Press release

Key figures for the Saarstahl Group for the business year 2016

04 April 2017

Due to a decrease in revenues and the continuing tense situation at the subsidiary Saarschmiede, the Saarstahl Group recorded a very difficult business year in 2016.

Key figures

  • Difficult financial year for the Saarstahl Group in 2016
  • Good utilization of the facilities and high sales levels for wire rod and bar steel in spite of relining of blast furnace 4
  • Group turnover fell from 2.159 auf 2.028 billion euros due to a decrease in revenues
  • Very sound financial structure with an equity ratio of 70 %

Due to a decrease in revenues and the continuing tense situation at the subsidiary Saarschmiede, the Saarstahl Group recorded a very difficult business year in 2016. However, there was consistently good utilization of capacity in the bar steel and wire rod facilities and shipping volumes remained around the same high level as the previous year. Fred Metzken, Spokesman for the Management Board, commented on the annual figures saying “We were able to record consistently good sales of wire rod and bar steel in 2016 in spite of the adverse market environment. At the same time, there was great pressure on the financial results. This was largely due to the reduction in revenues and the higher expenses, above all in connection with the very difficult situation at Saarschmiede. Overall, the Saarstahl Group continues to have a very good equity ratio and financial structure”.

The market for long products was again characterized in 2016 by overcapacities and the unchanged continuation of imports into the EU market, in particular from China. The ongoing structural crisis aggravated the existing pressure on volume and price. By positioning itself in the higher-value quality range, in 2016, Saarstahl AG was able to benefit from the robust development of strongly export-orientated German automotive manufacturers in the premium sector. Utilization of capacity was therefore on a consistently high level in spite of the relining of blast furnace 4 at ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar (ROGESA). Sales revenues were also under pressure in 2016 and only recovered towards the end of the year.

There was no change in the situation at Saarschmiede GmbH Freiformschmiede which continued to be very tense. Most market segments in which Saarschmiede operates are characterized by large overcapacities, aggressive competition and, in connection with these factors, also by high price pressure. Political crises in the Middle East or North Africa as well as profound changes on energy markets with accompanying low oil and gas prices, have meant that investment behaviour in the field of energy generation worldwide has been very hard to predict.

Figures for the Saarstahl Group for the year 2016:

  • Production of crude steel fell by 11.8 % to 2.451 million tonnes (previous year: 2.779 million tonnes). At 2.312 million tonnes, sales volumes of Saarstahl AG (wire rod and bar steel) remained at about the level of the previous year (2.336 million tonnes).
  • Group sales amounted to 2.028 billion euros (previous year: 2.159 billion euros). Germany continues to be the most significant sales market for Saarstahl, ahead of the EU and third-party countries (NAFTA, Asia, Rest of the World).
  • The group result before interest and tax (EBIT) amounted to -155 million euros (previous year: 2 million euros) and the EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortisation) to -25 million euros (previous year: 138 million euros).
  • The clearly negative result is due to the decrease in sales revenues and the higher expenses, largely in connection with the very difficult situation at Saarschmiede.
  • The Saarstahl Group continues to be one of the most important employers in the region with a total workforce which, at 6,554 has remained constant compared with the previous year (previous year: 6,591). In addition, there are 261 trainees (previous year: 243). At Saarstahl AG, the number of employees remained constant at 4,009 employees as at 31.12.16 (previous year: 4,031).
  • At 103 million euros, investments in the group further increased to a higher level (previous year: 90 million euros). Thus Saarstahl has invested more than 1 billion euros in facilities and processes since 2010.
  • With 70.3 %, the Saarstahl Group continues to have a very good equity ratio and financial structure in a comparison within the industry.

Better business year expected in 2017

Further significant risks are still to be expected in the steel industry's economic situation in 2017. These risks are caused by global overcapacities as well as by steel at dumped prices from China and other countries. In addition, there are the rerouting effects of the flow of goods into the EU due to increased protectionism worldwide as well as high volatility on the market for raw materials, especially for iron ore, coking coal and scrap. This means that there is continued pressure on steel prices and sales margins.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative that a suitable course is set in politics regarding trading and climate policies. Fast decision-making routes to initiate anti-dumping measures, fair market practices and comparable statutory requirements regarding CO2 reduction are required to avoid the danger of de-industrialisation in Western Europa and to prevent the existential threat to the steel industry, in particular.

Thanks to a strong demand, Saarstahl AG commenced the year 2017 with very good levels of capacity utilization in its facilities. An overall positive picture is emerging for 2017 with regard to the important client segments for the company – the automotive industry and general machinery. In this context, a slight upward trend in the demand for steel is to be expected in the product segments of wire rod and bar steel that are relevant for Saarstahl. The company expects solid development of volumes and good utilization of capacity and was able to increase sales prices at the beginning of the year.

The outlook continues to be subdued for Saarschmiede GmbH Freiformschmiede in 2017. The programme initiated in 2016 to realign production and sales and to reduce costs will largely have been completed in 2017. Saarschmiede expects the situation to stabilize in 2017 with an improvement in the turnover and results figures.

The Saarstahl Group will continue its strict cost-management in 2017 and make further efforts to increase earning power. The investments made are aimed at further optimizing processes such as the product quality and customer service. Compared with the previous year, the group expects higher sales, significantly improved turnover figures and a positive result.

 

Saarstahl Group in figures

 

2015

2016

Hot metal purchase

thous. tonnes

2.369

2,080

Crude steel production

thous. tonnes

2.779

2,451

Shipping (Saarstahl AG only)

thous. tonnes

2.336

2,312

Sales revenues

M EUR

2.159

2,028

Workforce (without trainees)

31.12.

6.591

6,554

Trainees

 

243

261

 

 

 

 

EBIT

(Earnings before Interest and Tax)

M EUR

 

2

- 155

EBITDA

(Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization)

M EUR

138

- 25

The new wire rod outlet at the Neunkirchen location

The training center at the Saarstahl headquarter in Völklingen