FAQ
Answers to your questions
In what kind of business is TABEL and where are they?
TABEL Group is a leading service provider in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in the production-related environment from process analysis to project conception to order implementation or support.
With our services in the field of industrial services, namely the cleaning and maintenance of machines and systems, we make important contributions to achieving the productivity goals of our customers as part of their total productive maintenance.
We work nationwide and regardless of location. TABEL Group coordinates its activities from the company headquarters in Laatzen/Hanover and sets up its project locations with the appropriate structure (machinery, equipment, personnel) at the customers. There are currently approximately 30 of these specific on sites.
Where can you find TABEL?
We work nationwide and regardless of location, usually in our customers' production halls (in-house). We coordinate our activities from the company headquarters in Laatzen / Hanover and set up the project locations (on-sites) with the appropriate structure in terms of machines, operating resources and personnel for our customers.
What is business process outsourcing?
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) means the outsourcing of business processes by a company to third parties. These can be both core and marginal processes. Often it is so-called "supportive" processes for our customers that are not part of their core competence. Outsourcing can take place in-house (onshore) or externally (nearshore, offshore).
In the first variant, TABEL supports on-site, i.e. in his customers' production halls. Typical areas that companies outsource there are parts of production, assembly and internal logistics. With external outsourcing, certain activities are not carried out in customer operations, but outside in halls rented by us. Such a step can e.g. be useful if a lack of space prevents an internal company solution or outsourcing cannot be implemented in your own company.
Why do companies outsource business processes?
There are many reasons why companies outsource certain business processes to external service providers. In our more than 30 years of experience, the following four main goals have accompanied us:
- Improve quality, reduce costs, give up risks, focus on core competencies.
Most of our customers pursue all four goals at the same time, but with different weightings. In principle, this can be done in different ways:
- Increase productivity, continuously improve processes, ensure stability, increase flexibility, create reliability.
How does TABEL ensure that these goals are achieved?
We question the existing to make the future better sustainable. We succeed with a lot of experience, proven methods, full of transparency and well thought-out concepts. We leave nothing to chance: We systematically develop productivity increases and process improvements with the help of suitable production methods and tools. In the course of our company history, we have developed our own philosophy and system that take into account the typical features of our customers' production systems (e.g. TPS, Lean, Six Sigma, TPM / OEE, SFM).
What is the relationship between the BPO and the work contract?
The contract for work is the legal construct on the basis of which the in-house outsourcing is carried out. What a contract for work is, is in §631 BGB (legal dimension). It differs significantly from a service contract in that a defined success of the service, and not just its provision, is owed by the contractor.
The organizational component describes how outsourcing in the work contract is to be carried out in compliance with the law. Outsourcing through a work contract is not the exception in the German economy, but the rule: According to a research study (2017) for the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 91 percent of companies are in some form or other work contractors - 68 percent of them in production areas.
What should you pay attention to when outsourcing?
Activities can not only be outsourced to external service providers through a contract for work, but also through temporary employment. The client and the contractor must take great care to ensure that the legal framework is observed by both companies, so that work does not take place in the so-called dummy contract or in concealed temporary employment.
These include Service descriptions, interface definitions, no personnel mix. Furthermore, within the framework of the legal regulations, care must be taken to ensure that no transfer of operations takes place when the relevant area is handed over or taken over (§613a BGB).
What is the difference between a work contract and a temporary employment agency?
In the case of AÜ (temporary work), the client borrows personnel from a personnel service provider and instructs the leasing staff as well as his own employees. Neither the temporary employment agency nor the temporary worker are liable for possible damage unless they were caused intentionally or through gross negligence. In outsourcing via a work contract (BPO), the contractor is liable for non-performance and for possible damage to products, machines or parts of buildings.
This is also the reason why the client is not authorized to give instructions to the employees of the contractor, otherwise he would influence his performance (both negative and positive). To put it simply, one could say that the client pays for presence in temporary work and for performance in the contract. While temporary employment is remunerated according to agreed hourly wage rates, the performance wage applies to the work contract (money per unit, e.g. pieces, kg). The latter is a great lever for productivity increases. Finally, the subordinate liability of the user company should be mentioned. If the personnel service provider does not pay social security contributions or does not pay them in full, the client is liable to the corresponding extent.
Do work contracts destroy jobs in Germany?
Outsourcing through work contracts helps to keep jobs in Germany. Alternatives for companies with insufficient competitiveness would be to relocate their activities abroad or, in the worst case, to close the company. In these cases, not only the jobs affected would be at risk, but also all others who are in some way dependent on them - including jobs in other companies. Moving jobs abroad diminishes our economic performance (gross domestic product), which in turn has an impact on our society and its prosperity.
Sounds convincing. How can I imagine that?
You have further questions?
It's a pleasure!
Christian Winter
Head of corporate communications
Telephone: +49 (0) 511 86004-16
E-Mail: christian.winter@tabel.com