Page 7 - Best of 2016 English

all e orts, such emission goals cannot be achieved with the established steel manufacturing processes. e result would be massive additional costs to acquire the necessary emission rights and conse- quently a further heavy burden on our competitive position.
A very topical, less upli ing experience regard- ing burdens from the energy and environmental policy that is distorting competition is the sharp cost increase in network charges for the power supply to our steel locations in Lower Saxony. ey increased by 80% just from 2016 to 2017! ese millions of euros will eat up a good portion of our restructuring success at Peiner Träger GmbH in the coming year.
It is clear that the type of threat resulting from political decisions changes, but the level stays the same. It therefore is and will unfortunately remain a constant job to struggle with politicians for rational approaches so that Berlin and Brussels do not completely lose sight of economic contexts and facts.
STIL: In light of the problems experienced by the EU steel industry, there was a great deal of public speculation about fusions of the European indus- try, and Salzgitter AG was mentioned as a possible partner.
Prof. Fuhrmann: I am absolutely convinced that fusions are not suitable instruments to counter subsidized dumping imports or to balance out unilateral burdens from the European and German energy and environmental policy. Political chal- lenges must be solved politically. We also do not feel that we have been chosen to solve the prob- lems of the steel market in general or those of oth- er companies in particular at our expense. We are obligated to Salzgitter AG and its stakeholders, and only do what is good for our company. None of the concepts that have been presented so far prom- ises an advantage over the path of autonomy that has been successfully followed since 1998. Lower Saxony‘s long-term participation in Salzgitter AG is the guarantee for our sustained group policy. All stakeholders – shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers – have equally pro ted from it.
STIL: Let us examine the general external con- ditions for the Salzgitter Group and its develop- ment. How do you think your internal actions are working out?
Prof. Fuhrmann: We have delivered, and we have accomplished much more than announced! We have achieved indisputable success in past years with our 360 Degree concept and the „Salzgitter AG 2015“ restructuring program embedded in
it. We have provided the group with workable prospects for the future. We are especially pro ting from our own measures, introduced starting in 2012. Without their positive earnings e ect, which totaled some 300 million euros annually by the end of 2015, we would not have been able to break
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann in dialog with STIL Magazine
even given these constantly di cult conditions. Other projects, also initiated as a part of „FitStruc- ture SZAG“, are expected to produce another 260 million euros a year by 2020, so that we have raised the annual potential by 560 million euros. A colos- sal accomplishment thanks to the many employees who have contributed, both actively and creatively! Where necessary, we have also not shied away from harsh cuts, for example, in order to turn around Peiner Träger GmbH. e location is now back in the black and has good prospects. We
had to close HSP Hoesch Spundwand and Pro l GmbH in Dortmund, however, because in those cases there were no expectations whatsoever of a pro tably future. It was all very di cult for us, but without this step, it would have been completely impossible to be pro table in the group today.
STIL: Have the group-wide restructuring steps now been completed?
Prof. Fuhrmann: No, we have put the biggest steps behind us, but we are not nished. Only cost- covering workplaces are permanently safe work- places, and we have to take steps where that is not the case. In other words, change something! In the plate sector and the medium-sized line pipes, we have started focus programs on exibilization and sustained improvement of the earnings position. If rigorously implemented, they have a good chance to succeed, not least because they are constructive- ly accompanied by our co-determination bodies.
STIL: A er these urgent operational measures, what will the coming years bring? In which busi-
SALZGITTER INSIDE 7
Photo: Carsten Brand