, limiting agility in sourcing critical services.

 

The Solution: A Seamless, Digital Procurement Platform

To modernise its processes, the airport selected Mercell for its fully digital and intuitive Dynamic Purchasing System. With Mercell, procurement became streamlined, communication barriers were eliminated, and all steps—from bid management to evaluation—became faster and more transparent.

“Mapping ourprocurement processes in a fully digital environment gives us the freedom to focus on our core missions and goals: purchasing and driving innovation.”

 

70% Faster Procurement and Enhanced Efficiency

With Mercell, procurement lead times dropped dramatically. EU procedures that previously took 2–2.5 months were completed in just three weeks. Communication between procurement teams and departments improved, and bidders found the system user-friendly.

The first DPS implementation for staffing procurement proved highly efficient, setting the stage for future digital procurement expansion. The positive feedback from project participants highlights the success of Mercell’s digital-first approach.

“The modern, intuitive digital experience of the Mercell platform is a quantum leap from previous solutions.”

Implementation and training were very smooth and intuitive. The experienced project and support team understood the requirements and problems of the client and offered practical and innovative solutions.