Frequently asked questions
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What is the profile of Bekaert?
Bekaert ( www.bekaert.com ) is a global technological leader in its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings, and a market leader in drawn wire products and applications. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with headquarters in Belgium, employing 27 000 people worldwide. Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainable profitable growth in all its activities and generated combined sales of € 4.5 billion in 2010.
In which sectors is Bekaert present?
Bekaert has a worldwide production platform in 30 countries
Bekaert employs about 27 000 people
| Bekaert worldwide |
27 000 |
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| Of which in consolidated companies |
22 000 |
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| Of which in joint ventures |
5 000 |
(mainly South America) |
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| Geographic |
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| Europe |
6 500 |
of which 2 700 in Belgium |
| North America |
1 950 |
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| Latin America |
7 300 |
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| Asia |
11 250 |
|
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How much does Bekaert invest in R&D?
Bekaert invests about 80 million euro in R&D.
There is an international R&D team in Belgium of 350 employees, a development team in China of 350 employees and a start up in India.
Bekaert is also outward oriented by corporate venturing, co-development with customers and through a network of universities.
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What is the dividend policy of Bekaert?
It is the policy of the Board of Directors to propose a profit appropriation to the General Meeting of Shareholders which, insofar as the profit permits, provides a stable or growing dividend while maintaining an adequate level of cash flow in the company for investment and self-financing in order to support growth. In practice, this means that the company seeks to maintain a pay-out ratio of around 40% of the result for the period attributable to the Group over the longer term.
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When will the dividend be payable?
Bekaert dividend is payable one week after the General Meeting of Shareholders.
Calendar 2011: 18 May
Calendar 2012: 16 May
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What is the ex-date of the dividend?
Calendar 2011: 13 May
Calendar 2012: 11 May
The Board of Directors consists of fourteen members, and eight of whom are nominated by the principal shareholders. The Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are never the same individual. The Chief Executive Officer is the only Board member with an executive function. All other members are non-executive directors. Four of the Directors are independent within the meaning of Belgian company law and the Belgian Corporate Governance Code.
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Which are the committees of the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors has established three advisory committees: the Audit and Finance Committee, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, and the Strategic Committee. Each committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Board, and has one independent Director among its members.
The Bekaert Group Executive has five members. It is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer and further consists of four members, who bear the title of Group Executive Vice President and who are responsible for the various businesses, finance and administration, and technology.
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Who is the external supervisor?
The company’s Statutory Auditor is Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren.
Shareholders wishing to convert from bearer to registered shares can contact the legal department by phone (+32 56 23 05 11) or contact the IR department through the contact form on the website.
better together
Situation
Request for close contact with and tailor-made advice from Bekaert.
Solution
Bekaert teams visit customers’ plants to check on how our product is performing.
Result
Close to our steel cord customers, literally and figuratively.