BE_Info_1_2009_engl.pdf

Magazine for Customers and

Employees

1/2009

Edelstahl

BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd u1BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd u1 29.05.2009 9:23:10 Uhr29.05.2009 9:23:10 Uhr

EDELSTAHL Info 1/20092

Buderus Edelstahl Weathers the Economic Crisis4

Contents

l The Company

4 Buderus Edelstahl Weathers the Economic Crisis

6 Goodwill by Giving15,000 euros for children’s projects

7 Brahman Wedding, and Inauguration of the New Offi ce BlockTwo reasons to celebrate with PCK

8 10 Years of Deville Rectifi cation – Buderus Edelstahl

9 The Continuous Improvement Process – Progress in the First Year of Operation

10 Tomorrow‘s WorkforceBuderus Edelstahl sponsors sports clubs in the region

12 Exemplary SolidarityPCK Buderus India employees give blood for their colleague

13 2,000 Euros for the Wetzlar “Young Care” HomeSupport for the physically disabled

14 Success Story in its Third YearTakeover of Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik

l Engineering Alloys/Billets16 Streamlined Organisation

New department structure for Engineering Alloys/Billets

l Tool Steel18 “From Concept to Production”

EuroMold 2008

20 On course for growth: Wu Jii Industry Co. Ltd. opens new stockholding facility in Shanghai

Success Story in its Third Year14

New Department Structure for Engineering Alloys/Billets

“From Concept to Production”EuroMold 2008

16

18

BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd 2BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd 2 29.05.2009 9:23:19 Uhr29.05.2009 9:23:19 Uhr

Editorial

Dear Readers,

The rapidly unfolding economic crisis has seriously affected many industries, especially the steel industry. Reduced consumer demand, and excessive stock levels worldwide have forced companies to make strategic adjustments that are not always pleasant for employees, customers or suppliers. We report in this issue on how Buderus Edelstahl is responding to the major change in market conditions, to secure our joint future. Our declared aim is to remain your preferred partner for high quality special steels, and as an employer to remain aware that our most important asset is our employees’ achievements.

Although the general situation may be extremely diffi -cult, there are many positive elements to report. Deville Rectifi cation in France, one of the leading manufactur-ers of pre-machined steel and aluminium plate, has been part of the Buderus Edelstahl family for more then 10 years now. The successful integration of Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik entered its third year in April. Our partner in India, PCK Buderus India Special Steels PVC Ltd, opened a new offi ce block in Chennai on schedule at the beginning of the year, expanded its stockholding facility, and brought an additional saw on stream. Wu Jii Industry Co. Ltd, Taiwan, another business partner of Buderus Edelstahl of many years’ standing, now has a large stockholding facility of its own in Shanghai. You will fi nd more coverage of these developments in this issue, as well as an account of the restruc-turing of our Engineering Alloy and Billet departments, and the resultant benefi ts. We also describe a new certifi cation, which defi nes a new quality grade for gear steel. You will fi nd information on our cultural commitment over recent months, and some employee profi les. One article is devoted to Lutz Neubert, who is going into well deserved retirement in March after 19 years’ dedicated service in fi eld sales involved in reconstruction in the east.

We focus on positive developments, and regard this crisis as an opportunity for further improvement. We are sure that together we can weather this challenging time, and devise strategies to take us to a better economic future. Let’s get to work!

With our sincere best wishes,

Your Management Team

l Human Resources21 The Fascinating World of Figures

Profi le of Lilli Oberst, Head of Buderus Edelstahl’s Central Billing Department

22 More Time for the Grandchildren, Sport and New InterestsLutz Neubert goes into well earned retirement

23 Diary Dates

23 Long Service

23 Deaths

23 Editorial Information

EDELSTAHL Info 1/2009 3



The market environmentDeclining sales in almost all industries have reduced demand for steel. The downturn on global steel markets accelerated further in the early months of this year. Reduced consumer demand is just one facet of this trend. There is now excess stock in all sta-ges of production and stock-holding. This has led to a disproportionate downturn in demand for steel – a situation we have to adapt to.

Crude steel capacityUtilisation of the steel mill is one of our key indicators of the direct impact. It is essen-tial to maintain continuous operation for Buderus Edelstahl products, regardless of the plant loading factor. In consultation with our employees and the works council, we have been able to modify our shift pat-tern to a reduced manning level to ensure operation adapted to downstream opera-tions. This leaves us well placed to handle any upturn in demand.

Cost reduction programsLower utilisation does not generally entail a proportionate reduction in costs. Particu-larly in energy-intensive operations like steel mills and forges, energy consumption does not fall proportionally, since the fur-naces have to be kept up to temperature regardless of throughput. In addition to these concealed cost increases that fi rst have to be absorbed, fi xed costs have to be reduced. We have already introduced mea-sures to this end.

8,000 tonne forging pressLast year the expenditure was approved for a new large-scale press, to come on stream in 2010. Is such an investment still appro-priate in the light of the current economic downturn? Should the focus for the future not be on new products, and more effi -cient production of existing products? Our answer to both questions is an emphatic “Yes”. The new press will further strengthen Buderus Edelstahl’s position in the market-place, to the benefi t of both customers and

Buderus Edelstahl Weathers the Economic CrisisThe fi rst indications of the fi nancial crisis spreading to the real economy were already becoming apparent when you received issue 2/2008 of this magazine. But the enor-mous speed with which the downturn would proceed was not evident at that time. We are now in a dramatically changed situation. This extremely challenging environ-ment is also compelling Buderus Edelstahl to make some painful changes and adapt its strategic posture. This article gives answers to questions of concern equally to our customers, employees and suppliers.

The Company

Site of the foundations for the new 8,000 tonne forging press



The Company

employees. But the economic environment has necessitated adjustments to the pro-ject plan. The press will be constructed according to the original timetable, with reduced investment and greater concen-tration on essentials. We will also continue to contribute to our customers’ success by

developing new products – without losing sight of the primacy of effi ciency in pro-duction.

