Saarstahl Ascoval announces new leadership team to enhance integration

aarstahl Ascoval, a subsidiary of the Saarstahl Group, has announced changes to its executive leadership as part of its continued integration into the wider group and its strategic focus on low-carbon steel production.

Effective April, Dr. Dennis Stindt will take over as President of Saarstahl Ascoval, succeeding Dr. Nadine Artelt. Dr. Artelt will continue to play a leading role within the group, now serving as Sales Director for Saarstahl AG in addition to her responsibilities at Saarstahl Rail.

The new leadership team at Saarstahl Ascoval consists of Dr. Stindt as President, Gijs Picard as Director of Finance and Administration, and Ulrich Reinstädtler as Plant Manager. Together, the team will lead the French electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill through its next phase of development, with a clear focus on sustainable steel production and strategic alignment with the group’s decarbonization objectives.

“Saarstahl Ascoval plays a central role in our efforts to produce low-CO₂ steel,” said Jonathan Weber, Chief Transformation Officer at Saarstahl. “We thank Nadine Artelt for her dedicated leadership and are confident that the new management team will continue to advance the site’s strategic development.”

Dr. Stindt brings extensive experience in the steel industry, with previous leadership roles in transformation, finance, and operational excellence. He has worked within the SHS Group—parent company of Saarstahl—and has contributed to the development of steel production sites in both Germany and France, including a key role in the transformation of a French rolling mill. Most recently, he led the Business Excellence division at SHS.

“We have a clear vision for the future of the Saint-Saulve site,” said Dr. Stindt. “Saarstahl Ascoval already produces low-CO₂ steel, and we intend to build on this strong foundation in our new leadership team.”

Plant Manager Ulrich Reinstädtler joined Saarstahl Ascoval in January 2025. A mechanical and production engineering expert, he previously held senior roles in steelmaking operations at Saarstahl’s Völklingen site. Financial leadership is provided by Gijs Picard, who joined the company in 2023 after holding senior finance and controlling positions within international firms and the SHS Group.

Reflecting on her tenure, outgoing President Dr. Artelt commented: “In recent years, we have established Saarstahl Ascoval as a key production site for low-carbon steel, particularly for transport infrastructure. Steel from our Saint-Saulve plant is now used in rail networks across Europe. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and confident that the new team will continue this positive trajectory.”

Source: Saarstahl, Photo: Fotolia