◤ EDITORIAL
“Our main focus at the moment is on demonstrating humanity as well as solidarity and supporting relief efforts”
Stefan Messer (r.), third-generation shareholder and CEO of Messer SE & Co. KGaA, and Bernd Eulitz (l.), Deputy CEO of Messer SE & Co. KGaA
Messer has operations in nearly all European countries as well as in America and Asia. Gases are generally produced where they are needed therefore, Messer sees itself as a “Group with local business”. Along with Baltic partners, Messer has a share in an industrial gases joint venture in Tallinn. In addition to various production facilities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, this joint venture also operates two facilities in Ukraine – an air separation unit in Dnipro and a gas filling plant in Kharkiv. Both production facilities in Ukraine are currently not in operation due to the military conflict.
In the face of the war in Ukraine, my fellow board members and I are particularly concerned about our employees and their families. At the same time, we are confident that Messer’s diversification in terms of geography, currencies and product range will enable us to react flexibly to the economic changes brought about by the Ukraine conflict. However, in the face of the humanitarian tragedy that is taking place in Ukraine, our main focus at the moment is on demonstrating humanity as well as solidarity and supporting relief efforts.
Following the catastrophic floods in the Ahr valley, our solidarity with people that need our help is urgently called for once again. We have, therefore, appealed to our employees to join a worldwide solidarity campaign with the people of Ukraine and support the newly established ‘MesserAid Fund’ with donations. Through MesserAid we are also providing targeted support for outstanding private social commitment in this tragic situation.
Messer is using the internal relief fund to build a bridge of solidarity between its companies all over the world. Donations from employees, management, the Supervisory Board and the company itself are going towards supporting the aid initiatives launched by Messer companies in the European countries adjoining Ukraine as well as private volunteering by Messer employees. For me personally, our family-run company’s past experience shows that it has survived many a serious crisis mainly thanks to the loyalty and commitment of our employees. Therefore, I am happy about every additional donation to our MesserAid Fund to help people who are suffering as a result of the Ukraine war.
Yours
Stefan Messer
Third-generation shareholder and CEO