Social commitmentIn this issue of Buderus Edelstahl Info we report on our commitment to various so-

cial projects. We are fi rmly convinced that we as a company have a cultural and social responsibility, in addition to our responsi-bilities to customers, employees and stake-holders. In recent years we have accord-ingly provided support to cultural and social causes in our local region around Wetzlar. These donations do not contribute directly to our corporate mission, but gen-erate much positive potential. They deserve to be mentioned here. But this commit-ment too has been affected by the cur-rently very strained economic situation – with some inevitable savings, because our customers and employees are our prime consideration

ProspectsWe are all passing through diffi cult times – Buderus Edelstahl, its customers, suppliers and employees. Innovation and joint devel-opment initiatives will help us to realise new potential. Let us tackle these tasks jointly.

Project Manager Diana Schäfer monitors the progress of construction work

The new forging shop



The Company

Goodwill by Giving15,000 Euros for children’s projects

Buderus Edelstahl is donating 15,000 Euros to fi ve children’s projects instead of distributing presents at Christmas. Karl-Peter Johann and Jens Mohr presented the cheques to the representatives of the institutions concerned, in the headquar-ters of Buderus Edelstahl GmbH.

Buderus Edelstahl has been providing fi nan-cial support to social institutions for some years now, instead of sending Christmas gifts to customers. Several projects were

again supported in 2008. “It’s never too early to start fostering the rising genera-tion, which is why we are supporting social projects instead of sending Christmas pres-ents”, say Directors Karl-Peter Johann and Jens Mohr. The church day nursery “Neue Wohnstadt” in Wetzlar intends to spend the donation on playground equipment for in-fants under three years. Gudrun Geissler, Chair of the Child Protection Association, is delighted at the support for the “Auryn” project, which provides support for children

of mentally ill parents. They have the op-portunity to express and work through their experiences, perceptions and feelings in an appropriate environment. A further 3,000 is going to the city of Wetzlar, presented to Heike Grotstollen, Head of the Youth Offi ce. The money is going to support the “On the move together” project. This is a model pro-ject for the district of Niedergirmes. Parents will be given a welcome present for all ba-bies, as part of the project module “Wel-come to life”. The project is managed jointly with Wetzlar City Council, and the “Lahn Dill church social service”. Mayor Roland Esch accepted the donation together with Silvia Gombert (Klein-Altenstädten day nursery) and Eva Alexandra Frank (Bechlingen day nursery), and wants to invest the money in early years musical education for children. Children will be introduced by way of play to singing, speaking, music, movement and instrumental music. Support also extends to the district of Hermannstein. Municipal ad-ministrator Waldemar Kleber is using the donation for several projects, including the Panama day nursery, and the Special Needs primary school.

The children of the “Dragon’s Lair” play-school in Klein-Altenstädten learn music with Jeanette Hetzer (on the left) of the Wetzlar Music School. The teachers Marika and Judith (at the back, from left to right) are enthusiastic about the project.

Ingeborg Heitmann and Martin Stückrath (Protestant Parish), Pia-Susanne Merklinger (Neue Wohnstadt day nursery), Jens Mohr, Heike Grotstollen (Head of the Youth Offi ce), Karl-Peter Johann, Gudrun Geißler (Child Protection Association), Silvia Gombert (Klein-Altenstädten day nursery), Ute Bartsch (City of Aßlar),Mayor Roland Esch, Eva Alexandra Frank (Bechlingen day nursery) and the Municipal Administrator of Hermannstein, Waldemar Kleber (from left to right)


The Company

Business friends with the bride and groom: Michael Hammer, Gabriele Peschiera, Mallika Laxman, the Bride and Groom, Jens Mohr, Fritz Bogner, Ulrich Keiner (from left to right)

The bride and groom Meena and Shankar Raman

Two reasons to celebrate with PCK

Brahman Wedding, and Inauguration of the New Offi ce Block

This was the third Brahman wedding of a member of the Laxman family that Ulrich Keiner had been invited to attend as Buderus Edelstahl’s manager for Far East tool steel sales. He travelled to Chennai, formerly Madras, last November together with Buderus Edelstahl’s Commercial Director Jens Mohr, and Sales Manager Michael Hammer. This seaport in the Gulf of Bengal is one of India’s most important urban centres, and the fourth largest city in the country.

Tradition and modernity are not oppo-sites in Chennai. This was evident from the wedding celebrations that continued from 11 to 13 November 2008. The three days

were fi lled with numerous wedding cere-monies of great antiquity, to launch Meena Laxman and her bridegroom into their married life. This included rituals for the bridegroom leaving bachelorhood, his cleansing, fertility rituals, and many sym-bolic acts. “We attended all the rituals”, reports Ulrich Keiner. “That is a great hon-our for us, because only guests belonging to the family or who are regarded as mem-bers of the family may be present during all the ceremonies.” Other Buderus business partners present were Gabriele Peschiera of Comas Acciai Speciali, who had travelled from Italy, and Fritz Bogner senior of Bog-ner Edelstahl in Vienna. The company feted

the young couple, and enjoyed the tradi-tional Indian wedding feast, served on large banana leaves. The musical accompaniment with Vedic song and Indian wedding music was as exotic as the food of the wedding table. “It is a bit like being entering a fairy-land”, says Ulrich Keiner.

New offi ce block and new saw in ChennaiJens Mohr, Michael Hammer and Ulrich Keiner took the opportunity to inaugurate the new offi ce block in Chennai together with the Laxman family. More modern and larger than the old building, the new one comprises leisure facilities, shower rooms and overnight accommodation for PCK employees, as well as offi ce and meeting rooms. Jens Mohr cut the fi rst ceremonial ribbon for the inauguration; the second one followed at the new band-saw, required for larger tool steel ingots. “Our stay in Chennai was another fantas-tic experience for us”, says Ulrich Keiner. “PCK is much more than a business part-ner. A friendship over the years has devel-oped from our joint business relation-ship.”

The youngest daughter of Buderus Edelstahl’s partner in India, P.K. Laxman, owner of PCK Buderus India Special Steels PVC Ltd, in India, got married last November. Buderus Edelstahl representatives from Wetzlar were also invited to the event, which they combined with inaugurating the new PCK offi ce block.

