Europe’s leading ductile iron casting supplier needed a certified inventory sampling solution after switching ERP systems. The choice: GESTIN by classix, certified under HGB §241.
What is inventory sampling and when is it permitted?
Inventory sampling is a legally recognized method under HGB §241, permitted in Germany since January 1, 1977. Instead of counting every stock item manually, only high-value positions are counted in full. The remaining inventory is calculated using statistically recognized methods. The process must comply with generally accepted accounting principles and is also legally valid in Austria (UGB §192) and Switzerland.
Background: An ERP migration leaves a gap
FONDIUM Group GmbH is Europe’s leading supplier of ductile iron (spheroidal graphite) casting components for the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, with foundry plants in Singen and Mettmann. When the company migrated to a new cloud ERP system in 2022, inventory sampling was not available in the new environment. A reliable, certified replacement was needed to maintain annual counting efficiency.
How does GESTIN work, and why was it chosen?
Following a structured selection process, FONDIUM chose GESTIN from classix. The software guides users step by step through the inventory sampling process, integrates with existing ERP systems, and is available both as a SaaS solution via classix.cloud and as an on-premise installation. GESTIN is certified by a renowned, internationally active auditing firm.
Matthias Schwarz, Controller at FONDIUM:
„Thanks to the competent consulting, we were able to successfully implement inventory sampling at both of our sites within a short project phase.”
FAQ: Inventory Sampling with GESTIN
How does inventory sampling work with GESTIN?
GESTIN imports stock data from the ERP system, automatically forms value-based strata, and calculates which items need to be physically counted using statistical methods. Counting is carried out using handheld scanners or any browser-capable device.
Who is allowed to carry out inventory sampling?
Any company subject to accounting obligations in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, provided the method used meets legal requirements. GESTIN is certified by an auditing firm and fulfills these requirements.
What are the advantages over full inventory counts?
Users report up to 95 percent less counting effort, significantly reduced or entirely avoided warehouse downtime, and smaller counting teams. At the same time, stock accuracy improves because counting errors caused by repetitive manual work are reduced.
What are the disadvantages of inventory sampling?
The method requires reliable stock bookkeeping. If records are not sufficiently accurate, the inventory must be repeated. GESTIN checks data suitability in advance. A free suitability analysis is available at gestin.classix.de.
Where can I test GESTIN?
A free trial version and a data analysis are available at gestin.classix.de.
