Introduction

Abstract

A structural economic change has emerged from the effects of global competition leading to a demand shift toward individualized, requirement-specific products and services. Furthermore, a shortening of product life cycles has arisen due to increased customer requirements for continuous improvement and innovation. To compensate for the increasing cost structures due to the shift described the achievement of synergy effects within the production process may be seen as a vital component to optimizing the variety of the product portfolio or, more precisely, as a requirement for future competitiveness.