RHI Takes over Stopinc

RHI AG/AT has taken over 100 % of Stopinc AG/CH. Stopinc produces and sells refractory special products for the usage in the iron and steel industry. Previously RHI held a 50 % stake in the Swiss company. With this takeover, RHI strengthens the flow control segment, which covers the regulated flow of liquid steel and nonferrous metals in the production process. Stopinc is one of the world market leaders in this segment with its Interstop brand and focuses on special products. RHI will keep the brand and will continue to expand its activities, especially in Asia, and to invest in research. Stopinc will be maintained as an independent company with production sites and sales offices in the USA and China as well as service offices in Brazil, India and Russia. The company’s 90 employees generated revenues of EUR 29,4 million in the financial year 2010. In the course of taking over Didier-Werke AG/DE in 1996, RHI acquired a 50 % stake in Stopinc. RHI AG is the world market and technology leader in high-grade ceramic refractory materials. A global player with Austrian roots, RHI employs roughly 8000 people worldwide at 32 production sites in Europe, North and South America, South Africa and China, and is represented by more than 70 sales offices on four continents. In the first three quarters of 2011, RHI recorded revenues of EUR 1280,8 million. (Q1-Q3 2011: EUR 1122 million, financial year 2010: EUR 1522,9 million; 1/2012).