(02/09/2003) Bekaert acquires 100 % of Contours

Kortrijk, 2 September 2003 Bekaert announces the purchase of Orrville Steel, Inc.'s 50% stake in Contours, Ltd. by Bekaert Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company of the Bekaert Group; N.V. Bekaert S.A. This transaction results from the execution of a put/call option, which was foreseen in the operating agreement between the two shareholders back in 1998. As a result, the Bekaert Group has now full ownership (100%) of Contours, Ltd. Contours, Ltd., based in Orrville, Ohio, is a technology based manufacturer of flat and shaped steel wires, hardened and tempered steel wires and steel wire components. Its product offering spans a broad spectrum of industries and manufacturers. Founded in 1970, the company has been a 50/50 joint venture between Bekaert Corporation and Orrville Steel, Inc. since 1998. The company's 200 employees shipped 34,000 tonnes of products representing USD 41 million in turnover for 2002. The Bekaert Group (Euronext Brussels : BEKB, www.bekaert.com) is the worldwide leader in advanced metal transformation and coating technologies, focused on high added value market segments. It is a global company, headquartered in Belgium, with a turnover of 2.8 billion euros and selling its products in more than 120 countries. Press contact : Willy Snaet - Corporate Vice President and Corporate Secretary (willy.snaet@bekaert.com) Investor Relations : Jacques Anckaert - Vice President Investor Relations (jacques.anckaert@bekaert.com) (C) Companynews