Persbericht Kortrijk (België), 3 April 2006		Press contacts Françoise Vanthemsche Tel. +32 56 23 05 71 Investor Relations Jacques Anckaert Tel. +32 56 23 05 72
Bekaert acquires Cold Drawn Products Ltd.
Bekaert reached an agreement to acquire Cold Drawn Products Ltd. for an enterprise value of £12 million (€ 17.4 million). In Western-Europe, Cold Drawn Products Ltd. is a major supplier of specialised shaped wires designed for offshore applications, machinery construction and the automobile industry. The company has 170 employees spread across two plants near to Bradford in the United Kingdom and realises annual sales of £19 million (€ 28 million).   The company mainly produces specialised shaped wires in high carbon steel for reinforcing flexible pipes, which are used for offshore oil extraction. These high-technological wires are also used for the production of all sorts of specific engine and machine components.   Bekaert has large experience in the production of specialised shaped wires in its production facilities for advanced wire products in Belgium, Brazil, and the United States. Bekaert has already carried out several large projects and is a leading supplier for applications in the offshore industry. Bekaert is also a major producer of a wide variety of steel wire and steel cord products or the automobile industry, since a passenger car contains around 30 kg of Bekaert products.   With this acquisition, Bekaert wants to further strengthen its worldwide market leadership in these high-technological niche products.   Profile Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) seeks sustainable profitable growth based on its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings. Bekaert aims to consolidate its position as both market and technological leader around the world. With its broad range of high technological products, systems and services, Bekaert offers high added value for its customers. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is an European based company, headquartered in Belgium, employing 17 000 people. Bekaert, present in 120 countries, generates sales of € 3 billion.