Companies

Germany is the largest market for wire rod in Europe, and the automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers of these products. Automotive component manufacturers are looking for additional suppliers to meet the growing demand by the automotive industry for this type of product. Corus, with its extensive experience and technical know-how in manufacturing premium quality wire rod, is keen to develop its position across Europe, including Germany. The company manufactures around one million tonnes of wire rod, with an increasing proportion in high quality, high value ultra-clean steels for a wide range of demanding applications, including strengthening tyres and the manufacture of springs and cables for the automotive industry.
”Wire rod is a core business within Corus”, said Klaus-Peter Galla, Managing Director of Corus International in Germany. “We have recently completed significant investment in our wire rod business, which has enabled the development of new products and technical solutions. Much of our investment has focused on supporting innovation and product development, as well as improvements to customer service across the supply chain, to enhance speed and flexibility of delivery to a range of markets.”

Premium Rod Strategy

Currently, about 200 companies buy wire rod in Germany for drawing wire or manufacturing components. Research conducted by Corus has shown that the market for wire rod is growing, particularly for the so called higher quality “premium” and “drawing quality” products, which fulfil the more demanding applications. Demand for these products is strong and companies are looking for more quality suppliers in order to increase their range of choice and flexibility, with products tailored to the needs of the automotive industry.
Corus’ response has been to develop its premium rod strategy, and to increase its share of this growing market for premium products. It is seeking to provide a reliable and high quality alternative to customers in the most demanding markets, including automotive.

Continuous investment

Wire rod is manufactured at Corus’ Scunthorpe steelworks in England from steel made using the basic oxygen steel making process (BOS). Within the last two years, Corus has invested 190 million Euros at the works in both steelmaking and rolling, including a new 6 strand bloom caster, and a new furnace and breakdown mill in the rod mill. These investments provide product quality and service improvements. Ultra-clean steels with a consistent microstructure guarantee the premium quality of the wire rod. Different diameters of wire rod are rolled on the mill in 0.5mm increments, from 5.5mm up to 15mm. Customers have benefited recently from an increase in individual coil weight up to 2.2 tonnes. By having a new fully automated state-of-the-art-warehouse and wrapping machine, surface quality has been significantly improved, and problems with mechanical damage from coil to coil contact have been eliminated for “surface critical” qualities. Via improved handling, storage and protection, the customer can receive coils in the same condition as when they left the mill. For further information on wire rod products and services visit www.coruswirerod.com

Research, development and technological expertise

Corus is not just a materials supplier, but supports OEMs and component manufacturers with research, development and technology (RD&T). The company Invests around 130 million Euros annually in RD&T, of which 40 million Euros is channelled into the automotive industry. To meet the challenges of the automotive industry, manufacturers are increasingly dependent on the know-how and expertise of material specialists like Corus. The development of cost-efficient, lightweight and high-strength steels are a major focus. Corus works together with manufacturers on solutions to handle some of the current challenges to the automotive industry, such as reduction of CO² emissions, and protection of the environment and sustainability via recyclable materials (ELV-directive). Also safety, via new material concepts for bonnets and bumpers as well as cost-efficiency.

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