• AI-supported software called “smartsearch” analyzes customer inquiries and quickly finds the right products

• smartsearch is an add-on for “smart ORDER” that provides answers to open-ended inquiries

• Language models increase the success rate and offer support in searching for materials

thyssenkrupp Schulte, which is part of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, uses smartsearch, an in-house software solution that analyzes open-ended customer inquiries with the help of artificial intelligence and compares them with the product catalog. The aim is to achieve a higher degree of automation in quotations and orders to make processes more efficient for customers and sales. The AI software reads and analyzes customer requests, automatically searches the product catalog for the required product, and promptly generates a complete quotation.

• thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services piloted the all-electric Tesla Semi at one of its California logistics hubs as part of its sustainability initiatives.

• The truck was tested over 5,000 miles in winter conditions to evaluate efficiency, performance and transparency of logistics.

• As a Tesla logistics partner since 2015, the company plans to integrate electric trucks into its fleet to reduce transportation emissions.

thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions and part of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, recently completed a pilot of the all-electric Tesla Semi at one of its logistics hubs in California. The initiative, part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, supports ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact and increase logistics efficiency and transparency.

• The supply chain services division of thyssenkrupp Materials Services in the U.S. has been named one of the best 3PL providers in North America for 2025 by Armstrong & Associates and Transport Topics.

• The recognition ranks thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services #20 in Dry Warehousing and #33 in Dedicated Transportation.

• This rating underscores the market relevance of thyssenkrupp Materials Services in its growth market North America with thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Solutions’ more than 80 warehouse locations with 17 million square feet space and its various supply chain solutions.

thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, part of the supply chain solutions unit of thyssenkrupp Materials Services – one of the world’s leading materials distribution and service providers – has been recognized as a Top 3PL (Third Party Logistics) provider for 2025 by both Armstrong & Associates, a renowned logistics market research institute, and Transport Topics, an industry newspaper. The dual recognition in the Dry Warehousing and Dedicated Transportation categories underlines thyssenkrupp Materials Services commitment to service excellence, operational innovation, and customer-focused logistics solutions that deliver measurable value across global supply chains. The Dry Warehousing category is ranked based on the square footage of warehouse space, while the Dedicated Transportation category is ranked based on the size of the truck fleet.

With the integration of the thyssenkrupp AG Technology Center India into the thyssenkrupp Materials Services segment, the group is merging its IT expertise in India. By combining resources and technical expertise, thyssenkrupp aims to drive operational efficiency and innovation development, key to supporting the company's growth and transformation. The technological expertise is being deepened by bringing together IT experts from different fields under one roof, and the quality of services for the entire group is being increased.

“This is an important step in strengthening our IT capabilities in India and further increasing our innovative strength. The combined expertise of our teams will enable us to respond more agilely to the requirements of our segments and our customers. Around three quarters of our customers at thyssenkrupp Materials Services want more digital solutions from their partners – and the India location plays a very important role for us in developing these solutions. For example, the digitalization of supply chains is an essential factor in increasing transparency and resilience in procurement,” explains Ilse Henne, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Services and the member of the thyssenkrupp AG Executive Board responsible for IT, during a visit to India.

thyssenkrupp Materials Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Heather Wijdekop as the new CEO of the Business Unit Processing, effective July 1st, 2025. In addition, Dr. Wijdekop will head the Operating Unit Processing North America as CEO. In both roles, she will succeed Norbert Goertz, who will remain interim CFO of the Business Unit Solutions and lead the Corporate Functions for the thyssenkrupp Materials North America headquarters in Southfield, Michigan.

Ilse Henne, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, comments: “We look forward to welcoming Dr. Heather Wijdekop to our Executive Leadership Team. Her extensive business experience, strong customer focus and intercultural leadership skills will help us to consistently implement our materials as a service strategy and further exploit our growth opportunities. At the same time, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Norbert Goertz for his leadership and continuing commitment. With his focus on the functions as CFO of the Business Unit Solutions and Head of the Corporate Functions in our North America headquarters, he will continue to play a key role in achieving our growth targets together with Dr. Wijdekop and the entire leadership team.”

• Hydnum Steel's plant in Puertollano will supply the global German company with 100,000 tons of decarbonized flat steel per year for an initial period of seven years.

• thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe has processing facilities and distribution centres across Europe and a wide range of customers in sectors including automotive, construction and household appliances.

 Hydnum Steel, the first clean steel plant in Southern Europe, and thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, a European leader in steel and aluminum processing, are joining forces to drive the transition to a decarbonized steel industry. Hydnum Steel is building an innovative flat steel plant in Puertollano, Spain, to become one of the leading green steel producers in Europe. Under the terms of the strategic agreement signed by the two companies, Hydnum Steel will supply thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe with up to 100,000 tons of decarbonized flat steel per year for an initial period of seven years from the start of the plant's operations. This commitment underlines the growing interest of major industrial players in low environmental impact steel and reinforces both companies as leaders in terms of sustainability and advanced technology.