Have a lovely summer!

Summer has finally arrived and the trees have burst into leaf once again. After a long and at times dark winter, this is an unbeatable time of year, especially for those of us who enjoy being out in the countryside. On the farm, the firewood is chopped and stacked, the grass is growing like mad and new pastures have been fenced in for our Highland Cattle. Now it remains to be seen whether the cows appreciate their new grazing grounds as much as I do.
Summer also provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the year so far. There has been some uncertainty during the spring, but also a hope that several of these issues may diminish going forward. Within the steel industry, tariffs, import quotas and a continued uncertain market have affected conditions, while geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding vital trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to a more cautious external environment with price increases that apparently seem set to continue.
Despite a challenging market, we at GA have maintained the same volume rate as the previous year. At the same time, we can state that profitability remains entirely satisfactory. We see that our business concept stands strong and that our customers continue to value what we offer. Particularly pleasing is the positive development within green steel. Thanks to a couple of major customers who have joined us during the year and chosen to invest in sustainable steel solutions together with us, we now see that business in this area is increasing in both scope and pace.
For my part, I am looking forward to a few weeks of holiday at the farm. A trip to Norrland and Lofoten is also planned, which will be exceptionally enjoyable. Hopefully, it will provide both recovery and inspiration for the autumn. And just like when I stayed up watching the '94 World Cup, I am hoping for a summer that offers a little extra excitement and fond memories.
Finally, I would like to extend a big thank you to our customers, suppliers and employees for a strong first half of the year and good cooperation.
I wish you all a really lovely Midsummer and a relaxing holiday!