So it does work in Europe after all!

One of the results of the Executive Circle at the beginning of October was the visible will to get back on the road to success together through increased cooperation and synergies. Johannes Messer, Managing Director of the consulting company of the same name, believes that these are the best prerequisites for turning opportunities into success. The experienced industry expert comments on this success for EUROGUSS 365. His conclusion: It does work!

Johannes Messer, Managing Director of Johannes Messer - Consulting GmbH.

There is an unusually high level of agreement among experts that the situation we are currently in is not easy. This applies to political, economic and social issues, both nationally, internationally and globally. What is special about the current situation is the great interdependence of the issues, which leads to an extraordinary level of complexity.

This also applies to the automotive industry and therefore to the aluminium foundry industry in Europe. In addition to opinions, this is also evidenced by a large number of key figures, both in terms of causes and effects.

An equation with many unknowns

Decision-makers in companies find it difficult to answer the key question arising from the situation: "What do we need to do to be successful in this environment in the long term?". The equation has so many unknowns that there is no classic solution; there is simply no empirical data for such complex situations.

The fact that crises offer opportunities is not just an empty phrase, but has often been proven. There are opportunities that cannot be prevented, they are simply there. The probability that the aluminium foundry industry in Europe will be able to benefit from the current opportunities without change is very low, but cannot be ruled out in individual cases.

So much for the initial situation.

Regardless of the complexity of the situation, companies need to answer the question: "What do we need to do?" The aim must be to turn opportunities into success. In order to pursue this goal, the following questions must first be answered: "What is our mission?" And: "Who are our customers?"

Interaction between all process steps is important

Many foundries often describe their mission in their strategies as "manufacturing technologically and economically leading (best) cast products". Their customers are predominantly from the automotive industry.

A look at the process chain for the production of cast parts clearly shows that the opportunities and success of the products and therefore the companies are not only to be sought and defined in their own company or process step. Real success can only be achieved through the interaction of all process steps.

In order to positively change the influencing factors

• Total Cost of Ownership,
• Time to Market and
• Technological Lead

it is necessary to leverage the potential of all process steps along the entire process chain. The key success factors here are process expertise and the willingness to work together.

Cooperation as a lever for success

In terms of expertise along the aluminium die casting process chain, Europe offers the best conditions worldwide and is therefore a real guarantee of success.

The willingness to work together is therefore the variable lever for success. One of the main objectives of the first EUROGUSS Executive Circle was to successfully utilise this lever. Decision-makers from the aluminium die casting process chain in Europe discussed strategic issues together with the Zukunftsinstitut. Collaboration was a key topic.

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success.

Henry Ford, industrialist and business magnate

The industry, which is often said to be highly resistant to advice and unwilling to cooperate, discussed, exchanged ideas and calibrated itself at the Executive Circle. A common understanding of the major challenges currently facing the die casting industry worldwide and in Europe in particular was developed. Initial co-operations have been established.

At EUROGUSS (16-18 January 2024) and the Executive Circle (17 January 2024) taking place there, the network of the European die casting industry will meet again to turn opportunities into success together.

So it does work in Europe after all!

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