In order to optimize and develop the company’s production sites, ThyssenKrupp will transfer production at its Benrath plant in Dusseldorf to Krefeld. As part of its forward strategy to maintain international competitiveness, the decision involves a three digit million Euro investment in the Krefeld site to upgrade equipment among other requirements. ThyssenKrupp lists several reasons behind their decision to transfer production including the increase in popularity of ferritic grades. Stainless steel customers are choosing theses grades because they do not contain any nickel and as such are not subject to major price fluctuations. Krefeld currently produces nickel containing austenitic grades used in facades, food containers and the chemical industry. By combining the two product lines at the Krefeld site, processing costs will decrease and production can better suit market requirements. The integration of the two plants is also necessary because the current production setup results in high transportation costs for ThyssenKrupp. Production is divided over four locations, Bochum (melt shop and hot rolling mill), Krefeld (melt shop and cold rolling mill), Dillenburg (cold rolling mill) and Benrath (cold rolling mill), causing cost disadvantages. Work on the project will begin in 2011 and the transfer of the Benrath site will be spread over a period of five years.
