The 2nd Annual Steel Markets Focus and Used Mining Equipment for Cost Savings




The 2nd Annual Steel Markets Focus conference will hold on January 29-30 2009, organized by Platts at Grand Hotel Kempinski, Geneva, Switzerland.

Steel markets are currently in a period of commercial restructuring. Supply and demand imbalances in raw materials upstream are creating strong and frequent price volatility downstream. Evolving demand patterns downstream are impacting upstream investment. This confluence of change is creating unprecedented uncertainty, while it relatively increases the utilisation of used mining equipment for cost savings.

An understanding of the steel market’s supply chain dynamics is vital to creating a commercial structure that can reduce exposure to price volatility. Developing flexible pricing mechanisms for each link of the value chain including mining equipment suppliers, maintenance services, and personnel providers and payroll processes may well help achieve stability in the industry.

Platts 2nd Annual Steel Markets Focus conference will focus on the changing commercial structure of steel markets It will bring together leading raw material suppliers, steel producers, distributors and traders, as well as consumers and members of the financial community to debate and discuss the evolving commercial structure of the industry.

Key topics discussed will include:

The changing commercial structure of steel markets

Raw material supply and its relationship with the steel industry

Drivers affecting steel price volatility

Differing pricing mechanisms and their impact on the value chain

Price volatility, risk and what its means for steel consumers

Future cost concerns to the industry in its response to climate change.

Regional steel markets overview: Europe, US and Asia

Confirmed speakers include:

Michael Pfitzner, Executive Vice President, ArcelorMittal
Dr. Thomas Ludwig, Chief Executive Officer, Klöckner & Co SE.

Carlos Barajas, Director, Global Commodity Management, Steel, Whirlpool

Nasser Alaghband, Chief Executive Officer, Balli Steel

Ricard Hugas, Corporate Commercial Director, CELSA Group

John H. Goodish, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, US Steel

Alain Davezac, EVP Strategy & Business Development, Essar Steel

Jean-Pierre Birat, Director of the CO2 Breakthrough Program, ArcelorMittal

Joachim Ruth, Managing Director, Interseroh ERC Ltd.

Jay Das, Group Purchasing Manager, Volvo 3P Purchasing

Alexander Petersen, Purchasing Manager, Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd

Raymond Key, Global Head of Metals Trading, Deutsche Bank

Laurent Charbonnier, Executive Director, UBS

Phil Checkley, Business Development Manager, Sections and Plates, Corus

Joseph J. Innace, Chief Managing Editor, Steel Markets Daily, Platts

Juergen Nusser, President, EASSC and Vice President, EUROMETAL

Olle Östensson, Special Adviser, International Trade and Commodities Division, UNCTAD

John Healy, FRMGlobal Manager - Commodity Price Risk, ABB Inc.

Georges Kirps, Vice President, EUROMETAL

Michael Piel, Vice President, Bilfinger Berger AG

Mike Davis, Global Editorial Director, Risk, Platts

Philippe Wolper, Managing Director, APEAL (The Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging)

Venue: Grand Hotel Kempinski, Geneva, Switzerland

For further information contact:
Stacey Knox
Tel: +44 (0)207 176 6226
Fax: +44 (0)207 176 8512
Email: stacey_knox@platts.com