Inspecting the offi ce block and stockholding facility in Chennai Jens Mohr inaugurates the new band-saw




The Company

A successful partnership from the word goThe joint success story started in 1995 with an agency agreement between Deville Rec-tifi cation and Buderus Edelstahl. Three years later, in October 1998, Buderus Edel-stahl took over all the shares in the French company, which was the ideal complement to its own product range, specializing in distance plates, clamping plates, ejection plates and moulding plates. Deville Rectifi -cation supplies its products within Europe, especially to Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland.

The merger of the two companies has combined their markets ideally, creating new synergies.

The success factorsDeville Rectifi cation prides itself on very tight delivery schedules, and offers its cus-tomers a choice of surface fi nishing faci-lities for the steel and aluminium plate ordered. One of the company’s aims is to deliver pre-machined plate within three to fi ve days of receipt of order. The size of its stockholding facility, its machine capacity, and the high fl exibility of its workforce ensure a rapid response to all customer requirements.

Special dimension specialistDeville Rectifi cation provides product dimensions ranging from 7 to 700 mm thick. Its modern machinery enables work-

Deville Rectifi cation has belonged to the Buderus Edelstahl family for 10 years. With its acquisition of the French subsidiary in 1998, Buderus Edelstahl completed its product range of tool steels, whilst establishing a production location for ground plate in France. Deville Rectifi cation, located in Pont Salomon near the town of St Etienne in the Massif Central, is one of the leading manufacturers of pre-machined steel and aluminium plate.

ing to dimensions up to 2,500 x 4,200 mm with surface grinding; the maximum ca-pacity for milling is 2,500 x 8,000 mm, and for fl ame cutting 3,000 x 13,000 mm. The company specialises in supplying precision plate outside the standard range.

Successful in the future tooAims for the future are clearly defi ned – continuously expanding the aluminium business, especially with plate made of grade AlMg4.5Mn0.7. Stainless special steel in the grades 1.4307 and 1.4404 are also being included in the range, in sawn or machined fi nish. There are plans to further enhance the already fast throughput, and to boost activities abroad. This will also make Deville Rectifi cation a powerful and reliable partner for all its customers’ re-quirements.

The leafl et is available from Deville Rectifi cation Z.I DesforangesBoite postale 3F-43330 Pont-SalomonTel :+ 33 (0)4 71 66 29 71Fax :+ 33 (0)4 71 66 29 [email protected]@deville-rectif.com

10 Years of Deville Rectifi cation – Buderus Edelstahl

z

Material awaiting dispatch



The Company

CIP Process

Idea originator

Start

End

Fill out form/Post it in the

CIP box

Register idea

Accept idea

Set up the CIP team

Define action

Implementation

Approve implementation

Recognition award

Approve/Appoint

an implementer

No

No

Yes

Works Management

Works Management

CIP team

Works Management

Works Management

Implementer

Works ManagementPL rep team

PL rep teamRegistration info to the originator

Acceptance Yes/No to originator

Award info to originator, P-EZ, Works Management

Participants Written response

Yes Evaluate/Make award

The roll-out phase of the CIP program ini-tiated at Buderus Edelstahl at the end of 2007 started in May 2008. Since then the processes have been optimised, and com-munication across departments strength-ened. This has enabled better use of resources and energies. 335 employee ideas have been contributed during the business year 2008/2009. These have been implemented gradually – following a policy of continuous company develop-ment.

CIP has been practised at Buderus Edelstahl systematically since 1 May 2008. 138 em-ployees have been coached so far in the training courses provided. 48 of these em-ployees have been trained as CIP facilita-tors for all areas of the company, with a view to supporting the CIP teams in imple-menting projects. A further 90 trained employees took part in management or partner training events, and in CIP depart-ment meetings, in order to discuss the ongoing processes and associated commu-nication.

The aim of employee training across all hierarchical levels is long-term change in corporate culture, with CIP constituting a Buderus Edelstahl GmbH development pro-cess.

The CIP process has been refi ned over the past 12 months, and adapted to the company’s specifi c requirements. The in-formation fl ow has also been improved, and process transparency increased. Status reports at works meetings, distributing an information leafl et including a logo com-petition, and installing information boards in the production and administrative areas have all helped to communicate the CIP process. A total of 12 such information boards are displayed at key points in the company, e.g. at time-recording terminals, foreman’s offi ces and in training rooms.

This ensures the greatest possible degree of transparency, providing employees with up-to-date information.

The 335 employee ideas represent an in-crease of 273 % compared to the previous factory suggestion scheme. This success shows how well these processes have so far been received. Further measures will in-

crease the number of ideas in coming years, and ensure the company’s progress.

Our thanks to all employees for their commitment and contribution to the Con-tinuous Improvement Process.

The Continuous Improvement Process - Progress in the First Year of Operation

Sebastian Zimmermann, Rolf Schmidt, ManfredBecker, Juan Carlos Manzano Romero and StefanSchmidt (from left to right) in a team meeting



The Company

Tomorrow’s WorkforceBuderus Edelstahl sponsors sports clubs in the region

The reputation of Buderus Edelstahl rests both on the quality of its products, its customer focus and its market success, and on the fact that Buderus Edelstahl has traditionally been committed in numerous ways to Wetzlar and the Cen-tral Hesse region – the company’s main operational base. Buderus Edelstahl has now donated € 1,500 each to 10 sports clubs in and around Wetzlar.

Groundwork for youthBuderus Edelstahl’s sponsorship extends to cultural as well as social and sporting ac-

tivities. Some examples are its support for the global generational artwork of the forging artist Andreas Rimkus, for clinics and nursery schools, and for the handball Federal League club HSG Wetzlar. This new sponsorship for clubs is intended princi-pally to promote groundwork for youth. The money benefi ts clubs where much can be achieved with relatively little funding. They were suggested not by management, but by the workers themselves.

