Oct. 30, 2006 — Ugine Stainless & Alloys announced that it has become part of the newly formed company Schmolz + Bickenbach AG and will now operate as Ugitech USA, responsible for all sales and distribution of Ugitech division products in North America.

The move is part of Schmolz + Bickenbach’s global expansion. With a tradition that dates back over a century, Schmolz + Bickenbach is today a leading international supplier of high quality specialty steel solutions.

As Ugine Stainless & Alloys, Ugitech USA enjoyed a successful track record as a specialized distributor of specialty steel long products with six U.S. stocking locations.

“Now the company is positioned to expand on other product and market opportunities, leveraging the vast sourcing possibilities that exist among affiliated Schmolz + Bickenbach AG companies,” says Ugitech USA Executive Vice President Mike Walsh. “For our industry affiliates and customers, this means we can expand our level of participation and reach throughout North America, access new capital, and become a predominant supplier of top quality specialty steel products.”

Schmolz + Bickenbach, Walsh explains, has created a new model for success in specialty steels by integrating production and distribution while investing in the success of the new global entity. "We are strategically positioned in a group that has a proven track record for delivering healthy business growth throughout their production, processing and distribution activities," Walsh says.

Integration of these core competencies, he adds, "should excite our customers and draw admiration from our competition."

Ugitech USA is the North American distribution arm of Ugitech, a Stainless and Nickel Alloys Long Products division of Schmolz + Bickenbach AG. Ugitech USA has been directly servicing the US market with six strategically located stocking locations since 1990. Ugitech USA offers immediate product availability, custom orders, dedicated inventory programs, and strong metallurgical and mechanical engineering support.

Ugitech is a company within Schmolz + Bickenbach stainless steel activity that is specialized in stainless steel and nickel alloy long products, (semis, bars, wire rod and drawn wires). Its main markets are the process, automotive, construction and food processing industries in which Ugitech has a leadership position. Ugitech is headquartered in Ugine (Savoie, France) and globally employs more than 2000, mainly in Europe (France, Germany, Italy ...) and in the USA.

Schmolz + Bickenbach Group is a growing producer, processor and distributor of specialty and stainless steels in long product form (bar, wire rod, and drawn wire) with high service to customers. Schmolz + Bickenbach has a global workforce of approximately 10,000 at more than 50 locations in Western and Eastern Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and Asia. Schmolz + Bickenbach Group operates a large sales network present in more than 25 countries with annual sales of more than 4 billion euros. The company is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany.