Program of Procurement Forum 2025

Globalization was already showing signs of slowing before the pandemic, and then came Donald Trump’s second term and his “most beautiful word in the dictionary” – tariffs. How might this new world of rising protectionism redraw the map of global trade and redirect global supply chains? And can open, trade-oriented economies such as the Czech Republic – and the EU as a whole – adapt to this new environment? The presentation will focus on the impacts of the changing global trade order on the economic outlook and developments in commodity markets, including key risks and opportunities in procurement and supply chains.

When electricity prices were breaking records, we faced a choice: remain dependent, or take energy into our own hands. At Ton, by investing in our own energy, we gained greater self-sufficiency and, thanks to storage, the ability to manage consumption according to price. This brought us not only independence from suppliers, but also the flexibility we need every day in energy management. Discover how procurement can turn a routine cost into a discipline of stability and flexibility.

Vinyl records are among premium products, where every deviation in input material affects the final product experience. The brand guarantees absolute quality with its reputation – and procurement must ensure this quality. What challenges does it face, and what factors influence the price and availability of PVC, the key commodity for production? And is it even possible to replace this material with an alternative of lower carbon footprint without compromising listening quality?

How can waste management be transformed from a loss-making to a profitable system in just six months? Jakub Chalupecký, CFO of Košík.cz, together with Cyril Klepek, founder of Cyrkl, will share how a bold step enabled Košík.cz to set up more efficient procurement processes and make better partner selections.

Two years ago, Kofola entered the world of brewing. Come and discover the unexpected surprises that awaited in a culturally and operationally different environment, how an entirely new procurement department was built, and what this year-long experience revealed about the functioning of Kofola’s procurement.

The outputs of procurement fundamentally influence the functioning of the entire company – they affect every department and shape its results. Yet the role of procurement within the organization is not always fully appreciated. Take away a simple method for better “selling” the results of your work inside the company. Learn how to turn everyday work into meaningful stories: what to share, how to write it down, where to publish it, and how to keep it going. No “PR glitter,” but honest know-how that will help you become a natural ambassador, even if self-promotion isn’t your style.

The relationship between sales and procurement is often perceived as a rivalry between two sides. But is that really the right approach? In reality, both sides operate under the same business principles. In my talk, I will show several of these principles – and also how they can be applied directly in procurement practice.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a conference buzzword or a marketing slogan. But what does its real use look like inside Czech companies? In this talk, we’ll look behind the hype to see where AI is already delivering tangible results — and where it is still hitting its limits. You’ll walk away with practical tips and an overview of what’s currently happening in the field.

At the beginning of November 2025, new cybersecurity legislation will take effect in the Czech Republic. It transposes the NIS2 directive into Czech law and brings new obligations for many customers as well as suppliers of technologies, services, and deliverables. What real impacts will this new regulation have on the setup of relationships between these parties—whom will it affect, when, and why? Why is there no need to panic, yet at the same time, why is it unwise to underestimate the risks tied to key suppliers and their chains? What should you focus on when building functional relationships with your critical suppliers, how can you motivate them to achieve security, and how can you minimize risks? These questions will be answered in a concise lecture that won’t scare you with fines—or with four-letter acronyms (more than once).