Location marketing is a factor in economic successFunding is provided not solely for chari-table motives. It is rather part of location marketing, seeking to make Buderus Edel-stahl more attractive as a company and as an employer. This initiative is targeted mainly at young people, since Buderus Edelstahl is naturally interested in attract-ing qualifi ed young people as employees

long-term. To that extent, promoting ju-nior talent by programmes such as sports sponsorship is also succession planning for the company. Regional focus is re-emerg-ing as an important factor precisely in globalised markets. That is how director Jens Mohr sees it, “Although our company is thoroughly international, we remain very rooted in our region. Only with en-thusiastic employees and acceptance in the community can we continue to pro-vide the outstanding products and services that have earned our excellent reputation with our customers. And ultimately, it is satisfi ed customers placing the next order with Buderus Edelstahl that ensure em-ployment and income in the region. As Wetzlar’s largest industrial employer, we discharge our responsibility not only in a purely economic sense, but we are also in-creasingly committed to selected public projects.”

SV Hermannstein sports club

TUS Niedershausen sports club (left, SC Gladenbach sports club (bottom left), TUS Naunheim sports club (bottom right)


the money. Nothing like that has ever hap-pened in their history. We can equip three complete youth teams with the money. Some of our old kit was more than 10 years old. And there are also Buderus Edelstahl employees living in Löhnberg-Niedershaus-en-Obershausen, who are also members of the club, or their children are. So this cre-ates an additional bond with the compa-ny”

“A donation is priceless”What can be achieved with a relatively modest sum with clubs is shown by the ef-fusive response. Angelika Ferber, deputy handball department manager at the Aßlar sports club, “We have devoted ourselves principally to youth work, and want to get the kids off the street. So we put our heart and soul into this work. Buderus Edelstahl’s support is priceless. The club could not sur-vive without donations like this. We have used it to buy a complete new set of kit and balls for youth teams. Of course we will then also appear under the Buderus Edel-stahl banner at home games”.

“Unique in the club’s history”It was Fritz Jacobs, Logistics Manager at Strieder Stahllogistik, a Buderus Edelstahl contractor, who suggested sponsoring the TUS Niedershausen youth sports club. “The club was overwhelmed when they received

The Company

The sponsored clubs: TV Aßlar sports club, TUS Niedershausen sports club, Lahn-Dill wheelchair sports club, Lahn-Dill wheelchair sports club fan club, KSG Bieber sports club, Dilltal handball club, TUS Naunheim sports club, SV Hermannstein sports club, SC Gladenbach sports club, Wetzlar swimming club

TV Aßlar sports club The Lahn-Dill wheelchair sports club fan club

Dilltal handball club KSG Bieber sports club

Lahn-Dill wheelchair sports club

Wetzlar swimming club (above)




Vijay (on the left) acts as the interface between Stockholding and Sales

The Company

Exemplary SolidarityPCK Buderus India employees give blood for their colleagues

Good working conditions for good performanceThis attitude is illustrated fi rstly by the company’s efforts to provide employees with safe working and living conditions. This includes apartments near the company premises, and transport to work. Each workplace is adapted to the job’s particular physical requirements, in line with the state of the art. This is a matter of course for the Laxman family that runs the company, in addition to the state health and social pro-vision, because only employees who feel at ease in their working environment can de-liver 100 % performance, and be commit-ted to the company long-term.

Solidarity by management and employees in adversityHowever rigorous and extensive the safety provision, accidents cannot be entirely eliminated. This was illustrated by the case of Vijay. He suffered an accident at work with serious injuries to both legs. Manage-ment arranged for the best available treat-ment. Vijay was taken to the leading hospi-tal in Chennai for an urgent operation lasting several hours under Dr S.S.K. Mar-thandam. The heavy loss of blood during the complicated operation meant that Vijay needed a blood transfusion. This illustrated the solidarity of management and employees at PCK Buderus, who do-

nated blood for their colleague as a matter of course! This case illustrated more than any other the practical application of the company’s philosophy. This commitment is all the more unusual, since the company retained its employee despite the plentiful supply of labour in India.

Vijay can now live and work normally againVijay has been fi tted with steel plates spe-cially made in Europe, and four months af-ter the operation and various stages of postoperative treatment, he could walk with support. After six months he was able to re-sume work. In his current position he is the interface between stockholding and sales. “It is a wonderful feeling to see Vijay fi t again – it was worth fi ghting for” says P.K. Laxman, Managing Director of PCK Buderus. “We also thank Dr Marthandam for helping Vijay to lead a normal life again.”

Vijay (on the left) negotiates with his colleague in Sales

The success of PCK Buderus at the Indian locations Chennai, Pune and Ludhiana is due in no small measure to the principle of “one for all, all for one” as applied to the company’s employees, treated as members of one family. This principle not only makes for good cooperation within the organisation – it is taken quite literally in a crisis, as illustrated by the case of Vijay.



Support for the physically disabled

2,000 Euros for the Wetzlar “Young Care” Home

Buderus Edelstahl consistently supports so-cial projects that not infrequently fulfi l long cherished dreams. “It’s a great feeling to give people some extraordinary pleasure they did not even dare to dream of before”, says Eva-Marie Wagner, social worker at “Young Care”. But before the journey could start, there were some obstacles to over-come. Many diffi cult questions had to be considered, such as, “Will the six residents who require constant care manage such a long trip, will their state of health permit it, can adequate care be ensured for such a long period, even if the project is fi nanced by generous donations like that of Buderus Edelstahl?”

The Mansion House “Young Care” team took up the challenge, and found the right solutions. The care coordinator and all six carers promised their full support – and the

“art trip” project was launched. The group went to Lake Constance from 26 to 30 Oc-tober 2008. “Under the leadership of the artist ,Fritz’, we saw things that would never otherwise have occurred to us in our situation. We took a boat trip to Constance.

And fi nally we were able to draw some-thing with our modest resources, to the best of our ability. All that would not have been possible without the support of Bude-rus Edelstahl”, acknowledges Eva-Marie Wagner.

“For Buderus Edelstahl it is a matter of course to accept its social responsibility, and act on it in numerous ways”, say the Directors Karl-Peter Johann and Jens Mohr.

