Villacero, Mexico’s largest steel distributor, announced this week that it has signed an agreement with Finnish steelmaker Ruukki to distribute special steel products in Mexico, marking the 30th country in which the European firm has a presence.
Under the deal, Villacero will distribute Ruukki's Raex, a high-strength, abrasion-resistant steel; the ultra-high-strength structural steel Optim; and Ramor steel, which has ballistic properties in combination with hardness and strength.
Target sectors differ by product--steel with ultra-high strength has applications in the trucking industry, lifting equipment, material handling and recycling equipment, said Enrique Mustieles, Villacero’s deputy general director.
In the case of abrasion-resistant steels, target industries are manufacturing equipment for the mining, agriculture, sugar and concrete industries; and lastly the ballistic plate has uses mainly in vehicle armor protection, civil defense and security Access, and transportation of valuables.
With respect to investments by this agreement Mustieles explained that it initially involves investments in inventory and equipment, plus joint investments in marketing and advertising for both companies.
He added that these products will be distributed only within the Mexican market for now.