RCS - Ferrexpo plc - Second Year Anniversary Letter

FerrexpoAnnouncement

23/02/2024 17:15

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RNS Number : 3342E  Ferrexpo PLC  23 February 2024

Ferrexpo plc

 

Lucio Genovese, Executive Chair

Second Year Anniversary Letter

 

Baar, Switzerland

23 February 2024

 

The second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a moment
to reflect on the remarkable resilience shown by the Ukrainian people in
defending their country.

Ukrainians have found the strength and resolve to stand firm and defend their
country. It is no exaggeration to say that the heroism of its people has given
Ukraine a new status in the world.

Over the past two years, I have been constantly amazed by the altruistic
attitude of Ferrexpo's workforce and communities. Together, we continue to
mourn the 35 company employees who have lost their lives. At the same time, we
remember those who have suffered injuries and trauma from the war. Supporting
their recovery is a high priority for us.

As a company, Ferrexpo has played its part in supporting its stakeholders. We
have shown that we are a strong business capable of withstanding exceptional
challenges.  We have learned to be flexible and to adapt to the changing
dynamics of war.

As the war enters its third year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to
protect our workforce and communities. This commitment is especially the case
for our brave colleagues that are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and
veterans that have returned. 641 of our employees are serving in the armed
forces. We continue to support them with supplies of safety equipment and
essential items and hold jobs open for them when they return. So far 81
colleagues have been demobilised, and 52 of them have returned to work. Last
year we expanded our support for veterans to include physical rehabilitation
and psychological support. Veterans unable to return to their previous
functions due to factors such as noise and vibration have the opportunity to
train and qualify for other roles in the business.

Like other businesses in Ukraine, the structure of our workforce and skills
base is changing because of the war. Factors such as people joining and
leaving the armed forces, migration in and out of the Poltava region and
changes in the age profile of the workforce and gender balance together
require us to find new ways to recruit and train our people. At our Ferrexpo
Technical Expertise Centre, we have established several new initiatives to
allow our employees to learn new skills quickly.

Our community needs during the war are changing, too. In Horishni Plavni, our
home town, the immediate urgency to house and feed people fleeing the east of
the country has reduced.  Ferrexpo now employs 102 people who re-located to
the region after the start of the full-scale invasion. We are bolstering
community wellbeing through our support for cultural and social programmes as
well as health, education and recreational facilities. We recognise that
mental health is an increasingly important issue, and that we and others will
need to focus more resources in this area.

I am proud that we as a company have learned to operate through a war and that
we continue to provide an important economic contribution to Ukraine.

2024 has started well, with improvements in production, demand and access to
customers in traditional markets.  As we enter the third year of war, we are
on a strong footing, testament to the determined Ukrainian spirit of our
people.

Slava Ukraini

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