International Foundry Trade Fair GIFA 2015
During a press conference held at GIFA 2015 on June 17, speakers Frank Coenen, CEO of ASK Chemicals, Philip Vernon, Chief Business Development Officer, and Jörg Brotzki, Executive Vice President for Europe, presented the background and details of the strategic direction of ASK Chemicals.
CEO Frank Coenen talked about the new ownership structure and the associated benefits for the company. He stressed that the philosophy of the new shareholder Rhône was to invest in its companies – including ASK Chemicals – in order to make them more successful in the long-term. Coenen underlined the good reputation of ASK Chemicals on the market and referred to the company's current and future strategy of working with customers on their growth objectives and offering them innovative products and comprehensive services to help them achieve these goals.
ASK Chemicals is a globally operative company with an international management team that takes on the challenges presented by the various markets. In the established markets, these challenges include pressure on margins and rising investment requirements, the complexity of materials and processes and the task of securing qualified specialist personnel. Growth markets, however, require a local presence and a product portfolio tailored to the region, as well as the appropriate organization and logistics. ASK Chemicals offers its customers tailor-made solutions to their problems in all markets. The company's products and services set high standards within the industry.
The CEO summarized the company's objectives as follows:
- Boosting the presence of ASK Chemicals in all foundry markets and, in particular, expanding in burgeoning markets such as China, India and Southeast Asia
- Continuous and targeted investment in R&D
- Developing efficient and sustainable solutions for the industry
- Excellent service quality for customers.
Philip Vernon, Chief Business Development Officer, presented the global R&D network of ASK Chemicals and referred to its foundry-specific experience and expertise. The global network offers particular benefits. Knowledge of the local sands and other conditions means that customers of ASK Chemicals can rely on specific and quick problem and product solutions. Analytical and practical solutions are developed for specific customer requirements and new products through cooperation between the interdisciplinary teams. The latest example is the new technology of the ECOCURE™ BLUE cold-box binder system.
With this, ASK Chemicals has achieved a world first in developing a binder with cold box part 1 that contains no hazardous ingredients in accordance with the CLP Regulation. This is not only a key environmental benefit for foundries but also delivers outstanding performance at the same time.
In addition to this product innovation, Vernon presented further sustainable solutions and developments combining technological advances and economic efficiency, such as VEINO ULTRA 4618 for uncoated casting and MIRATEC TS self-detaching coatings.
Jörg Brotzki, Executive Vice President for Europe, demonstrated how ASK Chemicals structures processes as effectively as possible with its range of products and services and offers added value to customers.
Speed, innovation and technological leadership are critical factors in the success of foundries and can determine their competitiveness. ASK Chemicals experts in R&D, product management, application technology and technical sales work across disciplines along the entire process chain – from design services and simulation, model construction, core production, and molding systems to the melting process.
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CVs Jörg Brotzki.PDF
