MUNICH, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
H.C. Starck, one of the leading
manufacturers of customer-specific powders and components made from
technology metals and technical ceramics, performed well in 2014
given the very difficult market environment. The company increased
its sales volume to 785.9 million
euros in 2014 (2013: 703.9 million). As of December 31, 2014, the company reported 2,678
employees worldwide (2012: 2,843).
"The increase in sales was also supported by our strategic
growth projects in Asia: the
tungsten joint ventures in China
and Vietnam. That helped us grow
significantly our tungsten powder business, and gain large market
shares especially in Asia,"
explained Andreas Meier, CEO of
H.C. Starck. "Overall, though, 2014
was shaped by the difficult economic situation in our global core
markets, which hurt the profitability of the business." In
particular, there were structural changes in the tungsten and
tantalum market with correspondingly negative price effects and
increased competition which in turn led to a decline in
raw-material prices. Sales results were also impacted by the weak
Japanese yen and by a notable drop in metal listings.
Gradual recovery expected for the core markets
In 2015, H.C. Starck only expects
a gradual recovery for its core markets: "Our cautious business
forecast is mainly based on the persistent weak growth of our
target industries in Europe and
Asia," explains Andreas Meier. "Oil and raw-material prices as
well as currencies will continue to be very volatile; growth in the
emerging countries will be slower, and geopolitical conflicts will
slow the global economy." Despite these uncertain framework
conditions, H.C. Starck sees good
opportunities ahead for 2015, thanks in part to low oil prices,
which will stimulate the processing industry.
Read the full release at
http://www.hcstarck.com/en/hc_starck_group/press/press_releases.html Contact:
Ulrike Reich,
+49-89-500-942-155, ulrike.reich@hcstarck.com
SOURCE H.C. Starck GmbH