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voestalpine supports Caritas Japan project

2011-07-04 | 

In mid April, soon after the severe earthquakes and devastating Tsunami, the Management Board of voestalpine AG decided to support the people of Japan with a major donation. A project was sought that would offer lasting support apart from regional news coverage. A project that would extend beyond current crisis management efforts and would provide long-term assistance.

  • voestalpine donates EUR 350,000 to the “Fujinosono Children's Home”
  • Caritas building project in cooperation with the Order of Malta
  • Lasting support to unprivileged girls and boys

This search led to the Fujinosono Children’s Home in the small town of Ichinoseki, in the hard hit Iwate prefecture. “In view of the severity of the catastrophe, the number of victims and the extent of destruction and suffering, it was clear that we would offer aid, but it was very difficult to filter suitable projects from the multitude of possibilities. Caritas made it much easier for us to choose our specific project,” emphasized Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of voestalpine AG. In cooperation with the Order of Malta as well as Austrian sponsors and donors, Caritas would like to give the children of Fujinosono a new home.

Presentation of cheque on July 4

On July 4, 2011, in Wien, Dr. Eder presented a cheque for over EUR 350,000 to Franz Küberl, president of the Caritas Foundation. Mr. Küberl is delighted with the Austrian company's “great demonstration of humanity”: “voestalpine's contribution is a major building stone for the Children's House in Ichinoseki, helping to provide a new home for the children that is both beautiful and safe. Apart from the loving care provided by Sister Caelina and her team, that's exactly what they need to find peace and security.”

“Our more than 50 year business relationship with Japanese companies is one of the reasons we feel closely linked to the fate of the Japanese people. Through the closer business relationships we have built up in recent years – especially in the Steel and Stainless Steel Divisions – we personally felt the effects of these dramatic events. We now hope – above and beyond the business aspect – and especially in the name of our employees, that the suffering experienced during the catastrophe can be replaced by new hope for the future,” stresses Wolfgang Eder, highlighting the emotional aspect of this donation.

The voestalpine Group

voestalpine is a globally active group with a number of specialized and flexible companies that produce, process and further develop high-quality steel products. The Group is represented by 360 production and sales companies in more than 60 countries. With its highest quality flat steel products, voestalpine is one of Europe's leading partners to the automotive, white goods, and energy industries. Furthermore, voestalpine is the world market leader in turnout technology, tool steel, and special sections, as well as number one in Europe in the production of rails. In the business year 2010/11, the voestalpine Group generated revenues of around EUR 11 billion, and achieved an operating result (EBIT) of almost EUR 1 billion; the Group has around 47,000 employees worldwide.