Effective October 1, 2004, ThyssenKrupp Steel AG subsidiary Berkenhoff GmbH in Kinzenbach-Heuchelheim has been sold to the private equity investor Granville Baird Capital Partners in Hamburg as part of a management buyout. Specializing in the production of nonferrous metal wire, Berkenhoff is no longer a core business of ThyssenKrupp Steel. This best-owner solution will give the company and its employees a new business perspective which ThyssenKrupp Steel with its clear focus on carbon and stainless flat steel could no longer guarantee. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. In fiscal year 2003/04 Berkenhoff had sales of 88 million euros and around 680 employees. Berkenhoff is active worldwide with five business units and is world market leader in the production of wire for electrical discharge machining.

Contact:

ThyssenKrupp Steel
Erwin Schneider
Tel.: +49 203 52 - 2 56 90
Fax: +49 203 52 - 2 57 07
e-mail: erwin.schneider@tks.thyssenkrupp.com

Dietmar Stamm
Tel.: +49 203 52 - 2 62 67
Fax: +49 203 52 - 2 57 07
e-mail: dietmar.stamm@tks.thyssenkrupp.com