Tracing Modern Chinese Railway Rails: Thyssen Company Rails

Speculated initial railway line laid: Tongpu Railway Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: February 1934 Speculated initial railway line laid: Tongpu Railway Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: February 1935 Rail weight: 31.16 kg/m Customer: Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway (CKR) Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: March 1935 Rail weight: 31.16 kg/m Customer: Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway (CKR) Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: July 1936 Rail weight: 31.16 kg/m Customer: Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway (CKR) Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: August 1936 Rail weight: 31.16 kg/m Customer: Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway (CKR) Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production date: May 1936 Rail weight: 16 kg/m (measured) Speculated initial railway line laid: Tongpu Railway Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (Th) Production date: May 1936 Rail weight: 16 kg/m (measured) Customer: Tongpu Railway (TUNG-PU) Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production year: 1938 Manufacturer: Thyssen Company (THYSSEN) Production year: 1939 III. Company Profile In 1871, August Thyssen founded the Thyssen Group in the Ruhr region of Germany, with core businesses in steel and hoop iron production—marking the beginning of its steel operations. In 1890, the company established its own integrated coal-mining, ironmaking, and steel-rolling enterprise in Duisburg, achieving a closed-loop industrial chain from raw materials to finished products and significantly boosting steel production capacity. Prior to World War I, it had grown into one of Europe’s leading mining and metallurgical conglomerates, with operations spanning coal mines, iron ore mines, steel mills, and transportation—establishing the so-called “Thyssen Steel King” industrial structure. During the Weimar Republic era following WWI, the company continued expanding production scale and capital accumulation, steadily broadening its steel business. In 1926, upon August Thyssen’s death, his son Fritz Thyssen inherited the business and consolidated acquired enterprises to form Vereinigte Stahlwerke AG (United Steelworks), dominating Germany’s metallurgical industry and earning the title “King of the Ruhr.” On the eve of WWII, Vereinigte Stahlwerke controlled 25% of Germany’s coal output, 38% of pig iron production, and 40% of steel output—highlighting its monopolistic position. After WWII, the company underwent restructuring, refocusing on its core steel business and gradually restoring production capacity. In 1953, based on Vereinigte Stahlwerke AG, Thyssen Metall AG was reorganized and incorporated, absorbing multiple steel enterprises and further expanding its operations.

ThyssenKrupp Launches Group Divestment Plan

ThyssenKrupp Launches Group Divestment Plan (ThyssenKrupp Approves Spin-off of Materials Services Business) (ThyssenKrupp Materials Services Business to Be Renamed) The divestiture plan had previously stalled, but ThyssenKrupp is now adjusting its strategic direction. In May this year, after acquisition negotiations with Indian rival Jindal Steel & Power collapsed, the independent listing of ThyssenKrupp’s steel subsidiary—ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe (TKSE)—has re-entered focus. According to reports, Miguel López, CEO of ThyssenKrupp, is currently evaluating the feasibility of spinning off the steel business via an independent listing to achieve autonomous development. The spin-off mechanism is relatively straightforward: existing ThyssenKrupp shareholders would receive additional shares in the steel subsidiary, directly credited to their accounts. Notably, ThyssenKrupp appears prepared to relinquish control over its steel business. Unlike the ongoing spin-off of its defense subsidiary TKMS and the independence process for its trading subsidiary TK Accelis, López’s plan for TKSE is more radical—the company may even forego majority ownership of the steel business. While ThyssenKrupp’s spokesperson declined to disclose further details about the specific plan, they confirmed the group’s overarching strategic objective: enabling each business segment to operate independently remains a clearly defined goal. Although the board has not yet made a final decision, the future trajectory is already clear: ThyssenKrupp is progressively dismantling its corporate structure, transforming its various business units into more autonomous corporate entities. From a Century-Old Industrial Conglomerate to Multiple Independent Enterprises ThyssenKrupp was once a symbol of German industrial might, with operations spanning steel, elevators, automotive components, defense, and materials trading. However, in recent years, pressured by global steel overcapacity, rising energy costs, and industrial transformation, the company has been actively pursuing business restructuring. The potential independent listing of TKSE signifies ThyssenKrupp’s further advancement of its “divestment strategy.” Following the spin-offs of defense subsidiary TKMS and trading subsidiary TK Accelis, the steel business may likewise become an independent company.

Thyssenkrupp's largest shareholder sees 'window of opportunity' for steel spin-off

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Ursula Gather of the Krupp Foundation sees a favorable window to spin off Thyssenkrupp's steel division amidst restructuring deals and EU tariff protections. CEO Miguel Lopez plans to transform the conglomerate into a financial holding company after recent divestments.

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Thyssenkrupp's largest shareholder sees 'window of opportunity' for steel spin-off

Thyssenkrupp's largest shareholder sees 'window of opportunity' for steel spin-off

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