Zlomrex owned by Przemyslaw Sztuczkowski, Poland’s biggest steel distributor, may acquire Alchemia steel plant from Roman Karkosik. According to “PB” sources, the two businessmen are negotiating a merger. Unofficial sources say that legal and economic teams have already been founded and now they are analyzing different scenarios of the cooperation. A working meeting had been planned for November 25th but it was shifted till early December. People familiar with Roman Karkosik confirm the news.
“No comment”, Roman Karkosik said.
“There are no such talks. Even if there were such talks, we would keep them secret”, Przemyslaw Sztuczkowski added.
Karkosik and Sztuczkowski have known each other and cooperated for many years. Zlomrex is one of three biggest suppliers of scrap metals to Alchemia. The two entrepreneurs are rivals sometimes. They both wanted to buy Huta Batory steel plan. Roman Karkosik won the tender. Zlomrex on the other hand acquired Huta Stali Jakosciowych I Walcownia Blach from Stalowa Wola group. Roman Karkosik was lucky enough to buy Huta Bankowa on the Rother hand.
If the two parties reach agreement, this would be Poland’s biggest merger in the steel industry. Przemyslaw Sztuczkowski may conduct the transaction via Amber, its acquisition business, because Zlomrex is heavily indebted.
“There are plants in Alchemia group which suit Zlomrex business, including Huta Bankowa and Huta Bator. Zlomrex on the other hand has distribution network which Alchemia lacks”, a representative of the steel sector commented.
Roman Karkosik said several months ago that he wanted to sell his stake of Alchemia (58.7 percent) evaluated at PLN 850m.