More than just an efficiency program

Since October 2025, the 48-year-old has been active at the newly established Operational Excellence (OE) department. The current team of five perceives itself as "internal management consultancy plus", as Ellebrecht puts it. His claim – as opposed to external consulting teams: Not just analyzing challenges, proposing theoretical solutions and then moving on to the next customer, but also supporting colleagues in implementing the measures developed after the conception phase has been concluded. The members of the small, experienced OE team draw on decades of in-depth expertise gained in-house and outside of Salzgitter AG – whether in customer contact, production, energy or project management. They always come into play when issues impact on several areas and solutions can be scaled across departments. 

In formal terms, the new department is anchored directly in the management of Salzgitter Flachstahl as a staff department, while also being integrated into the group-wide improvement architecture – for example in the P28 results improvement program. "Operational excellence is far more than a temporary performance program," explains Ellebrecht. “The new team acts as a cross-divisional enabler. Building on existing structures and helping to clarify priorities and picking up speed in order to optimize processes in the interests of our customers, the team is making our company fit for the future. Ultimately, our sustainable improvements are geared to getting the most out of our processes, workflows and structures.”