SSAB’s action plan is aimed at strengthening the strategic position by increasing growth in high strength steels, increasing profitability at current plants, and strengthening the organization.
The reorganization into geographic business areas contributes to increased market presence and improved co-ordination within purchasing, inventory management, research and distribution, and also optimizes conditions for production. The reorganization has also strengthened SSAB’s position as a global knowledge company, attractive to skilled, high-performance employees.
Strategic investments within high strength steels
SSAB is currently carrying out several strategic investments in order to increase capacity and develop the market for high strength and quenched steels.
In Borlänge, a quenching line for quenched steel will be commissioned in the first half of 2012. It is initially estimated that quenched steel from Borlänge will be 300,000 tonnes annually. The quenching line will contribute to optimizing the entire production flow within SSAB EMEA.
The Mobile mill in Alabama, is continuing to construct a quenching line with a planned annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes, and is expected to be brought into commission in the first half of 2012. The investment will render possible further processing of steels produced by SSAB Americas into more abrasion-resistant and high strength steels, in order to meet a growing need on the local market.
The investment in a new finishing line in Kunshan, China, will enhance distribution efficiency and reduce delivery times within SSAB APAC. Steel which is shipped from the various production plants in Europe and the United States can be finished closer to the customers. The line will have capacity for cutting to length, shot blasting, and organic coating to customer order, and is expected to be commissioned in 2011.
