Salzgitter strengthens Technology Division

Acquisition of SIG-Beverages rounds off the Klöckner-/KHS-Portfolio by PET technology

With the acquisition of SIG-Beverages and the associated integration of PET blow-molding technology, Salzgitter AG is strengthening the new Technology Division in a decisive area. The SIG Group, based in Neuhausen/Rheinfall, Switzerland, is the selling party.

On the occasion of acquiring Klöckner-Werke AG and the associated entry into the engineering and machine building area for beverage filling and packaging technologies, Salzgitter had already stated that “Salzgitter AG will be actively shaping and designing the strategic and operational further development of Klöckner-Werke.“ The takeover of SIG-Beverages represents an initial, and highly relevant step in this context. In future, it will enable KHS, a Klöckner-Werke subsidiary, to operate as a singe source provider, offering complete facilities and systems to the dynamic plastic bottle technology growth market.

SIG-Beverages employs a workforce of some 480 members of staff, mostly active in Germany. In 2007, the company generated sales in the region of EUR 150 million. The key SIG-Beverages associated companies are SIG Corpoplast GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg and SIG Asbofill GmbH in Neuss.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Salzgitter AG

With around EUR 10 billion in external sales, an output of over 7 million tons of crude steel and a workforce of some 24,000 employees, Salzgitter AG is one of Europe’s leading steel and technology corporations.

In the area of high-quality sections and flat rolled products, Salzgitter AG is positioned among the top 5 in Europe. In medium line pipes and precision tubes it is the number one in Europe, and ranks as the world market leader in large-diameter pipes. In 2007 Salzgitter AG made the decision to become engaged in other industrial segments outside of the Group’s core activities to date. Through its participation in Klöckner-Werke AG and KHS AG, Salzgitter AG now ranks as one of the leading providers in the field of filling and packaging technology.