Consortium leader SMS Demag AG, Germany, has received an order from Novolipetsk Iron and Steel Corp. (NLMK) of Russia for the supply of three coilers for the hot rolling mill 2000 in the Lipetsk Works.

The scope of supply consists of three retractable coilers, including pinch roll units with integrated polishing equipment, side guides and carry-over tables. The consortium will also provide all utilities as well as the entire electrical and automation systems. The total order is valued at approximately EUR 26 million.

The fully hydraulic coilers are designed for high-strength steel grades up to a thickness of 20 mm and widths ranging from 900 to 1850 mm. With this investment, NLMK is targeting an expanded range of products, increased availability and higher coil quality.

Commissioning of the first coiler is scheduled for the summer of 2006. From the end of 2006, NLMK will produce high-quality coils on all three coilers.

SMS Demag AG forms part of the Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology Business Area of the SMS group. SMS GmbH is the holding for a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering relating to the processing of steel, non-ferrous metals and plastics. The group is divided into the Business Areas of Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology, Tube, Long Product and Forging Technology and Plastics Technology. In the year 2004 some 9,500 employees worldwide generated a turnover of about EUR 2.20 billion.