Ferroglobe Engages with the European Works Council on Proposals to Optimize Its Asset Footprint and Enhance Competitiveness in Europe
On March 29, 2021, Ferroglobe PLC (Nasdaq:GSM) announced its engagement with the European Works Council to discuss an asset optimization program aimed at ensuring its long-term viability in Europe. The Company plans to scale back production at certain facilities, aligning its asset footprint with market demand and improving operational efficiency. CEO Marco Levi emphasized that these strategic actions are crucial for enhancing financial health and competitiveness, reflecting past performance challenges. The focus includes optimizing production costs and trimming overheads.
- Engagement with the European Works Council to discuss strategic asset optimization.
- Focus on aligning production capacities with market demand for better operational efficiency.
- Planned reduction in overhead costs to improve overall competitiveness.
- Scaling back production may lead to reduced operational capacity in Europe.
- The need to adjust production stems from previous financial performance challenges.
LONDON, March 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferroglobe PLC (Nasdaq:GSM) (the “Company”), one of the world’s leading producers of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based specialty alloys, announced today that it has engaged with the European Works Council (“EWC”) to discuss details of proposals for an asset optimization program designed to safeguard its long-term future in Europe. Through this process, the Company is seeking to reduce or cease production at some of its sites in Europe.
Through a broader strategic turnaround plan, Ferroglobe seeks to enhance its financial position and overall competitiveness and ensuring the optimal asset footprint is a critical pillar driving this strategy. During the meeting, which marked the official start of the workers council consultation process with the EWC, Ferroglobe shared initial proposals about its strategic plan. This plan is focused on several areas for improvement, including:
- Adjusting our asset footprint to align production capacities and demand by focusing on the most technically advanced, operationally flexible and financially competitive sites;
- Focusing on the sites which support the broader commercial strategy and shift in product mix;
- Deploying resources at sites which provide significant opportunity to make further production cost improvements to ensure competitiveness through the cycle; and
- Trimming down costs with further efficiency and reduction in overhead.
The planned adjustment of production capacity is a further step to adjust our fixed cost structure and is a continuation of similar actions that have recently been taken in the United States and Norway to curtail or permanently stop production. While we are scaling back our overall production capacity, this effort ensures greater utilization at our remaining assets, which contributes to the improved production costs. The future asset footprint ensures sufficient capacity to serve expected demand levels, and meet our customer’s specific needs.
Marco Levi, Ferroglobe’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “The commencement of our discussion with the European Works Council comes after months of in-depth analysis and deliberation around the optimal asset footprint for Ferroglobe to provide profitability and competitiveness through the cycle. Potential adjustment to our production, subject to a social procedure with the EWC, supports our objective of bolstering our overall cost position and ability to service customers more competitively across Europe.” Dr. Levi added, “In order to turn around Ferroglobe, we have to take some actions that are difficult, yet necessary. Our financial performance over the past few years highlights the need for change and the actions we are proposing are critical steps in turning around the Company, both operationally and financially. We are confident that the proposed actions will make our business stronger and secure a successful future for our platform in Europe.”
About Ferroglobe
Ferroglobe is one of the world’s leading suppliers of silicon metal, silicon-based and manganese-based specialty alloys and ferroalloys, serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, automotive, consumer products, construction and energy. For more information, visit http://investor.ferroglobe.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions of management and describe Ferroglobe’s future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements often use forward-looking terminology, including words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predicts”, “seek”, “will” and words of similar meaning or the negative thereof.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on information currently available to Ferroglobe and assumptions that management believe to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain. As a result, Ferroglobe’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Ferroglobe’s control.
All information in this press release is as of the date of its release. Ferroglobe does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any of the forward- looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, events or circumstances arising after the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Gaurav Mehta
Executive Vice President - Investor Relations
investor.relations@ferroglobe.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Cristina Feliu Roig
Executive Director – Communications & Public Affairs
corporate.comms@ferroglobe.com
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