The High Performance Metals division of voestalpine has significantly increased sales via its online shop, and is preparing a smartphone application to further enhance digital business.
The trend was fuelled by the coronavirus crisis and related restrictions. At the Swedish distribution subsidiary Uddeholm, online sales more than doubled between February and August. “There are many suppliers on the market for standard products such as precision flat steel, but hardly anyone who also offers machined material online,” says Wolfgang Friedl, head of e-commerce in the Value Added Services division.
Products include conventional flat and round steel and custom-made products for customers. So-called “shelf” products such as powder for 3D printing, welding rods, precision flat steel or erosion blocks are also sold over the virtual counter.
Voestalpine will soon offer an app which will proactively inform about the status of the order by means of push notifications, including document downloads. Under development is also a new service module using artificial intelligence, Kallanish notes.
