Nedstaal was one of the first Dutch companies to become affiliated with GDF SUEZ Global Energy. The more advanced professionalization of energy procurement is an important argument for choosing the pan-European energy label.
Nedstaal BV is an innovative specialist company providing built-to-order superior quality steel and has customers both in the Netherlands and internationally. Nedstaal steel is used in particular for manufacturing cars, trucks, boats, heavy machinery and power plants. Last year, the company celebrated its 70th anniversary.
When it comes to energy, a large multinational company such as Nedstaal demands a built-to-order approach. With an average annual consumption of 180 GWh of electricity and 27 million m³ of gas, the company can certainly be counted as one of the largest energy customers in the Netherlands. Through GDF SUEZ Global Energy, the company benefits from all expertise and available instruments, in particular in the area of (multinational) procurement strategy.
For two years now, Nedstaal has set out to professionalize energy procurement and to better adapt procurement to its own energy needs. It therefore chose Electrabel for electricity in 2008. For the 2009 to 2010 period, Nedstaal has signed a contract with GDF SUEZ for gas. As of this year, GDF SUEZ Global Energy has been supplying the steelmaker with both gas and electricity.
“Having a European and world vision of the energy market was a very important point for us”, says Reinier van Wijck, Nedstaal's manager of Energy & Environment. “Given the volumes and daily change in the situation on the energy market, our energy procurement increasingly emphasizes risk management”.
Since energy procurement is increasingly becoming a form of risk management, Nedstaal was looking for a powerful strategic partner like GDF SUEZ Global Energy. “That can be explained by the absolute value of energy prices. The energy market is volatile”, says Reinier van Wijck. “Energy is no longer a shared asset as it was in the past, but one of the most significant, and therefore high-risk, cost items. That is why we are studying closely how to buy in the best and most intelligent way possible as well as how to manage risk. On the other hand, we do our best to seize favourable moments in the market. In this context, it is vital to thoroughly understand price trends. GDF SUEZ Global Energy is flexible and provides customization. We can purchase energy as efficiently as possible based on our consumption profile", he adds.
Flexible procurement means reacting to market trends. It is an approach that is just as necessary for covering risks. Now that we are in an economic crisis, we need GDF SUEZ Global Energy in order to limit the risks for our energy portfolio", Reinier van Wijck emphasized. “Nedstaal’s consumption profile changed quite a bit following the economic situation. So everything depends on a good level of cooperation to confront the consequences. GDF SUEZ Global Energy is the right match for arriving at good solutions in this context".
The human factor is also an important argument for the partnership. Nedstaal is satisfied with the professionalism and enthusiasm of the team that is responsible for it at GDF SUEZ Global Energy.
In future, Nedstaal intends to continue to deepen the cooperation, possibly in the area of energy savings. “We want to go much further with sustainability. For our line of business – a primary industry -- it is a great challenge for the future. In this context, GDF SUEZ Global Energy can become an important partner and support”.
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