TMKS.L Regulatory News (TMKS)

6 Mar 2007 14:46

OAO TMK06 March 2007 March 6, 2007 TMK Acquires OAO RosNITI OAO TMK ("TMK" or "the Company"), one of the world's largest oil and gas pipeproducers, and the market leader of the Russian pipe industry, announces todaythat it has acquired a controlling stake in OAO RosNITI, Russian ResearchInstitute for the Tube and Pipe Industries, the only metallurgical scientificand technological research centre in Russia. Following the acquisition, TMK intends to create a central corporate scientificand technology research centre by integrating RosNITI with the Company'sexisting research functions. The centre will consist of the Russian ResearchInstitute for the Tube and Pipe Industries and the research divisions of theCompany's plants laboratories. The centre will be managed by the TMK's scientific and technical council, which is chaired by TMK's Vice President andChief Engineer, Leonid Marchenko. "As TMK implements its strategic investment program, it is totally committed tothe principle of aggressive scientific and technical development," saidKonstantin Semerikov, CEO of OAO TMK. "TMK pays particular attention to thedevelopment and implementation of leading edge technologies which not only meettoday's quality standards but are also designed for the future, keeping ahead ofthe demands of customers." OAO RosNITI (Russian Research Institute for the Tube and Pipe Industries),located in Chelyabinsk and founded in 1961, is Russia's only scientific researchinstitute specialising in pipe production technology. OAO TMK Founded in 2001, TMK (LSE: TMKS) is the largest pipe producer in Russia and oneof the three global market leaders. TMK GDRs and common shares are traded on theLondon Stock Exchange and Russian Trading System. In 2006 the total volume of pipes shipped reached over 3 million tonnes. TMKsupplies pipes to companies in more than 60 countries. TMK production facilities are located in Russia and Romania: • Volzhsky Pipe Plant • Seversky Pipe Plant • Taganrog Metallurgical Works • Sinarsky Pipe Plant • Orsk Engineering Plant • SC TMK-ARTROM SA • SC TMK-Resita SA Website of OAO RosNITI: www.rosniti.ru For further information please contact: TMK IR Department:Natalia DokuchaevaTel: +7 495 775 7660Email: ir@tmk-group.com Gavin Anderson & Company:Dick Millard/Michael TurnerTel: +44 207 554 1400Email: tmk@gavinanderson.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange