Salzgitter Flachstahl has appointed Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold as new CEO

The Supervisory Board of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH (SZFG) has appointed Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold as the new Chair of the Management Board, effective May 1, 2025. Dr. Denecke-Arnold will succeed Ulrich Grethe, who will retire on December 31, 2024, after a long tenure with the company. During the interim period, the current management team will report to the board of Salzgitter AG.

Dr. Denecke-Arnold brings over 25 years of management experience in the steel industry, with extensive expertise in areas such as sales, production, quality, supply chain management, and logistics. She holds a doctorate in metallurgy and materials science from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen.

Gunnar Groebler, Chair of the SZFG Supervisory Board and CEO of Salzgitter AG, expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating, "We are very pleased to have secured Dr. Denecke-Arnold, a highly experienced expert in the steel industry, to lead our company. As we are in the midst of transitioning to low-CO2 production processes, I am confident that Dr. Denecke-Arnold will play a crucial role in advancing the SALCOS® – Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking program and developing solutions that create value for our customers. This will contribute to the future of steel production in Germany."

Groebler also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing CEO, Ulrich Grethe, highlighting his significant role in shaping the company's direction during his time, from starting as a trainee to becoming Chair of the Management Board. "His dedication and leadership have positioned the Salzgitter site as a key player in the steel industry," Groebler added.

Dr. Denecke-Arnold expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, saying, "I am excited to take on this responsibility during such a pivotal time for the company. I firmly believe that steel will remain a cornerstone of industrial materials and will continue to be produced successfully in Germany. The ongoing transformation is essential to this future."

The leadership change marks an important step in Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH's ongoing efforts to innovate and remain competitive in the evolving steel industry.

Source and Photo: Salzgitter AG