Annual Report 2012 EUROPE BELGIUM BULGARIA ... - Duferco

Duferco Danish Steel
Denmark
Production (mt)
(01/10/11 - 30/09/12)
151,000 105
Employees
as of 30/09/12
The production
hours were reduced
by almost 20%,
but thanks to
improvements in
efficiency and yield,
the y-o-y prime
production decreased
by only 10%.
During 2012, Duferco Danish Steel
concentrated its efforts on restructuring
and adjusting the mill to the demands of
the feeble European market.
The production hours were reduced by
almost 20%, but thanks to improvements
in efficiency and yield, the y-o-y prime
production decreased by only 10%.
The economic slowdown in the Eurozone
was reflected in a lower consumption
of Merchant Bars, especially in the
construction sector. In spite of this, DDS
succeeded in increasing its share in the
key markets of Scandinavia and Germany.
At the same time, steel tourism outside
these markets was reduced significantly.
The imbalance between demand and
supply in the European Merchant Bar
market resulted in a spread between
billets and finished products that was too
low to cover its cost in full.
Therefore, the Management focused
on a reduction of gas and electricity
costs and the rationalisation of its
workforce, as well as on optimising
processes.
In close cooperation with Duferco
La Louvière, Duferco Danish Steel
succeeded in developing quality steel
round bars for forging and peeling.
DDS continues to concentrate on offering
a high level of service, quality, flexibility
and diversification of special steel grades.
2013 will once again be a challenging
year in which Duferco Danish Steel seeks
to consolidate its position as one of
the leading Merchant Bar producers in
Northern Europe.
30 | Duferco Annual Report 2012