Wire solutions from a single source - Interview with our Head of Sales and Application Engineering Bernd Strohhaeussl

Mr. Strohhaeussl, what does "wire solutions from a single source" mean to you - and what is the advantage for customers?

All process steps - from steel production to the finished wire - take place within voestalpine. This guarantees consistently high quality, flexibility and enables individual solutions, as we can intervene in many process steps.

Why is it an advantage from the customer's point of view that all process steps take place in one company, in a "one-stop-shop" so to speak?

With a "one-stop-shop", customers benefit from low coordination costs and the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the process - this creates space for innovative, tailor-made solutions. Anyone who has ever built a house knows the risks that can arise when different trades have to work together. It's the same here.

As an Application Engineer, when do you typically get involved in customer projects?

Ideally at an early stage to achieve the best possible result together. Technical advice right from the start enables efficient solutions - later is not too late, but earlier is usually better to fulfill the customer's wishes in the best possible way.

What are typical challenges that you solve together with customers?

Every task is individual - from surface optimization to material development. Our strength lies in customized, application-oriented solutions for the most diverse challenges.

What distinguishes your company from a traditional wire supplier?

We see ourselves as a development partner, not just a supplier. Our long-standing customer relationships are based on trust, flexibility and active support. We recently received a gift from one of our long-standing customers for our 60-year partnership. That makes me proud.  But we also offer partnership-based behavior when it comes to short-term needs, e.g. to win an important new project, which we support and accompany as flexibly as possible.

How does the material influence the subsequent wire performance and how do you select it?

The material is one of the most important success factors in a customer project. At the same time, precisely coordinated process management plays a central role. I start with the rough requirements such as hardenability, strength or wear resistance - these help to narrow down the selection. There is usually a customer specification that serves as a specification sheet.

But this is just the beginning. Selecting the optimum material within these specifications requires a close exchange with the customer - because we need to understand exactly what is to be achieved. Although you might think that a fixed specification defines everything, we almost always find ways to further refine the material. This is precisely why we offer around 400 different types of steel, even though many customers only actively request around 100 of them.

How do you ensure that every process step - from the raw material to the finished wire solution - is tailored to the customer?

Through a deep understanding of processes, intensive exchange with customers and continuous development - feedback is a key success factor.

What can customers expect when they start a project with voestalpine Wire Technology?

Full commitment, professional breadth and technological depth - we apply our expertise in a targeted manner and pursue every project with the highest quality standards.