Olaf Lies, Minister of Economic Affairs, confers award on Salzgitter AG subsidiary

Klöckner DESMA Schuhmaschinen GmbH, a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG, has won Lower Saxony's German Foreign Trade Prize. Olaf Lies, Minister of Economic Affairs, conferred the prize on commercial manager Klaus Freese at the Hanover trade fair.

DESMA is technology leader in the special-purpose machine business and maintains a global presence. There is hardly a country in the world where DESMA is not represented through its machines. The DESMA business model and corporate strategy are based on producing and marketing technologically sophisticated products for the shoe industry on the global market.

During the ceremony, Minister Olaf Lies commented as follows: "The Foreign Trade Prize is the North Germany's export Oscar award. DESMA's consistently high export share in particular convinced the jury in its decision, along with the company's sophisticated sales concept customized to suit the respective country." The Minister also praised the company's personnel policy and the sustainable, environmentally compatible manner in which production resources are handled.

"Our long-standing export experience qualifies us for this award", explained Klaus Freese. "We have fostered a strong customer orientation in many different countries and cultures for many years." Companies from Lower Saxony that operate successfully in international markets all over the world and achieve top performance in international competition can compete for Lower Saxony's Foreign Trade Prize - all characteristics that aptly describe DESMA. The company's export share measured against its sales currently stands at more than 90%. Consequently, jobs at DESMA depend decisively on foreign trade activities. The most important customer countries are currently China and the USA. Many products are also sold within the EU. DESMA has operations spanning the globe, and is well positioned through its sales offices and representatives.

The company was founded in Achim in 1946 and has ranked as a global player for many years. Industry experts also view DESMA as a "hidden champion". The financial year 2014 was the most successful in DESMA's recent history. The company employs 220 staff at its headquarters in Achim and eight members of staff in China.

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