The Opening of €15.6 Million ESR 3 Investment in Metal Ravne

16.05.2012

SIJ – Slovenian Steel Group has upgraded the production of quality steel in the higher price range in the affiliate company Metal Ravne with a new ESR (electroslag remelting) facility which will further expand the sales market and reinforce the position of SIJ Group and Metal Ravne in the demanding steel market. The new €15.6 million ESR allows production of purer steels with better ductility characteristics.

Andrej Gradišnik, director of Metal Ravne, says: “These investments and our know-how gives us a competitive edge. This year this latest acquisition will give us the opportunity to achieve higher sales prices. We will be able to conquer new customers and markets. With this new machine which remelts the steel, thus achieving greater purity, we are able to enter the market of special steels for the energy, oil, chemical, and aircraft industries.”

With more than 3300 employees, the SIJ Group has dedicated over €300 million for investments. At the opening ceremony Tibor Šimonka, President of the Board of Directors, particularly stressed the owners’ orientation towards development: “Let’s not be afraid of a foreign owner, but rather of circumstances that would hinder foreign owners’ interest in us.” The guest of honour, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, emphasized the importance of the steel industry in Slovenia and Europe, highlighting the SIJ Group and Metal Ravne as proof that Slovenia should not be afraid of changes, but should rather adapt and recognise new opportunities.