Page 36 - Best of 2019 English

on this than the Internet," he explains, adding: “We visit our customers regularly, often accompa- nied by plant representatives."
That’s why the traffic situation impacts so much on our day-to-day business. “Almost all our customers are located in the greater Paris area, so
we’re always having to cope with traffic prob- lems,” says Dirk Weyrather. This is not something he would want to bemoan, however – he loves the country far too much for that. “France is a very tolerant nation. That’s what’s so wonderful here: in spite of the hectic pace of life, the general atmosphere in the greater Paris region is still very relaxed. It’s what makes France so endearing.”
Dirk Weyrather firmly believes Salzgitter Man- nesmann France will continue to chart its course. “I think France is set to remain a not inconsider- able market for the Group. We have a good reputa- tion among customers, and their interest continues unabated. The key factor is achieving the right balance of quality, reliability and competitiveness.” Developing this market is something he perceives as an exciting and interesting task.
Dirk Weyrather was employed by Mannesmann Handel AG from 1983 to 2001 before spending many years working for companies in France, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA. He has headed Salzgitter Mannesmann France since 2018
The team at Salzgitter Mannesmann France in Paris, with more than 20 years of service to the company (from left) Catherine Girard, Catherine Délannet-Bürck, Claudia Patti and (not in picture) Inge Billich
Photos: Gunnar Garms
Long products
Blast furnace Electric arc route furnace
9.5 Flat products
Hot rolled products total
Raw steel total
15.1 m. tons
15.5 m. tons
11.0
4.1
4.9
Steel production in France in millions of tons
Steel trading in France
Import
Crude steel and primary material 1.2 m. tons Semi-finished/finishedproducts 14.8m.tons
Long products Flat products Tube products
2.5 m. tons 10.6 m. tons 0.4 m. tons
Source: World Steel Association, Steel Statistical Yearbook 2018 (figures from 2016 and 2017)
Export
1.8 m. tons 15.1m.tons 3.3 m. tons 8.4 m. tons 1.3 m. tons