Ralf Schwartz, Managing Director, Lackwerke Peters GmbH & Co. KG

Inflation impact and outlook
Despite the political environment, high energy costs and sharp rises in general costs, we had a good and successful year in 2023. It will take time to overcome the current crises and challenges. We therefore expect 2024 to be a challenging year for the industry in general.

Despite this situation, we believe that Feinhütte is well positioned. Our products based on 100% recycled material are in high demand under our GreenTin and GreenLead brands. In addition, we have a very solid economic standing, are a reliable partner and highly innovative.

The EMS sector is an important partner for us. Together with our customers, we can already fully represent the circular economy today. The circular economy not only has ecological advantages, but also economic ones. What does that mean in concrete terms? Delivering the solder to the customer is just the beginning of the cycle. This is followed by comprehensive advice on solder bath analysis and taking back the accumulated process residues.

The residues are collected by the manufacturers in compliant containers provided by us and returned to us. We pay the customer an attractive fee for these residues, depending on the metal composition. Recycling the residues at our smelter and producing new products out of them completes the cycle.

Supply chain challenges
As a secondary tin smelter, we have always been able to fully utilize our production capacity in recent decades and to supply our customers. We receive most of our process residues and scrap from Europe. We have therefore implemented short and reliable supply chains on the supplier side. Due to our market position, we were also one of the first companies to be classified as systemically relevant at the beginning of 2020. We are a reliable partner, even in difficult times.

As a secondary tin smelter, we have always been able to utilize our production capacity in recent decades and supply our customers. We receive most of our process residues and scrap from Europe. We have therefore implemented short and reliable supply chains on the supplier side. Due to our market position, we were also one of the first companies to be classified as systemically relevant at the beginning of 2020.

We are a reliable partner, even in difficult times. This cannot be taken for granted, especially for tin. Europe had massive difficulties importing metals in 2021 and 2022. This was particularly the case for tin. Our customers were well positioned and secured with material due to our positioning and level of added value.

Qualification of the workforce
Finding and qualifying employees and skilled workers will continue to be a focus of action in the companies. As Feinhütte, it is important to us to ensure that our trainees and career changers receive good in-house training and development.