The management of Bekaert has announced the decision to cease all Dramix® steel fiber manufacturing operations in Orotina, Costa Rica, and to close the respective entity, Bekaert Costa Rica SA.
The management has informed the employees about the decision and has expressed its intention to offer guidance and support to mitigate the social impact. Among other initiatives, Bekaert plans to offer employment transfer for 20 part-time employees to the company's neighboring steel wire plant, BIA Alambres Costa Rica SA.
The high cost base of the entity and increased competitive price pressure in the construction markets served in Latin America, have affected the plant's financial performance to a level that is no longer sustainable. The measures implemented in recent years to make the entity profitable have not been successful.
The management regrets to implement this measure, but sees no other option to safeguard its position in the respective Latin American steel fiber markets. The company will continue to serve customers in the region with Dramix® steel fibers produced in other Bekaert entities in the world.