Klockner & Co SE holds close to 100 percent of the shares in Klockner Metalsnab

Having already raised its stake in Klockner Metalsnab above 77 percent at the start of the year, Klockner & Co has acquired additional shares and now holds 99.9 percent of the shares in the Bulgarian steel and metal distributor Klockner Metalsnab AD.

The nearly full takeover of Sofia-based Klockner Metalsnab allows Klockner & Co to continue to strengthen its market position in Eastern Europe.

"This move represents an important step in our efforts to advance our activities in Eastern Europe.", notes Dr. Thomas Ludwig, Chairman of the Management Board of Klockner & Co SE.

The steel and metal distributor Klockner Metalsnab generated sales of about 37 million euro with about 260 employees in 2007.

The company's key product groups include long products, flat steel and tubes.

The company has its headquarters in Sofia; seven distribution centers across Bulgaria cover the country's key industrial locations. The construction industry and the mechanical and plant engineering sector are the company's main customers.