Upscaling Supply Chains – A Case Study on Entrepreneurial Firms in the Plant-based Meat Industry

Many entrepreneurial firms strive for high growth to achieve economies of scale and make a significant impact. We examine how new ventures scale and leverage their supply chain by conducting a multiple-case study in the emerging plant-based meat industry. Our results shed light on the role of supply chain configuration during the scale-up process and provide guidance to entrepreneurs on how to prepare their supply chains for rapid growth.

Tim Schlaich started his PhD program at Kühne Logistics University in May 2020 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Kai Hoberg and Prof. Dr. Sandra Transchel. His research focuses on the optimization of food supply chains through information sharing and technological advancements. He conducts his research in cooperation with Peter Cremer Holding GmbH & Co. KG, a family-owned trading and production company based in Hamburg. Tim already joined KLU in 2017 for his Master of Science in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He was awarded the Best Student Award Class Master of Global Logistics and SCM 2019 and received the BVL Thesis Award for his master thesis on consumer mobility in the context of traceback models for food-borne diseases. Before joining KLU, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University. During his Bachelor studies, he was employed by the Evonik Industries AG and gained work experience in several departments.