In the fiscal year 2017/18, Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG benefited from a very good market situation. Structural changes reduced business processes in order to respond more quickly and efficiently to market changes. In April 2018, Breitenfeld AG, Schmiedetechnik Breitenfeld GmbH and Sonderstahlwerk Breitenfeld GmbH were merged retroactively with June 30, 2017 to Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG. The merger took place because of several reasons. The whole product range now appears under the brand “Breitenfeld Edelstahl” and with that, the whole Breitenfeld Edelstahl family grows further together.
Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG can look back on an extremely positive business development in the fiscal year 2017/18. Sales in the two business sectors (ingot and bar steel) could be significantly increased in terms of value and volume. In the ingot casting segment, 113,000 tonnes could be delivered to the market, an increase of 26% compared to the previous fiscal year. In the bar steel segment, a quantity of over 7,400 tonnes was invoiced. This volume means an increase of 80% compared to the fiscal year 2016/2017. Total sales increased by 33% to EUR 164 million. The remelted products sector (electro-slag remelting and vacuum arc remelting process) performed particularly well – with production volumes reaching an all-time high of over 8,600 tonnes which is a 26% increase over the previous fiscal year.
As a result of this extremely positive development, it was decided to further expand the special steel plant. This large-scale investment amounts to more than EUR 6 million and includes a third electro-slag remelting plant with the appropriate infrastructure, such as annealing furnace, tilting device and an electrode welding plant. Another major milestone is the growth strategy in the bar steel segment. In order to increase this, nearly EUR 3 million are invested in a portal machining center. After a new hall and peeling machine (approx. EUR 10 million), this is an important step for the future of the Breitenfeld family.
