Effective April 1, 2003, Edelstahl Witten-Krefeld GmbH, Germany, introduced significant price increases - 80 euros/t for tool, high-speed and stainless steel long products and 50 euros/t for engineering steels. These increases are being implemented partly in the form of inflation surcharges and higher base prices and are in response to substantial rises in scrap, energy, labor and insurance costs since the turn of the year which steel producers were unable to absorb with the previous price levels.

Contact:
ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
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