Page 21 - MELLBY_MAGASIN_EN_2024

FERALCO

Investing in greater resilience
in turbulent times

The entire industrial sector in Europe – and the chemicals industry
in particular – had a tough 2024. But Feralco Group rolled up its
sleeves and invested in order to future-proof its value chain and
product portfolio. And the work paid off.

Despite a complicated and challenging market, Feralco Group in the water treatment sector, and invested in a new production
is delivering a strong financial performance for 2024. A facility in the UK. It also witnessed strong growth in its service-based
series of events beyond the company’s control, such as offering known as Feralco Water Solutions.
floods, droughts, infrastructure changes and war, drastically changed
the company’s home market – Europe. “If we are to deliver the same end result to our customers in the
future, we need to find new ways to do so,” says Ludovic Huitorel. “For
“What happened around us this year was of almost biblical propor- example, we’re looking a great deal at how we can maximize the use
tions,” says Ludovic Huitorel, co-CEO of Feralco Group. “We can say of different by-products in our production processes and those of our
we're satisfied satisfied with the year’s financial performance, but it’s customers.”
been a struggle.”

“Obviously, this has affected how we work and how we interact with
our customers and suppliers,” says Stephen Childs, co-CEO of Feralco
Group. “Suddenly streamlining, rationalization or bankruptcy take
place – and we need to handle it. This year certainly taught us to be
nimble. At the same time, the Group has become more autonomous
and flexible.”

FERALCO INVESTING IN THE VALUE CHAIN ROLLING UP ITS SLEEVES AHEAD OF 2025
The European industrial landscape is changing drastically, including When the two CEOs are asked to summarize the year in one word,
for the chemicals industry, in which Feralco Group operates. Ludovic they choose ‘resilience’. Feralco Group will continue with its invest­
Huitorel and Stephen Childs testify to an industry struggling to ment strategy going forward to deliver on its customer promise. It
manage energy costs, production facilities, and to find raw materials. will take hard work from all those employed in the company, but
Feralco Group employees are not afraid to roll up their sleeves when
“Everyone in our industry is experiencing rising costs and more necessary.
uncertain supply chains,” says Stephen Childs. “Being a local producer
like us is a strength in this respect, and we’re continuing to invest in “I think it’s fantastic to see the commitment and pride among our
our value chain so we can deal with the uncertainties of the market.” staff,” he says. “It was a challenging year for us, but they always go
in with a positive attitude and a desire to find constructive solutions.
To become more resilient, Feralco Group is investing in integrating Stephen and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our
more stages of its value chain into its own operations. colleagues for their efforts throughout the year,” concludes Ludovic
Huitorel.
This year certainly taught us
to be nimble. At the same time,
the Group has become more

autonomous and flexible

STEPHEN CHILDS

INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE OFFERING STEPHEN CHILDS AND
Feralco Group is also searching for investments that can broaden the LUDOVIC HUITOREL,
Group’s offering and reduce its products’ carbon footprint. During the CEOs
year, Feralco Group acquired the Italian company ECO 92, which is
able to convert industrial waste from water treatment into new inputs

21