Day: 16 April 2020

Special steelmaker Slovenian Steel Group (SIJ) reported a -4% on-year decline in finished steel production in the first half of 2019 to 197,044 tonnes, while crude steel output dropped -3% to 253,769t.

The firm says its output was affected by non-EU-origin imports of steel into the EU.

SIJ reported a -2.1% on-year decline in revenue in H1 to €417.2 million ($461m), of which 84.4% was generated by exports (see Kallanish passim). Plate accounted for 42% of revenue versus 43% a year earlier, with cold rolled sheet comprising 10% versus 11%.

SIJ’s Metal Ravne steelworks recently ordered from Andritz a new heat treatment plant. This will allow SIJ to heat treat products used in the energy sector, the aircraft industry and other special applications for which the company plans growth in the coming years.

Finnish stainless steel producer Outokumpu has named the successor to Roeland Baan as group ceo, the company tells Kallanish. Baan will leave his position as president and ceo of Outokumpu on 15 May.

The new incumbent in the position is a familiar face for the company. Heikki Malinen has been a member of the Outokumpu board of directors since 2012. He will resign from the board at the end of April and will join the company on 1 May. He will assume the ceo role on 16 May.

Malinen has previously held ceo positions in the Posti Group Corporation and in Pöyry PLC. “His long Board membership in Outokumpu naturally is an additional advantage providing profound knowledge and understanding of Outokumpu’s business,” says Outokumpu board chairman Kari Jordan.

UK-based Liberty Steel Group announced Wednesday a new board of directors as it completes the consolidation of its global businesses, with the board’s immediate focus being to weather the coronavirus crisis and ensure the business is well prepared for the recovery when it comes.

Roland Junck, previously a chief executive of ArcelorMittal and chairman of British Steel, will oversee Liberty Steel in the UK and Continental Europe, while Daksesh Patel has responsibility for Australia and the US.

Arnaud de Weert, who until recently was chief executive of Alvance Aluminium, will be chief operating officer.

V Ashok, who joined Liberty Steel in 2019, remains as chief financial officer.

The board will oversee the overall group’s strategy and investments as well as the company’s goal to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

“This is an important step as we complete the consolidation of GFG Alliance’s steel businesses into Liberty Steel Group. I am proud of the leadership team we have brought together, which comprises some of the most experienced names in the global metals industry,” said Sanjeev Gupta, the executive chairman of the group.

The newly formed Liberty Steel Group is now the eighth largest steel group outside China, with total rolling capacity of 18 million mt/year. The company employs 30,000 workers with operations spanning the UK, Europe, US and Australia.

— Annalisa Villa

Con riferimento all’oggetto, si trasmette in allegato la Lettera ASSOFERMET appena trasmessa al Governo (unitamente al Comunicato Stampa del 6 aprile scorso), a firma del Presidente Benso e degli altri Presidenti di Settore.