By decree of April 3, 2002, the President of the French Republic invested Dr. Gerhard Cromme, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ThyssenKrupp AG, as a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. The high distinction was conferred personally by the French President Jacques Chirac on November 18, 2002 at the Elysée Palace.

With this honor, France recognizes Dr. Cromme for the good relations he has maintained with the country for many years. In his work at companies in Germany and France he has always served to foster Franco-German relations, thereby helping to promote understanding between these two nations. Cromme currently holds seats on the supervisory boards of Suez and Thales.

He has cultivated close relations with France since his student years. After studying - partly in Paris - law and economics, he joined the French St. Gobain group in 1972, where he held senior posts in Germany and France before moving to Krupp in 1986.

Contact:

Klaus Pepperhoff
ThyssenKrupp AG
Telephone +49 (0) 211 824-36007
Fax +49 (0) 211 824-36041
E-mail: pepperhoff@tk.thyssenkrupp.com