The AD-Fachverband Aluminiumhalbzeuge has a new chairman in Volker Backs. He succeeds Frank Busenbecker and will have Martin Knötgen as his deputy.
Volker Backs, member of the management board of Speira GmbH, is the new chairman of the AD- Fachverband Aluminiumhalbzeug. He was elected by the general meeting of the Aluminium Semi-Finished Products Association in Düsseldorf without a dissenting vote and with one abstention. Backs succeeds Frank Busenbecker, Director DACH Strategy at Hydro Extrusion Europe, who chaired the association from 2018 to 2024. Martin Knötgen, personally liable partner and CEO of OTTO FUCHS KG, was also elected as deputy with one abstention and no votes against.
„I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me and look forward to the upcoming tasks in the professional association. I would also like to expressly thank my predecessor, Frank Busenbecker, for his many years of commitment. The aluminium semis industry is making an important contribution to the transformation. Europe needs us and will become greener with us. Climate protection only works with a strong industry. That is why we continue to campaign for competitive framework conditions, against unfair competition and in favour of a policy that integrates climate protection and industrial value creation. We constructively and confidently point out necessities and show perspectives!“
Volker Backs
The General Meeting took place in a challenging environment for the companies. The year 2023 was characterised by significant declines, both in the rolled products segment and for the extruders. The outlook for 2024 is also cautious. The outlook for the material remains favourable, but companies in Germany are facing major challenges. This is shown by the survey of 50 member companies, which complained above all about the high energy costs, heavy bureaucracy and unfair competitive conditions.
„Together, we have overcome challenges, taken innovative paths and advanced the status of aluminium and its industry. This journey is not yet complete. There is still a lot to do. We need an economic policy agenda 2030 - an agenda that creates trust and planning security and helps the industrial location to regain its strength.“
Frank Busenbecker
Source: Aluminium Germany
