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HISTORY

BRIEF HISTORY OF KME

KME’s history dates back to 1873 – since then KME has consolidated European copper manufacturing assets under several different legal entities.
In 2006, KME acquired a majority participation in China and in 2014 it further expanded in the country via a JV; in 2017 KME expanded into the US.

1873
Hermann Kämper gives up his position as technical and commercial director of an important wire factory to become an entrepreneur. On July 1, he founded the wire and pin factory Witte und Kämper together with the brothers Carl and Hermann Witte founded the wire and pin factory Witte und Kämper, where iron wire was drawn and also processed into pins.
1890
On the initiative of Hermann Witte, the Osnabrück Copper and Wire Works (OKD) is converted into a stock corporation with a share capital of RM 1.2 million.
1902
The Orlando Family assumed leadership of SMI (Società Metallurgica Italiana). SMI was established in 1886 and 1902 had been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange from 1897
1990
SMI purchased 76.9% of the German leading producer of copper and copper alloys semi-finished products KM -Kabelmetal AG and became the GIM-SMI Group
1995
GIM-SMI Group founded KM Europa Metal AG (KME). KME concentrated management of the group’s European activities in one company, which was located in Germany and controlled 100% of the Group’s industrial activities in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. In the same year KME and the Finnish group Outokumpu created a 50/50 joint-venture in LOCSA (Laminados Oviedo Cordoba S.A.) based in Oviedo, Spain for the production of rolled products
1999
SMI purchased 98.17% of KME’s shares through a voluntary public tender offer (the remaining minorities were squeezed out in 2002)
2005
Intek S.p.A. became the largest shareholder
2006
SMI changed its name to KME Group SpA and increased its participation in DD Heavy Machinery to 70%
2012
KME Group S.p.A. incorporated IntekS.p.A and changed its name to IntekGroup S.p.A.
2014
The UK plumbing tubes business was sold to Mueller and a JV with Golden Dragon and Chogquing Wanzhou Economy Technology Development Co., Ltd. (the “KMD (HK) JV”)
2015
The production of the tubes of Onsabrück plant was transfered to Menden and the plant and overhead structure was optimized. Additionally, KME performed a top management and corporate functions reduction across the Group
2016
KME sold 49% of its share in KME France S.A.S. (now, TrefimetauxS.a.S.) to the European Copper Tubes Limited. The sale included part of the operations in plants in Givet and Niederbruck (France) and in Serravalle Scrivia (Italy). KME now operates these plants through the subsidiary Tréfimétaux S.A.S.as a joint venture with the European Copper Tubes Limited
2017
Expansion into US market via an acquisition of a production facility servicing US Navy program
2018
Inaugural €300m Senior Secured Notes issuance
2019
MKM acquisition; Brass and Tubes (Germany and Spain) sale; purchase of 49% of Trefimetaux SaS
Transformation of KME AG in KME SE
2020
At the Osnabrück site, KME is divided into two companies: KME Germany GmbH (copper products) and KME Special Products GmbH (special products).
2021
KME Special Products GmbH - Change of the company structure: KME Special Products GmbH is now called KME Special Products GmbH & Co. KG, sole shareholder remains KME SE.
Dec. 2021:
INTEK announces the signing of the definitive agreement between its controlled companies KME SE ("KME") and KME Special Products GmbH & Co. KG (together "KME Group") and "Paragon" on the transfer of of control over the special products business of the KME Group. The special products business will be transferred to a new company ("Newco"). ("Newco"), which will be owned 55% by Paragon and 45% by the KME Group. 45% by the KME Group.
2022
Implementation of the transaction.
1.1.2022: New company "KME Special Products & Solutions GmbH".
Feb. 1, 2022: The new company "KME Special Products & Solutions GmbH", founded at the beginning of January 2022, operates with immediate effect under a new shareholder structure (45% KME / 55% Paragon).
29.07.2022: KME SE has executed the agreement signed with Aurubis AG after approval by the relevant merger control authorities in May 2022, thus completing the purchase of part of Aurubis' Flat Rolled Products ("FRP") business.