Berhard Pauly, former Steel Bar Sales and Stockholding department manager, drew the attention of Buderus Edelstahl to the “Young Care” programme of the Mansion House in Wetzlar Casino that cares for young physically disabled adults. The donation of € 2,000 was used for a unique “art trip” to Lake Constance.

The Company



The Company

Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik GmbH, located in Niederweidbach, has been part of the Buderus Edelstahl group of companies since April 2007. In just under two years, this company located by the Aartal lake has achieved a great deal. Numerous investments and organisation-al measures have contributed to estab-lishing an effective steel service centre. The pre-existing cooperation between the Wetzlar and Niederweidbach locations has been intensifi ed in the fi eld of tool-making. The two locations have also coor-dinated closely to address new customer groups.

The increased capacity requirements have been met by relocating a gantry CNC mill-ing machine (Waldrich FP 20-10) from Wetzlar to Niederweidbach. The decision to relocate this plant resulted from the sys-tematic strategic reorientation of both lo-cations, leaving rotationally symmetrical machining at the Wetzlar location. Flat

sizes are now machined only in Nieder-weidbach.

In addition to the investments already made, numerous organisational measures have been taken, ensuring the long-term in-tegration of Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungs-technik into the Buderus Edelstahl group of

Takeover of Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik

Success Story in its Third Yearcompanies. Health and safety and quality management issues are currently being jointly co-ordinated. Buderus Edelstahl Zer-spanungstechnik is gradually adopting the high standards of Buderus Edelstahl. Prac-tices will also be unifi ed in the spheres of human resources and fi nancial accounting.

The Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik workforce



Synergies in training too24 staff are currently employed at Buderus Edelstahl Zerspanungstechnik. The Manag-ing Director Holger Karches is supported by Works Manager Reinhard Tuisl, and Man-agement Assistant Susanne Sulewsky. “Our employees are mainly CNC milling machin-ists”, says Holger Karches, “We have now also taken on two staff who did their train-ing at Buderus Edelstahl. Buderus Edelstahl have also taken on several trainees over the last two years in consultation with us, who will later be working at the Niederweidbach location. They will do some of their practi-cal training with us, so that they learn their trade on the machines they will later be operating.” The aim of all these measures is to fully utilise our synergistic potential, and provide customers with an effective service. Holger Karches and Jens Mohr, Commercial Director of Buderus Edelstahl, are unanimous, “Our experience over the

past 12 months shows we are on the right track.”

The leafl et is available from:Buderus EdelstahlZerspanungstechnik GmbHHauptstraße 46, D-35649 BischoffenTel: +49 (0) 64 44/92 46-0Fax: +49 (0) 64 44/92 [email protected]

UNION drilling and milling machine, up to 25 tonnes table weight

Overall view of the production shop

The Company

List of machinesCNC milling:Waldrich gantry milling machineTable (W x L, mm): 2250 x 6700Max. weight on table (kg): 100 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 7500 / Y: 3400 / Z: 3000 / W: 800

Waldrich gantry milling machineTable (W x L, mm): 2500 x 10 000Max. weight on table (kg): 100 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 11 000 / Y: 4000 / Z: 1000 / W: 3000

Waldrich gantry milling machineTable (W x L, mm): 2000 x 6000Max. weight on table (kg): 66 700Positioning ranges (mm):X: 6700 / Y: 3300 / Z: 1000 / W: 2000

Fritz-Werner gantry milling machineTable (W x L, mm): 1000 x 3000Max. weight on table (kg): 12 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 2300 / Y: 1300 / Z: 800

Bohner & Köhle profi le milling machineTable (W x L, mm): 1400 x 3000Max. weight on table (kg): 12 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 3000 / Y: 1400 / Z: 1150

Mecof milling and drilling machinewith 41 tool changerTable (W x L, mm): 2610 x 7300Max. weight on table (kg): 50 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 6000 / Y: 1250 / Z: 1700

Horizontal boring machines:Union horizontal machining centreTable (W x L, mm): 2000 x 3000Max. weight on table (kg): 25 000Positioning ranges (mm):X: 4000 / Y: 2500 / Z: 1500 / W: 700

Boring machinesTOSS boring machineTable (W x L, mm): 1000 x 2640

CAD/CAMFormat: iges, vda, Catia V5, dxf, tif, dwg, hpgl, pdfData transfer: Odette link

Mechanische Bearbeitung in höchster PräzisionHigh-Precision Machining

Dimensional check of a holding block



Engineering Alloys/Billets

New department structure for Engineering Alloys/Billets

Streamlined Organisation

Combining the two departments at man-agement level made sense”, says Björn Rech, “since there is a large degree of overlap, with many customers processing both our forged engineering alloy and our rolled bil-lets.“ It is principally these customers who benefi t from this merger; they will now deal with the same people and have the same contacts, which will save time in defi ning requirements and outcomes. It will also

make for less internal wastage, and elimi-nate possible sources of error arising from cross communication. “I look forward to dealing with the billet customers from now on, and to an exciting challenge that will make my working life even more interest-ing. Buderus Edelstahl billets are produced and supplied mainly for closed-die forging plants. “The ingots we melt in our own 100-tonne electric arc furnace are rolled

As of 1 January this year, the previously separate Engineering Alloys and Billets departments were merged. The combined operation is now headed by Björn Rech, who was previously responsible for the Engineering Alloys department. He is now also responsible for the Billets operation previously managed by Frank Agel, who has now left the company.

Engineering Alloys/Billets Department Manager Björn Rech (left)

Large engineering alloy dimensions ex stock (rightI

Billets ready for despatch



Engineering Alloys/Billets

into square bar in the rolling mill, some of it annealed and dressed, then they go out to our customers. There the billets are seg-mented, cut into separate pieces, and used in the closed die forging presses, explains Björn Rech.

