Bekaert NV — M&A Activity 2012

Mar 13, 2012

Press release Regulated information

13 March 2012

Press Katelijn Bohez T +32 56 23 05 71

Investor Relations Jacques Anckaert T +32 56 23 05 72

www.bekaert.com www.bekaert.mobi

Bekaert announces successful closing of the transaction leading to a majority shareholding in Chile, Peru and Canada

Bekaert and its Chilean partners announced today the successful closing of their shareholding transaction by which Bekaert becomes the principal shareholder (52%) in the partnership with operations in Chile, Peru and Canada. The deal follows all customary closing and approval processes. Simulated on the basis of the 2010 and 2011 financial statements, Bekaert's consolidated sales are expected to increase by approximately € 300 million on an annual basis.

Related press release:

22 December 2011: Bekaert further consolidates activities in Latin America

About Bekaert

Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) is a global technological and market leader in advanced solutions based on metal transformation and coatings, and the world's largest independent manufacturer of drawn steel wire products. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with headquarters in Belgium, employing 28 000 people worldwide. Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainable profitable growth in all its activities and generated combined sales of € 4.6 billion in 2011.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the impact of the transaction on the financial statements of Bekaert. Such statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Bekaert is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Bekaert disclaims any liability for statements made or published by third parties and does not undertake any obligation to correct inaccurate data, information, conclusions or opinions published by third parties in relation to this or any other press release issued by Bekaert.