Salzburger Aluminium Group concluded 2020 better than the automotive industry average, as the Group’s sales revenue recorded around € 155 million with a positive EBIT.
The internationally successful manufacturer of high-quality aluminium components for the automotive, commercial vehicle and railway industries started 2021 by bagging a major order for lightweight car components worth more than € 21 million driving the company with a top start. The customised parts made of special aluminium are produced using a rheocasting process.
Rheocasting parts are progressively in demand due to the trend towards e-mobility and the need to reduce the weight of vehicles because less weight means more range. SAG has also secured a major order in the railway industry: the production of thousands of aluminium glass windows for ICE trains, while the production will start in February 2021.
It is well known that the year 2020 was a rollercoaster ride for automotive suppliers; however, automotive supplier SAG overcomes the year with a very positive result.
Karin Exner-Wöhrer, CEO of SAG: “The shutdown in the automotive industry slowed us down with full force from mid-March. We reacted immediately and, thanks to quickly introduced short-time work, high flexibility and strong innovative power of our entire team, we not only survived this phase well but also used the time for investments at some locations. And we entered the market with new product ideas for sectors outside our traditional customer groups.”
“Besides, demand from the truck industry quickly picked up again from August onwards, so the slump in sales was only brief. Today we have broadly positioned thanks to ongoing orders from the commercial vehicle industry, increasing demand for rheocasting lightweight components, and R&D focus in the area of cryo-tank systems for liquid hydrogen and the expansion of the product range for sustainable mobility outside the automotive sector. Further investment steps will follow. The next months are dedicated to further expansion and diversification.”
Markus Lanschützer and Markus Schernthaner, Managing Directors of the SAG subsidiary Alutech Austria, said: “With rheocasting technology, we have created the possibility to mass-produce durable quality aluminium castings of any design at low cost. The weight saving is around 70% compared to steel parts. An advantage is that on one hand leads to a reduction in fuel consumption for vehicles with combustion engines and on the other hand is becoming increasingly important for e-vehicles. We are particularly pleased to have taken a big step into the electric vehicle market with this new major order recently signed. In addition to the plus turnover, the order also allows us to demonstrate our comprehensive competences in the heat treatment and mechanical processing of cast components.”
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