Foundation
At the beginning of HKM there was a world-wide problem in the steel industry: After constant growth in steel production until the middle of the 70's steel making declined in Europe. The results were dramatic economic difficulties with the obligation to reduce capacity and the closure of businesses.
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Also the locations Rheinhausen/Krupp steel and Huckingen/Mannesmannroehren works were not spared. Both were efficient integrated iron and steel works, but had in each case in the 80's a capacity of four million tons per year - an activity of 50 per cent capacity. Too little to survive.
Unification
The search for partners began. At the end of 1987 Krupp and Mannesmann decided on the unification of the two Duisburg locations in one location at the iron and steel works in Huckingen. A carefully prepared decision. Decisive for Huckingen above all was the more favourable energy industry with a modern coking plant as well as the existing round caster plants in the steel works.
The HKM management at that time became clear:
" If two good addresses in steel making unite their know-how , a still better new address must simply arise from them. "
Targets
The target was the production of four million tons per year, with 4,300 employees. 150 million Euros of investments supported the unification. 
© HKM Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann 
