over recent years. China now produces almost three times as many foundry products as the whole of Europe, India is well on course to leapfrog North America in the rankings, and Brazil is hot on Germany’s heels in terms of tonnage.
What was and is the objective of a merger of individual and highly successful companies?
Sommer: On one hand, the merger represents a logical response to the developments taking place with our custom- ers and in the market. Some of our customers are structured as a small or medium-sized business; here, we act as a supplier of specialties—products and services often geared toward the individual requirements of each customer. Another share of our customers comprises corporate
groups with global production that are now particularly involved in the new global growth markets. With prod- uct innovations and quality services, we can provide these customers with local support to help them expand into new markets and satisfy their needs even more consistently. We offer nearly all of our customers across the world the same standards of quality geared toward the high require- ments placed on developments in Germany and the U.S.A. Our global transfer of expertise will become ever more important, especially in view of the questions of environ- mental compatibility and resource conservation which are so important for the foundry industry. On the other hand, there is also a very clear corporate
goal and thus strategic challenge for the merger, and that is the ongoing expansion of our position as one of the foundry industry’s leading full-service suppliers.
How does the combined knowledge of the two companies produce added value for the customer?
Sommer: Te specific aim of the new company is the exploita- tion and utilization of the growth potential generated by the combination of foundry expertise, products and experience and the global sales and production networks of the individual com- panies of ASK Chemicals. For example, it will enable product development to be performed more quickly and systematically. Tis is what our customers expect from us as a technology driven company and one of the sector’s foremost suppliers. We think globally but trade and supply locally—that is a definite benefit for our customers. Future-oriented topics such as energy and the environment
are of particular significance for strategic growth. In our own research and development centers, ASK Chemicals designs special technologies and products for these purposes. By means of sustainable, environmentally compatible manufacturing methods and application areas, we provide crucial support to foundries in their efforts to manage existing resources in a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. A current example is provided by our inorganic binder sys-
tems, which have successfully proven their readiness for ongo- ing production. As far as we are concerned, the entire area of sustainable development is a market segment with consider- able potential for growth. Here, too, we expect further require- ments from our customers. Producers of advanced technology in particular must meet the sustainability requirements of
的成长性市场，如印度、中国或巴西，其铸造产量近 年来翻了数番。中国现在的铸造产品产量几乎是整个 欧洲的三倍，印度正在赶超北美，巴西的产量紧追 德国。
这几家原本在市场上已颇有建树的公司进行合并的初衷 和目标究竟是什么？
Sommer：合并一方面是为了应对客户以及市场方面的 发展形势。部分客户是中小型企业；我们所提供的“特 色”产品和服务通常都会按照各个客户的单独要求量身 定制。
另一部分客户是那些在世界各地都设有生产基地，尤 其在新兴成长性市场大力开拓的集团公司。我们的优势 在于，能够就地协助这些客户打入新的市场，并始终伴 随其左右，提供技术创新的产品和无微不至的服务。现 在无论您身在何处，我们都将秉持相同的质量标准，为 您提供与德国美国研发要求别无二般的高端服务。环境 和资源保护是铸造行业面临的紧迫问题，我们也将在世 界各地加强这方面的技术输出。
从另一方面来看，合并还明晰了企业的经营目标和战 略性任务： 即不断巩固我们作为铸造行业全能型供应商 的领先地位。
技术整合和技术集中起到的作用有着极大区别。我们应 该如何正确理解这两个概念？对客户有什么好处？
Sommer：新公司的具体目标是整合 ASK Chemi- cals 各个参股公司的铸造技术、产品、经验、全球销售 与生产网络，充分挖掘由此而产生的增长潜力。这样就 能实现我们在发展道路上的种种目标，如更加迅速连贯 的产品开发。这也是客户对我们这种业内领先供应商的 期待。
全球化思维，因地制宜，就近供货 – 这正是客户能 够具体受益的原因。
诸如环境和能源这种关乎未来的问题对于战略性增 长而言极其重要： ASK Chemicals 拥有自己的研发中 心，能够为此设计出特有的技术和产品，通过可持续性 的环保工艺和应用领域，帮助铸造企业以更加节约、环 保的方式处置现有资源。
例如我们最新开发的无机粘结剂系统目前已成功应 用于量产。我们认为可持续发展领域具有极大的市场 增长潜力。这方面我们也期待着客户的更多需求： 越 是高科技生产商，越需要面对政策和社会提出的可持
Summer 2011
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