Stemcor, the world's largest independent steel trader, has acquired 100% of the share capital of Belgian steel plate stockholder Zimmer Staal bvba.

Established in 1999 and based in Lier near Antwerp, Zimmer Staal deals in heavy plate, primarily s235, s355 and shipbuilding grades. Processing services include shot blasting and painting. The company serves over 300 customers in Belgium, Holland and Northern France, with key applications in the fabrication, civil engineering, defense and shipbuilding industries.

Mr Luc Cools founder of Zimmer Staal, who will remain in charge, said that "My staff and I welcome this latest exciting development. With Stemcor’s backing, we look forward to embarking on the next chapter of our growth through renewed investment in the business."

Mr Robert van der Weck, Group Stockholding Director at Stemcor, said that "This acquisition supports Stemcor’s strategy of investment in downstream distribution, stockholding and service centre businesses. In addition to bringing a large end user customer base, Zimmer Staal will complement the Group’s other heavy plate activities and add purchasing power with key supply partners in Europe and the BRIC countries."