Even better togetherBjörn Rech serves the Engineering Alloys/Billets department customers jointly with his staff. “Everyone is committed, and to-gether we achieve the best result for our customers. We are also going to further in-tensify our efforts in the Billets depart-ment”, emphasises Björn Rech. Our billet customers are located principally in the

German-speaking region. Buderus Edel-stahl also supplies indirectly to the auto-motive industry, where demand is some-what subdued because of the current economic situation. Many customers are behaving cautiously, and reducing their stock holdings at present. Björn Rech never theless has a positive view of pros-pects. “Although we cannot currently say how long this reluctance in the market-place will persist, one thing is certain: cars will still be built and billets will still be needed in the future.”

Buderus Edelstahl will remain the reli-able, progressive partner of choice for cus-tomers in this and other product fi elds. Cutting blanks for gear-making

Overall view of the disc saw centre

Sina Kaczor joined the Sales team on 1. 12. 2008. “I think the working at-mosphere is fantastic, and the support I am getting in the induction phase.” Sina Kaczor pre-

viously spent 12 years in an industrial company in the electrical industry. “I was looking for a new challenge, and when I saw this job advertised at Buderus Edel-stahl, I immediately applied, because I have always been fascinated by steel-making.” The 28-year-old serves customers at home and abroad, especially in Holland, Austria and Switzerland. She works closely togeth-

Additional support for Engineering Alloys Sales er with Buderus Edelstahl Holland, and very much enjoys working with her col-leagues there. She likes her work very much. “From order acceptance and pro-cessing through to quotations, shipment processing through to customer support, it covers everything.”

Doris Kastl started work at Buderus Edelstahl on 1. 10. 2008. She speaks fl uent Spanish, and some Chinese. Doris is Austri-an, and undertook a six-month placement at the

Böhler-Uddeholm branch Boehler Aceros

in Argentina; she also spent the summer of 2007 with Böhler Schweißtechnik in China carrying out a market analysis. The 26-your-old studied in Austria, where she gained an MA in export-oriented EU-ASE-AN-NAFTA management. Her course also included an Erasmus semester at the Spanish University in Alcala. For Buderus Edelstahl she serves customers in Germa-ny, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Austria. “I like taking on responsibility”, she says. “I enjoy travel, and look forward to visiting my customers on site, and meeting with them.”

New certifi cationLast year, Buderus Edelstahl again achieved a major contribution to optimising supply chain management. A concept for lean ma-terials testing within the process chain, and a new quality grade for gear steel, have been defi ned jointly with a certifi cation body and a leading industrial gear systems manufacturer. Björn Rech is certain that other customers in the fi eld of industrial gear manufacturing will benefi t from this work.



EuroMold 2008

“From Concept to Production”The 15th EuroMold expo was held in Frankfurt am Main from 3 to 6 December. Buderus Edelstahl naturally had a presence there again this year. This world expo for toolmaking and mould making, design and product development is the platform for international exchanges with customers, partners and business friends. More than 60,000 exhibition visitors took the opportunity to gather information on new products and technologies from 1,523 exhibitors from 38 countries.

Core area of toolmaking and mould-makingTraditionally EuroMold focuses on tool-making and mould-making, one of Buderus Edelstahl’s core businesses. EuroMold pro-vides a valuable forum for companies to fi nd partners and initiate new cooperative ventures to meet the growing need for complete solutions in this market.

Tool Steel

The “Buderus Edelstahl family” with sales partners from all parts of the world celebrates the successful exhibition.



Tool Steel

cellent factory tour at Buderus Edelstahl. This arose from a visit by seven engineers to Buderus Edelstahl to exchange information last October.

Michael Renk and Dirk Bockholt received another award from the expo organisation of the Kalip trade fair in Istanbul.

around the world together again this year. “For our international agents and their customers, this process-chain trade show for plastic mould makers, which is unique worldwide, is of enormous importance. It gives an opportunity to exchange current market information directly, so that we can respond promptly to market changes”, em-phasises Jens Mohr, Commercial Director. Combined with making new contacts, this made EuroMold 2008 a success for Buderus Edelstahl, as in previous years.

Special awardEuroMold also provided an opportunity for awards of a special kind. For example Peter Vetter and Erwin Kreisel were given a mod-el car by Audi AG in recognition of an ex-

Exhibits great and smallThere was never going to be a shortage of interesting exhibits on the Buderus Edel-stahl exhibition stand in 2008. Together with the original of a die-casting frame half made of steel grade 2738, heat treated 280-325 HB, visitors could also admire the “small” 1:10 scale model. A total of four model pairs were on display in a glass showcase. Made specially in the Buderus Edelstahl training workshop, they showed a bumper die ac-curate in every detail, and also a die holder. Other exhibits were two pre-machined plates from Deville Rectifi cation.

Meeting of the Buderus Edelstahl familyThe expo provided a good opportunity to bring the Buderus Edelstahl family from

Two pre-machined plates and aluminium from Deville Rectifi cation-Buderus

The accurate scale model of a die-casting frame half

Selin Sözen, Michael Renk (3rd from the left) Recep Celik (3rd from the right), Managing Director of Celikmetal and Dirk Bockholt (2nd from the right) receive the award from the organisers of the Kalip trade fair in Istanbul

Peter Vetter and Erwin Kreisel (from the left) receive a thank-you from Audi AG for an excellent factory tour



Tool Steel

On course for growth:

Wu Jii Industry Co. Ltd. Opens New Stockholding Facility in ShanghaiThe independent tool steel stockholder Wu Jii Industry Co. Ltd, Taiwan, has opened a branch in Shanghai. The com-pany previously rented premises, but now has a presence in the Chinese market with its own facility with a fl oor area of 12,000 m², a total of four large saws, and four milling machines.

