Volker Backs (in the picture on the right), a member of the management of Speira GmbH, is the new chairman of the AD aluminium semi-finished products trade association. He was elected by the general meeting of the aluminium semi-finished products trade association in Düsseldorf without a dissenting vote with one abstention. Backs succeeded Frank Busenbecker, Director of DACH Strategy at Hydro Extrusion Europe, who chaired the association from 2018 to 2024. Martin Knötgen, personally liable partner and CEO of OTTO FUCHS KG, was also elected as a deputy without a dissenting vote with one abstention.
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"I would like to thank you for your trust and look forward to the upcoming tasks in the professional association. "My express thanks also go to my predecessor, Frank Busenbecker, for his many years of commitment," said Backs.
"The aluminium semi-finished products industry is making an important contribution to the transformation. Europe needs us and will become greener with us. Climate protection only works with a strong industry. That is why we continue to advocate for competitive framework conditions against unfair competition and a policy integrating climate protection and industrial value creation. We point out the needs constructively and self-confidently and point out perspectives!" continued Backs.
"Together, we have overcome challenges, taken innovative paths and advanced the value of aluminium as a material and its industry. This path is not yet complete. There is still a lot to do." Busenbecker emphasised and added: "We need an economic policy Agenda 2030 - an agenda that creates trust and planning security and helps the industrial location to gain new strength."
The general meeting took place in a challenging environment for the companies. The year 2023 was marked by significant declines, both in the rolled products segment and for extrusion presses. The outlook for 2024 is also cautious. The prospects for the material remain optimistic, but companies in Germany are in great demand. This is shown by the survey among 50 member companies, which complained above all about high energy costs, heavy bureaucracy and unfair competitive conditions.
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