International Operations

Technology developments for specific markets

Corus employees at its Living Solutions business.

Corus is British Triathlon’s main sponsor.

Many development projects are aimed at tailoring product properties to the needs of specific markets and customers.

Construction
Following a programme of technical improvements at its Scunthorpe and Teesside plants, Corus introduced a new brand name, ‘Advance’, for its range of structural sections in September 2006. Corus was the first steel company to be allowed to use the CE mark on its sections, as proof of compliance, and all Advance sections carry the mark.

Automotive and other transport
Automotive is a key market sector for Corus with a large potential for adding customer value, not only by supplying advanced steel grades, but also by collaborating with customers, aiming at early involvement in the design of new car models.

An example of how Corus collaborates with key customers, using customer support tools developed over the past few years, is found in the development of Ford’s new Galaxy model range. Corus has been working closely with Ford to help the car maker implement the latest high strength steel grades. Corus has used its material expertise and simulation capabilities to help Ford identify areas where material selection can be optimised for a number of key parts for the rear structure of the new Galaxy.

Corus has also employed its unique materials simulation technique named ‘Forming to Crash’ to help Ford engineers evaluate the crash performance of key parts of a vehicle such as the rear longitudinals made from dual phase material during the Galaxy’s development process.

Packaging
Thinner packaging materials lead to reduced weight and thereby less waste and a lower burden on the environment. Though development potential is gradually decreasing as physical limits of the production processes are being approached, research into possibilities for downgauging continues. As a result of these efforts, at the end of 2005, Corus introduced a uniquely thinner material of 0.18 mm for easy-open, end food cans, that delivered a 10% material saving.

Engineering
Chain partnerships are one way for Corus to focus development and ensure long term supply relationships. One such partnership between Corus and Wigpool Ltd. for the development of high quality machined components is helping leading motorcycle manufacturer Triumph to stay ahead of its competitors. Corus has worked with Wigpool, one of the UK’s leading contract machinists, to help it select the most appropriate high specification steel grades for its manufacturing process, thereby improving the performance of key components whilst reducing costs. For this purpose, Corus is supplying Wigpool with one of its Hitenspeed easily machinable, high tensile steel grades.

Corus people

Corus is proud of its international workforce. The individual commitment and complete engagement of 100% of Corus employees in Continuous Improvement is key in translating the benefits of this programme into both operational and financial performance.

Corus places the highest value on the health, safety and well-being of all employees, on teamwork based on mutual trust and respect, on personal commitment and employee involvement and on conducting business with honesty, integrity and reliability. Corus is committed to the training and development of all its employees. For two years running, in the UK, Corus was included in “The Times Top 100” graduate employers, last issued in September 2006.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate responsibility is integral to the way that Corus does business and involves the integration of its financial and strategic goals with the following initiatives in the fields of :

Health and Safety
The most important priority for Corus is to ensure the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors, visitors and communities. A positive health and safety culture is encouraged which does not tolerate unsafe behaviour. Its objective is to be world-class in health and safety performance.

• The frequency of lost time injuries measured in terms of million hours worked, reduced from 2.9 in 2005 to 2.5 in 2006
• 147 Executive Committee safety tours were carried out
• Improvement in sickness absence rate from 4.2% in 2005 to 3.8% in 2006

Environment

• Corus’ businesses have systems in place that focus on managing and minimising the effects of their operations. 100% of manufacturing operations have now been certified to the independently verified international environmental management standard, ISO 14001.
• Corus has a voluntary agreement with the Dutch government to benchmark its energy efficiency against world-best standards. In the UK, Corus has negotiated an agreement with the government to reduce total energy consumption by 14.7% in 2010 compared with 1997 levels.
• Corus is working with other steelmakers in Europe on a major research and development project (ULCOS – Ultra Low CO₂ Steelmaking) to identify and prioritise low CO₂ emission iron and steelmaking processes, with the ambitious objective of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.
• Corus’ compliance with formal regulatory emission limits (emissions to air and water) improved again during the year and the target of 99% was met.
• Corus has established a high level Climate Change Task Force, which will develop the forward strategy in this area.
• Increasing attention is being focused on developing products that have a better environmental profile or that have inherent environmental advantages.
• Corus launched an environmental intranet site during 2006, to promote good practice exchange within the Company.
  

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