Buderus Edelstahl has been working suc-cessfully since 1989 with the representative offi ce Metal System Co. Ltd. Under the man-agement of David Chen and Wilson Lin, they rapidly succeeded in establishing a long-term presence in the Taiwan and China mar-kets in the fi elds of plastic mould steel and die steel. The island of Taiwan in the West Pacifi c is an important centre for the busi-ness activities of Buderus Edelstahl GmbH in Asia, with its neighbouring countries Korea

and Japan to the north, and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south. Supported by two employees in their offi ce in the city of Taoyuan, David Chen and Wilson Lin worked very closely with the effi cient independent stockholder Wu Jii Industry Co. Ltd. As well as several stockholding facilities in Taiwan, Wu Jii has now also opened a branch in Shanghai, with a large stockholding facility under the name Advanced Tooling Tek Co. Ltd. (ATT). The company has already been operating in China for years, and has so far been supplying its customers from rented premises in Shanghai. The company moved gradually from these premises to their own new stockholding facility. The new building came on stream in early 2009. With a maxi-mum crane capacity of 40 tonnes, the larg-est dimensions can be processed here. The new facility has four large saws, and a ca-

pacity of around 1,500 tonnes of plastic mould steel and die steel.

Large steel ingots from Wetzlar for Taiwan and ChinaATT has specialised in very large steel ingot dimensions, which it orders from Buderus Edelstahl in Wetzlar through Metal System. From the large steel ingots, ATT makes blanks to customer order, which are supplied either machined or unmachined.

With its crane capacity and matching saws, Wu Jii successfully occupies a niche in the steel processing industry in Taiwan and China. In addition to Buderus Edelstahl steels for plastic mould steel and die steel, Wu Jii also sells other high-quality cold working and special steels supplied by Böhler. The substantial market share of forged Buderus Edelstahl plastic mould steels in both countries testifi es to shrewd operation in the market. “We have had a large market share in this fi eld in Taiwan for many years”, says Ulrich Keiner, respon-sible for Far East tool steel sales at Buderus Edelstahl, adding, “Although the global economic crisis has reduced demand and consequently sales, when a good plastic mould steel is required, Bu de rus Edelstahl is still the supplier of choice in Asia.”

Ulrich Keiner was in Shanghai again for a few days in mid April. The extremely close cooperation between Metal System, Wu Jii and Buderus Edelstahl is important to all those involved. “It is clear to us”, says Ulrich Keiner, “that sustained success only works if quality and service are right. With Metal System and Wu Jii, Buderus Edelstahl has two very committed partners in the Asian market.”

Stock of large tool steel ingots in TaiwanStock of all popular tool steel grades and dimensions



Human Resources

Lilli Oberst has been the head of Buderus Edelstahl’s Central Billing Department since January 2009. She joined the com-pany 18 months ago as Invoicing Man-ager. “I love handling diffi cult jobs, and achieving the best result with my team”, she says.

Lilli Oberst came to Wetzlar with her hus-band from Omsk in Russia at the age of 27. She had studied management in Russia, and wanted to return to work when she came to Germany, as a mother of a small daughter at that time. She learnt German, spent a year on various work assignments, and at night she dreamt of fi gures – she wanted nothing better than to return to the career she loved. Lilli Oberst took inten-sive language courses, fi nally gaining the vocational qualifi cation “Certifi ed Master of Business Administration” after complet-ing a qualifi cation process in which she learned all the specialist terms and legal regulations. Soon afterwards she joined the Bookkeeping department of an accoun-tancy fi rm. After two years she moved to the Accounts department of a company in the computer distribution industry, where she remained until she joined Buderus Edelstahl. “Here I immediately joined a

good team, and was enthusiastic about my new work.” From the start she was highly motivated when it came to improving pro-cedures, and she was soon offered a project as part of the continuous improvement process initiated by Buderus Edelstahl the previous year.

When her then department manager Mr Grünen and company management sug-gested she take over as Head of the Central Billing department, which had just become vacant, Lilli Oberst did not hesitate long. “I had four days to think it over. It would mean many new challenges, and consider-able responsibility, and I was still quite new to the company. Now I’m very pleased that I agreed to the proposal, and I would like to thank management for the trust they placed in me.”

Exciting job“I have to learn a great deal, and attend many seminars to acquire all the knowl-edge I need for this job”, continues Lilli Oberst. She has to constantly keep up-to-date in her job. The work has to immedi-ately take account of changes in economic relations, especially in the fi eld of foreign trade, and constant changes in legislation and regulations. “Every day I have a lot to

read, which is the only way to keep up-to-date. I also regularly attend information and training events of the Tax Academy and other institutions”. Otherwise she thinks errors soon arise that could have se-rious effects and be detrimental to the company or its business partners. Lilli Oberst works closely together with man-agement and the Sales department.

Strong teamLilli Oberst is supported by three colleagues, and a trainee. Lilli Oberst particularly en-joys working with her good team. “Team-work is very important to me”, she says, “and I’m pleased that people have quickly accepted me and supported me.”

Lilli Oberst can frequently make good use of her mother tongue. “Russian or Ukrainian customs offi cials and customers are always delighted to hear I speak their mother tongue.” And many a truck driver who has made his way to Buderus Edelstahl in Wetzlar but run into communication problems, speaking neither English nor French, has been delighted to hear that there is a Mrs Oberst who understands everything they say. “There is nothing in this job I don’t enjoy doing”, says Lilli Oberst with enthusiasm. And you can see she means it.

Profi le of Lilli Oberst, Head of Buderus Edelstahl’s Central Billing Department

The Fascinating World of Figures



Human Resources

Lutz Neubert goes into well earned retirement

More Time for the Grandchildren, Sport and New Interests

All fi eld sales work is interesting, and re-fl ects the special features of the regions and countries covered. But Lutz Neubert’s remit was unique in a quiet special way. Af-ter initial contacts in February 1990, he started work at Buderus Edelstahl on 1 July that year. Just under seven months earlier, on 9 November 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall opened up the frontier between East and West Germany, separated for more than 28 years. This created new sales markets for Edelstahlwerke Buderus AG, as it then was, from one day to the next. Lutz Neubert was the right man to grasp this opportunity. As a trained toolmaker and materials testing and materials technology engineer, he had

worked from 1969 to 1990 at the Steel Ad-vice Centre of the East German DDR-Metal-lurgie. During this time he ambitiously acquired further qualifi cations as metals science chartered engineer at the Freiberg Mining Academy, and acquired extensive experience in the course of an assignment abroad in the then Czechoslovakia, where he worked from 1979 to 1985 in the Metal-lurgical Industry Technical Commercial Bureau in the Prague trade delegation. “The job I had then had no chance of survival after reunifi cation”, says Lutz Neubert, “since there was already an advisory centre for steel applications in Düsseldorf.” But his outstanding knowledge of the metalwork-

ing industry in the former GDR gave him good prospects of a new start. He had dis-cussions with some steel manufacturers. Lutz Neubert soon chose Buderus Edelstahl. “Of course factual considerations played a role, such as the product structure and the existing fi eld sales capability, but initial contacts with the Sales Director and Board of Management, which happened to coin-cide with the carnival in Wetzlar, were the deciding factor”, smiles the 65-year-old.

