Jun 27 2008
Barat Carbide GmbH has changed its name to Element Six Hard Materials. Having joined Element Six in late 2007, it now represents a major business area for the company as a whole. The name change reflects Element Six's ambitions to build on its leadership in the materials technology sector, particularly in the field of supermaterials such as tungsten carbide, synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride.
Karl-Georg Hildebrand, as executive director, is leading this business area as it makes its transition to a full part of the Element Six group. "As Hard Materials we have a strong position in the mining and construction markets with products based mainly on tungsten carbide," notes Karl-Georg Hildebrand. "Being a part of Element Six means that we can benefit from the synergies of the company as a whole. For our customers this means that we can combine our strengths and technology with expertise from other business areas. This makes us a powerful force in the materials technology sector."
This is a very exciting period in the materials business as rapid developments in technology are creating new market opportunities. To benefit from these developments, Element Six has created a new company structure and organisation that will help the company build on its current success and to seek out new markets and opportunities.
The new organisation recognises the fact that Element Six has particular leadership in different markets and needs to have a group structure that can support these markets more effectively. It also reflects the fact that Element Six lives in a highly competitive and rapidly changing world where success relies on being adaptable and responsive to its customers. Element Six Hard Materials is one of four business areas that comprise Element Six; the others are E6 Advanced Materials, E6 Oil & Gas, E6 Technologies. In addition, Element Six is operating a separate venture fund activity, E6 Ventures.
Karl-Georg Hildebrand explains, "As Element Six Hard Materials, we can take advantage of the convergence between superabrasives and tungsten carbide- materials that have been perceived as having distinct markets and application areas. The combined knowledge base of Element Six in these areas will lead product innovation to deliver new levels of performance to our customers."