Reacting flexibly to changing customer needs as well as seeking and proposing innovative solutions are the constant aims of our colleagues in USSE Research and Development, led by General Manager Viera Kohúteková and USSK Vice President Engineering and Innovation David E. Hathaway. Last year‘s investment worth 2.14 million euros into research infrastructure was used for modernizing the laboratories and pilot lines for researching and developing new materials and surface coatings, mainly for the automobile and electrotechnical industries. The new equipment is able to produce small amounts of new steel grades while better simulating real industrial production. This procedure was applied in the R&D for two new high-strength galvanized steels, namely grade type DP780HF (HF-High Formability) with strength rating 800MPa and improved plasticity, and grade type DP980, the strongest grade produced at USSK with strength rating 1000MPa. In the first phase of development, the research team determined the chemical composition and production technology for both grades. Once the right mechanical proerties were achieved, the development moved on through the phases of operational trials, experimental production and material testing. The sheet produced from the very first melt was itself successfully processed into complex pressings by our customers. These new high-strength grades are intended above all for specific internal safety components in automobiles. A standard integral aspect of R&D work is supporting existing customer solutions and readiness to work together with potential customers in designing new models of automobiles.