International presence further expanded

ThyssenKrupp Stahl subsidiary ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks GmbH is further expanding its international activities: After the award of the business license, ThyssenKrupp Zhong-Ren Tailored Blanks Ltd. in Wuhan is expected to be established before the end of April 2002 as the first tailored blanks production company in China.

ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks GmbH holds a 51% controlling share in the new company. The Chinese partner, a subsidiary of the privately owned building, trading and energy group Guangdong Zhongren, holds 49% of the capital. The company is expected to supply the Chinese automobile industry and its suppliers with locally produced laser-welded blanks as from June 2002. The welding plant will initially go into operation with one laser-welding unit; up to two more automatic lines will follow later.

ThyssenKrupp operates four tailored blank plants in Germany and two others in Italy and Mexico. In addition there are joint ventures in the USA, Brazil and Spain, making ThyssenKrupp world market and technology leader in tailored blanks with linear and non-linear welds as well as tailored tubes. According to current forecasts, demand for tailored blanks is set to rise sharply over the next few years, especially in China: Vehicle production in China is expected to increase from the present level of 1.8 to 2.4 million units in 2005. The number of tailored blanks used to produce these vehicles is set to rise from 2.2 to 3.3 million in the same period.

For more information:
ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG
Dietmar Stamm, Public Relations
Tel: +49 (0)203-52-2 62 67
Fax: +49 (0)203-52-2 57 07
E-mail: stamm@tks.thyssenkrupp.com