stahlmarkt 09 | 2019

Steel distribution & Service centres 39
sheet metal assemblies can be made very
flexible and scalable so that they can be gradually
introduced into electromobility applications«,
explains Dr. Petring.
The technology invented at Fraunhofer ILT
with the combination head from Laserfact is
already being used in the industry, for
example when cutting and welding strip
ends in coating and inspection lines of the
steel industry, as well as when producing
high-precision metal assemblies. With the
further development of the combi-head,
MultiPROmobil will now appeal, in particular,
to small- and medium-sized companies
that make an important contribution to the
future market of e-mobility.
The MultiPROmobil project will run for
three years, is coordinated by Fraunhofer ILT
and funded by the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of
North Rhine-Westphalia.
Multifunctional laser processing head that can already cut and weld innovative sheet metal
assemblies. Now, additional additive manufacturing steps are added.
Stahlo with new Managing Director on course for growth
Change at Stahlo Stahlservice: On October
1, Oliver Sonst took over as Managing
Director. He stands for the reorientation
of the company towards the
future - through technological leadership
in the field of high-tech steel processing,
strong partnerships in the automotive
industry and expansion into the
Eastern European market.
This year, Stahlo puts its new plant in
Gera into operation, which is unrivalled in
Europe with the latest production technology.
With the new building, the company not
only doubles the number of plants, but also
increases production capacity to around
400,000 tons of steel per year in Gera. At
the end of last year, Stahlo took over Blech-
Service Nordhausen, significantly expanding
its range of services.
The expansion of business in the Eastern
European markets is on the agenda for the
future. Great tasks for the new managing
director of Stahlo, who has been in charge
of the company since 1 October.
Oliver Sonst has written the growth history
of Welser Profile GmbH, based in Austria,
in recent years, as Managing Director since
2014. Previously, he held numerous international
management positions at Benteler
Oliver Sonst
Distribution Germany and the Erbslöh Group
- always focusing on the development of
cutting-edge technology and customer proximity.
Experienced manager
Copyright: Stahlo
Since October, Oliver Sonst has been leading
the company with headquarters in Dillenburg,
locations in Gera and Nordhausen as
well as subsidiaries and sales offices in
Poland, the Czech Republic and Benelux:
»With Mr. Sonst, we have gained an experienced
manager with an excellent reputation.
He has already written several success stories
in the steel and automotive industries. And
he stands for growth,« says Prof. Dr. Friedhelm
Loh, owner and CEO of the Friedhelm
Loh Group, to which Stahlo belongs.
»This is an exciting task to which I am very
much looking forward,« says Oliver Sonst:
»Stahlo offers a unique integrated manufacturing
competence with state-of-the-art
production technology, is a reliable partner
and family business with heart and mind. I
am convinced that we at Stahlo will open a
new chapter and further expand our market
position.«
Oliver Sonst succeeds Guido Spenrath,
who is leaving the company to take up a
new challenge outside the Friedhelm Loh
Group.
Stahlo is one of the most modern and largest
mill-independent steel service centers in
Germany. The range includes the complete
delivery program for all important materials
in the sheet metal market. At the Dillenburg,
Gera and Nordhausen sites, the company
produces slit strip, blanks, standard formats,
shaped blanks and contours in all common
grades - up to high- and ultra-high-strength
- according to individual customer requirements.
steel market 01.2019