The crisis in the steel markets is also felt in the field of special steels in Italy, as reported by local Italian media. Accordingly, Udine-based Italian special steel producer Acciaierie Bertoli Safau (ABS), a subsidiary of Italian plantmaker Danieli and also a leading European producer in the given segment, has entered into negotiations with trade unions to achieve greater labor flexibility which would allow the company to adapt more quickly to market fluctuations.
As stated by ABS CEO Alessandro Trivillin in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Messaggero Veneto, "We must face a general decline in the market, which appeared just recently in Italy, but on a greater scale in Europe and the rest of the world. In this context, the demand level changes every 10 days and we have very little visibility. Hence, the need to slow down production when necessary." Mr. Trivillin went on to state, "For the next few weeks production operations at our plant are guaranteed, but there is no visibility in the medium term."