ThyssenKrupp Stahl Bauelemente GmbH is to close its Dinslaken plant step by step in the coming months. Over the past three months a structural analysis has been carried out into the company`s plants in Eichen, Dinslaken, Hof and Leipzig. It reached the conclusion that one plant for sandwich and trapezoidal products could be closed without restricting market supply. The aim of the measures is for the building construction products business to deliver an appropriate contribution to Group earnings.

Over the next few months, the Dinslaken plant`s production will be transferred step by step to Eichen, Hof and Leipzig. At the same time, efficiency enhancement programs will be implemented at these sites. Approximately 200 jobs will be affected by the overall program, more than half of them at the Dinslaken site. The company will try to effect the job cuts in a socially compatible way.

The construction elements group is taking this action in response to the continuing structural crisis in the construction industry. The simplification of the site structure will produce sustainable process improvements for the market. The complete product range, augmented by the innovations unveiled at the Munich construction fair last week, will continue to be available at competitive prices to customers in Germany and abroad.

The company`s sales activities are being expanded. Last year the group strengthened its market position significantly through acquisitions in the Benelux countries. With its building construction and cold room products as well as production sites in Belgium, Germany, France and Austria, the ThyssenKrupp Stahl subsidiary is among the market leaders in Europe. In fiscal 2001/2002 the company had 1,178 employees and sales of 365 million euros.

Contact:
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