Safety, including occupational safety, has always been a top priority at STEP-G. The company consistently strives to raise its employees’ awareness so that they actively practice safety both at home and at work. STEP-G instructs its own first-aid and firefighting assistants who are trained to respond rapidly in emergencies. There are also employees at the STEP-G locations who are members of voluntary fire services or the company’s own firefighting units.
In summer 2021, everybody at the Hettstedt location learned more than ever to appreciate the importance of safety awareness and employees trained by the voluntary fire service. Thanks to their help, a fire in the dust extraction system of the foundry was quickly contained and further fire damage prevented. “I’m so glad we have employees who train in first aid and fire protection or are members of the local voluntary fire service”, says Markus Backmann, the Plant Manager of Bitterfeld and Hettstedt. He adds: “It’s only through close cooperation with community organisations and associations that we as a company can reliably protect ourselves and take rapid action in emergencies. In Germany, preventive fire protection is mainly provided by voluntary groups. It’s great that some of our employees are part of this community organisation and contribute to safety. Because no fire service would mean no safety.”
At the turn of the year, Markus Backmann and Vivian Ritter, the officer responsible for safety, health and sustainability, handed over new polo shirts to the Verein zur Förderung des Feuerwehrwesens der Stadt Hettstedt e. V. (the local firefighting support association) in the name of the STEP-G Group. Marian Franz, the Head of the Hettstedt voluntary fire service, received the new polo shirts on behalf of his colleagues and himself with sincere thanks and praise for the company. “Our job is to provide fast help and preventive fire protection. We’re especially dedicated to training young people in these skills, while giving them a sense of community as well as safety in their daily lives. That’s why we’re so happy about this donation and what it symbolises. It shows that our work is valued and that safety is taken seriously both in private life and also in companies”, said Franz.
The Hettstedt voluntary fire service successfully organises a range of information events and taster days to attract new members and integrate them into the team. The association trains adults and youngsters as firefighters and is also involved in other youth work. The importance of a well-trained team for community safety is evident from the frequent deployments of the Hettstedt voluntary fire service. In the first quarter of 2023, they were called out 54 times. With their in-depth know-how and routine, the voluntary firefighters were able to save many people from injury.
Strong regional employer since 1938
The Hettstedt location has decades of experience in manufacturing. In 2015 the smelting plant was partly modernised and in 2020 a further processing and logistics distribution centre for the company’s own-brand BUG Aluminium-Systeme was opened. The facility produces aluminium special alloys in billets for extruded profiles. The billets are used in the company’s other production locations to produce customer-specific aluminium profiles or for further processing. The profiles are used for example in the automotive, rail vehicle and construction industries. Billets from the STEP-G foundry in Hettstedt were also used to make extruded BUG windowsills which were then installed in the fire station of the Hettstedt voluntary fire service.
STEP-G is an attractive employer in the Mansfeld region. With its own foundry and the BUG further processing and logistics centre, the company offers a wide range of opportunities for career-starters and professionals looking to develop their skills. The extensive employee benefits focus on social, health-related and workplace-related improvements alongside financial security. STEP-G also emphasises its intensive training and support processes for employee development.
Press release and image material to download:
Press release "STEP-G supports voluntary firefighters in Hettstedt"
Picture "The handover of the shirts by Markus Backmann and Vivian Ritter was a special moment for the Hettstedt voluntary firefighters"
For more information please contact:
Katja Bischofberger, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: +49(0)7529 999-293
katja.bischofberger(at)step-g.com
