Salzgitter steel for the world’s largest IKEA distribution center

To satisfy the structural requirements, Salzgitter Bauelemente GmbH supplied around 2,000 tons of cassette and trapezoidal sections (see Figure 2) in hot-dip galvanized S280GD+Z and S320GD+Z construction steel in six different sizes. This was one of our biggest individual orders and a prime example of the efficient process chain within the Salzgitter Group. Without delay the 2,000 tons of input stock were manufactured just-in-time by Salzgitter Flachstahl.

Despite the closeness of the new warehouse center, the vertical range of processing required for this order presented a logistical challenge. The strip was rolled at the tandem mill and first hot-dip galvanized before being coated with a polyester lacquer. "When the strip was being coated, we were particularly careful to maintain the precise color consistency of the polyester lacquer," reports Jana Heß from Technical Customer Services. The key to the schedule prepared by Volker Tunnat (Central Production and Dispatch Control, Salzgitter Flachstahl) was to ensure that the main batch of more than 1,600 tons in four different formats passed through the strip coating process without interruption, so as to avoid even minor color variations.

Product quality is subject to inspection throughout the entire production process. Besides the technological and mechanical properties, the thickness and adhesion of the zinc coating are continuously monitored. Likewise flexibility of the lacquer coat applied at 250 degrees Celsius had also to be tested before the rust-proofed material was supplied to SZG Bauelemente for forming.

"Despite the bottlenecks in the supply of steel, we were able to complete the order in just four weeks and ship the material out to Salzgitter Bauelemente," says Bernd Arnold from Sales. Given the volume, that’s good going.

Product Manager Mike Jens Schrader at SZG Bauelemente summed up the situation: "Particularly when steel is in short supply, the internal cooperation between Group companies really comes into its own. Every shipment arrived on time."

IKEA was equally impressed: The new furniture store in Osnabrück is also being built with Salzgitter steel.