Knauf Interfer sells molding business at Nuertingen site

German steel service center operator Knauf Interfer has sold the steel molding and roll-forming operations at its Nuertingen site to Meform Group, Interfer said Monday.

The company plans to focus on its aluminum and flat steel businesses, including processing.

“The sale is an important step as part of our strategy to concentrate Knauf Interfer more consequently on forward-looking markets driven by megatrends such as lightweight construction and mobility,” said Matthias Kessel-Knauf, board representative at Knauf Interfer.

The steel service center activities at the Nuertingen site will not be affected by the sale and Meform will operate the acquired equipment at the site.

Knauf Interfer is one of Germany’s largest mill-independent steel distributors and is currently restructuring its business.

The company sold its tube business to Hoberg & Driesch last year and closed its stockholding site for quarto plate, round bars and special steels in Dortmund in 2016, citing bad market conditions and an oversupply of steel distribution in the Ruhr region.

Laura Varriale, PLATTS