“The Wild East”The fi rst years after reunifi cation were very varied and interesting, recalls Lutz Neu-bert. “I’m sure some of the business trips are unforgettable for the sales force. The motorways were often just ordinary roads, or upgraded farm tracks. The available ho-tel capacity was booked up for months by employees of the Treuhand privatisation agency and by West German consultants, so we had to stay in company accommo-dation and holiday homes and bed-and-breakfasts. But we took the adverse cir-cumstances with good humour, and the term “the Wild East” that was coined then remained in use for many years.” Lutz Neu-bert thinks that cooperation with his west-ern colleagues was a positive example of the two parts of Germany growing back together. The “East-West” discussions that were common then had always been good-humoured, so that cooperation had always been oriented towards mutual trust and shared success.

As the Regional Sales Manager for Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg and Berlin, Lutz Neubert was on the road for Buderus Edelstahl for almost 19 years. He retired on 31 March 2009. Buderus Edelstahl would like to thank this committed employee for his contribution, and stirring times together.

New ContactsCustomers of the Engineering Alloy and Billet division will still be served by Björn Rech and Sina Kaczor. Erwin Kreisel is responsible for tool steel sales for postcode areas 08 and 09. The remaining districts will be covered by Oliver Schaub and Peter Spielvogel.

Their contact details are as follows:



Human Resources/Diary Dates

Editorial information

Publisher: Buderus Edelstahl GmbH

Editor’s addressBuderus Edelstahl GmbHBuderusstraße 25, 35576 Wetzlar, Germany Tel. (0 64 41) 3 74-0Fax (0 64 41) 3 74-28 82

Editor: Jens Mohr (responsible for the content)Texts: Dr. Hubert Brunträger, Jens Mohr, Anne Kuhlmann, Sigrid Krekel, Sebastian Zimmermann

Photo acknowledgements/sources: Bottom of page 6, Hans-Ulrich PöllmitzPage 17, Alexander GöhrBuderus Edelstahl GmbH holds the rights for photos, plans and diagrams, unless otherwise indicated.

Overall production:Composition, design and lithography: Die Feder, Konzeption vor dem Druck GmbH, Wetzlar Printing: Druckhaus Bechstein GmbH, Wetzlar

Print run: German 5,000, English 3,000 copies

Printed in Germany 5/2009

© 2009 Buderus Edelstahl GmbH

Long service50 years’ servicePfaff, Dieter 23. 3. 2009Rotter, Hubert 1. 4. 2009

40 years’ serviceMaric, Milorad 19. 2. 2009Ognjenovic, Dane 19. 2. 2009

25 years’ serviceMüller, Harald-Peter 1. 2. 2009Gath, Edwin 1. 4. 2009Dietrich, Karl-Heinz 2. 4. 2009Dietz, Thomas 2. 4. 2009Schmidt, Udo 16. 4. 2009Nickel, Gerd 16. 4. 2009

10 years’ serviceFranz, Veronika 15. 3. 2009

2009 diary dates

EuromoldWorld toolmaking and mould-making design and product development expo2 to 5 December 2009Exhibition Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Forum International de Plasturgie (FIP)16 to 19 June 2009Lyon, France

Deaths AgeFey, Manfred 25. 11. 2008 70Kirchhof, Karl 26. 12. 2008 77Schmitz, Franz 19. 2. 2009 87Fritz, Kurt 20. 2. 2009 75Schulz, Alfred 2. 3. 2009 66

Especially in the years 1990 to 1995, the demise of many GDR plants made the job of fi eld sales diffi cult in the former East Germany. Some of the plants were taken over by West German competitors, or they disappeared from the marketplace. At the same time some new companies were formed, and there were some insolvencies of companies that only survived a few years in the market. “That is why I will nev-er forget the fi rst successes in the diffi cult years after reunifi cation, and the steady expansion of our customer base in eastern Germany”, says Lutz Neubert. An experi-ence that many people found emotionally moving in 2002 is equally unforgettable for him. “After the 2002 fl oods, I was able to hand over several thousand euros as a donation to customers who were particu-larly badly affected, to resume produc-tion.”

After 49 years in the steel industry, he now wants to pursue new interests. “I am looking for variety in my retirement. I will spend my time with my family, especially with my fi ve grandchildren.” He also wants to play sport, for example in the senior sports group and in the bowling club. Then there are some jobs around the house and in the garden, and of course holidays. So plenty for Lutz Neubert to do. We wish him all the best in his undertakings, and thank him for his successful commitment to Bud-erus Edelstahl. Good luck!

Erwin Kreisel: 01 60/8 70 29 [email protected]

Oliver Schaub: 0 64 41/3 74-24 25 [email protected]

Peter Spielvogel: 0 64 41/3 74-24 [email protected]

Björn Rech: 0 64 41/3 74-25 87Bjö[email protected]

Sina Kaczor: 0 64 41/3 74-24 [email protected]


Buderus Edelstahl GmbH Buderusstraße 25 D-35576 WetzlarTel. +49 (0) 64 41/3 74-0 Fax +49 (0) 64 41/3 74-28 [email protected] year · Issue 1 · May 2009

BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd u4BE_Info 1_2009_engl.indd u4 29.05.2009 9:22:55 Uhr29.05.2009 9:22:55 Uhr

Documents

BE_Info_1_2009_engl.pdf