May 13, 2011

Shortening of payment terms

May 09, 2011

Due to the unchanged high level of raw-material prices and the resulting financial burden, the Wieland Group is facing the necessity to further shorten the payment terms for deliveries.

As from 1 May 2011 the following terms will be applicable:

• payment terms of 20 – 30 days: reduction by 10 days
• payment terms of more than 30 days: reduction by 20 days

Introduction of a framework contract for metal contracts

Wieland has for years been offering its customers the possibility of hedging against metal-price fluctuations through metal contracts. This practice will be maintained in the future. As an additional security measure for the customer and the company, Wieland is introducing a framework contract which is confirmed by the contracting parties one time only.

We kindly ask our customers to help us implement these measures. Your contact person will inform you in the coming days.

The innovation for heat exchangers

We have developed a solution, making the manufacture of high-efficiency heat exchangers possible, also for eco-friendly refrigerants such as CO2
read more

December 10, 2010

Against the background of a constant positive economic trend, leading producers and analysts expect an increase of the global copper demand next year. Consequently, the premiums for long term contracts in 2011 have been raised.

The Wieland Group is facing the necessity to pass on these costs and therefore the premiums will increase for deliveries from 1 January 2011 for the following metals:

• Copper: + 35 USD/t
• Nickel: + 100 USD/t
• Tin: + 200 USD/t
• Zinc: + 20 USD/t
• Lead: + 20 USD/t
• Aluminium: + 100 USD/t

If the economic context should change, Wieland will reserve the right to make a further adjustment.

Regardless of the temporary market influences, the Wieland Group ensures the physical metal supply by long term contracts with global metal producers and traders.

November 03, 2010

Nürnberg was host to the Chillventa from 13 to 15 October 2010. The event lived up to its reputation as leading European trade fair for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. It attracted over 880 exhibitors, 10 % more than at its première in 2008. The organisers reported that 63 % of these companies were from outside Germany.

Chillventa showcased all the different application areas for refrigeration and air conditioning, from industrial and supermarket refrigeration through to domestic air conditioning. "The feedback from both the exhibitors and the visitors was thoroughly positive. The international industry is now doing better again after some difficult months and this was clearly noticed at the exhibition," says Richard Krowoza, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse.

The team from Wieland Thermal Solutions was there for the first time, presenting their economical and efficient solutions for refrigeration and air-conditioning technology. Top attractions at the Chillventa 2010 were microgroove®, the new generation of tubes with an enhanced inner surface, and finned tubes in titanium for large-scale refrigeration systems.

• High-performance finned tubes in titanium combine superior corrosion resistance and optimised heat transfer. So even critical seawater becomes feasible as a cooling medium, especially with compact and efficient heat-exchanger designs.
• microgroove, the new, integrally finned tube allows a reduction in the volume of the cooling medium and thus more environmentally friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning systems as well as lower costs for refrigerants. Its narrow diameter allows the construction of cost-effective, smaller devices with higher power density.

The impressions gained from the many conversations with visitors were very positive indeed and the trade fair was a total success for Wieland. The next Chillventa in two years’ time is already firmly scheduled.

August 23, 2010

After last year’s massive economic downturn, the demand for Wieland products has recovered significantly.

At the same time, costs are rising disproportionately. In order to counter this development, the company continuously strives to reduce costs and to improve productivity.

Nevertheless, these steps are not sufficient to guarantee long-term economic production and to ensure product supply to our customers.

Therefore, Wieland is forced to increase the fabrication prices by 5 % as of 1 September 2010.

July 15, 2010

Sustainability in technology and economy is becoming increasingly important for German companies. Wieland-Werke AG has this year – for the second time since 2008 – offered a prize at the Ulm University of Applied Sciences for master theses whose results enhance sustainable development in ecology, economy and/or the social field.

The recipients of the award this year are Katharina Albert M. Eng. and Professor Dr. Steffen Wettengl who supervised the master thesis. In her master thesis, Katharina Albert was dealing with the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) network of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City has been planned as a carbon-neutral, car-free science city whose energy supply will be met entirely by renewable sources. Public transport will be based on a PRT network with electrically powered vehicles taking passengers to their chosen destination.

The Wieland award for sustainable technology and economy is the largest cash prize to be awarded for student research at the University of Ulm. The supervising professor also receives a sum of money in recognition of his performance and scientific activities.

May 11, 2010

The Wieland Group acquires the stake held by Kobe Steel

KobeWieland is announcing a change in the ownership structure as of October 1, 2010. The Wieland Group will take over the 40% stake held by Kobelco and will becomethe sole owner. KobeWieland will be renamed to Wieland Copper Products, LLC.

"This step is a continuation of Wieland's strategy in the North American market" said Steffen Sigloch, Chief Executive Officer of KobeWieland.

In 1999 Wieland opened a facility for outside enhanced copper tubes in Wheeling, IL. In 2003 a 50/50 joint-venture was formed with Kobelco to offer the full range of copper tubes for HVACR applications. The company has seen substantial investment in machinery and R&D over the last 7 years.

KobeWieland, based in Pine Hall, NC, is a leading manufacturer of copper tubing for the HVACR and plumbing wholesale markets. It employs 525 associates at its plants in Pine Hall, NC, and Wheeling, IL. The Wieland Group, headquartered in Ulm, Germany, is a leading manufacturer of semi-finished products in copper and copper alloys and employs about 6,500 associates in facilities in Europe, Asia and the United States.

From 1. May 2010

As a result of the economic crisis and the continuously high metal prices, the financial burden for the Wieland Group has increased significantly.

Therefore, as from 1 May 2010 the company will reduce the payment terms for deliveries by one third. This preventive step is necessary to ensure a stable financing in the long term.

We thank you for your understanding.

24.04.10
cuproform® for added value!

Quality as usual – plus exceptional forming properties. This is cuproform®, the new special soft copper tube with exceptional formability. Stop employing high priced special fittings and start creating added value the easy way.

Tube forming is the key process for many applications. Forming operations include for example: expanding, bending, upsetting and beading.

cuproform® has been designed for applications where, compared to standard requirements, the tube’s forming properties are extremely demanding.

Industrial copper tubes from conventional production do not always meet these high demands. Therefore, it is often necessary to use additional special fittings made from other materials. This results in further production steps and consequently higher production costs.

By using cuproform® you can save these costs and at the same time create added value and optimise production efficiency.

Controlled manufacturing conditions, which have been changed compared to standard production, allow to expand the ends of cuproform® industrial copper tubes with exceptional forming properties up to 80 %. These exceptional forming properties are tested and certified in the inspection certificate.

Beyond that, cuproform® offers all the other advantages of copper.

cuproform® can be used wherever soft copper tubes with exceptional forming properties are required.