From industrial action to global production: now conquers Hoesch China!

From industrial action to global production: now conquers Hoesch China!

In the Ruhr area there are currently big discussions about the future of sheet pile wall production. Klaus Röhr, a former employee, often thinks of the dramatic industrial action from 2015, which ultimately led to the closure of the renowned Dortmund plant. "I'm not over it today," said Röhr, when he sees the current pictures of new sheet piling in Duisburg, which are now being installed below the A40 Rhine bridge. This situation not only affects the labor market, but also throws a light on the difficulties of the industry.

The sheet pile wall has a long history: in 1902 these long -lasting and effective profiles were developed in Dortmund and shipped worldwide. With a length of around ten meters and a weight of over a ton, these walls are used to secure construction pits and offer flood protection. Christian Garms, one of the shareholders of the Neue Hoesch Spundwand and Projekte GmbH in Duisburg, emphasizes that the use of these walls is essential for construction projects.

from Dortmund to China

Although the work was closed in Dortmund in 2015, Garms and his partners wanted to keep the legacy of the Hoesch sheet. They secured production documents and the brand names and found a partner in China with whom they opened a brand new work in 2018. This enables you to continue to drive piling up under the German brand name.

However, this development also has its dark sides. The majority of deliveries do not go to Germany because the import of Chinese steel is heavily regulated into the EU. Only 25,000 tons per year can be imported duty -free; In addition, everything is loaded with an inch of 25 percent. "That is why more products get to Great Britain or Norway than in the EU," explains Garms and appeals for defusing these provisions.

persistent demand despite challenges

The current situation with regard to climate change has meant that the need for sheet piling rises again for both flood protection projects and for construction projects. Garms emphasizes that there are only two more works in the EU in Luxembourg and the Czech Republic that produce these products. Therefore, he believes that a larger selection would be advantageous for German customers.

The fact that such important infrastructure projects are now largely dependent on import products from abroad, lets the questions about self -production and economic responsibility come back up again. Klaus Röhr is concerned about the jobs and the future of the region, while the decisions of the large companies continue to have an impact. The topic of the sheet pile wall is again a center of attention, not only because of the economic interests, but also because of the important role that these products play in flood protection.

For more information on this topic, the reports on www1.wdr.de Backgrounds and current developments in the situation are treated.