Innovation in times of crisis

To do business with each other in turbulent economic times like this, trust and relationships are very important.

In order to make it through a crisis period like this one and to come out stronger, any company needs to have enough flesh on its bones. We are part of the Tata Group: a financially healthy and respected company. A company that has vowed to provide added value to its customers and stands for corporate citizenship for over a century.

Being part of the Tata Group means that we can continue to innovate, even during these difficult times. Internally, with our research and development departments, product development, investments in technology (see the article on investments in Europe on page 4) and more importantly through projects in which we collaborate with our customers. We want to provide both quality and service. A good example is the relationship we have with The Expanded Metal Company (page 2 and 3) in which we look at the long term and know each others' businesses.

We want to innovate, in order to be prepared for tomorrow. Our customers are very positive about Ympress Laser, a hot-rolled type of steel that is developed to optimise the laser cutting process (page 10).

I also would like to highlight that sustainability is high on our agenda. In addition to European initiatives such as HIsarna, a method for melting iron ore which reduces CO₂ emissions up to 40%, sustainability is also associated with tangible products, such as the photovoltaics offered by Tata Steel: roof panels with integrated solar cells, used by up-and-coming architects (page 6).

Freek Schut

Director Sales & Marketing, Industry Strip