NLMK Group, an international steelmaking company with operations in Russia, Europe and the USA, is pleased to announce the opening of NLMK Turkey, its sales office in Turkey.

As part of Strategy 2017, NLMK Group is focusing its sales in key markets, including Turkey, that accounts for up to 20% of the Group’s export. The opening of NLMK Turkey will enable NLMK to improve the quality of customer service and develop its direct sales.

Mr. Cengiz Argat has been representing the interests of NLMK Group in Turkey for the last 20 years. Mr. Argat has made a significant contribution to developing business in this country.

Mr. Burak Soydan has been appointed head of NLMK Turkey. Mr. Soydan has extensive experience in the distribution and marketing of steel products in Turkey. The hand-over of customer service to the new company will be fully completed by the end of 2017.

Ilya Gushchin, NLMK Vice President, Sales, said:

“Direct sales to Turkey are the most developed of all NLMK Group export destinations, and we sell products to over 70 countries. Thanks to Mr. Argat’s many years of dedicated work, NLMK Group was able to establish mutually beneficial relations with dozens of companies in the country’s most competitive economic sectors. We are pleased that we were able to drive the development of our customers in Turkey, to support their growth and expansion to European markets. NLMK will do everything in its power to make sure that the change in leadership in our sales team in the Turkish market delivers a further growth in sales, ensuring our customers’ satisfaction and success.”

Burak Soydan’s background

Burak Soydan graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Mechanical Engineering Department, in 1994. Mr. Soydan holds a Master’s in Finance from Istanbul University. He began his career at Garanti Bank, the largest bank in Turkey. He’s worked in marketing for such companies as Pirelli Tyre (petrochemical), and Uzel Makine, Otokar (automotive). He’s been holding senior management positions in marketing and distribution in the steel sector since 2010.

About NLMK Group

NLMK Group is the largest steelmaker in Russia and one of the most efficient in the world.

NLMK Group’s high-quality steel products are used in various industries, from construction and machine building to the manufacturing of power-generation equipment and offshore windmills.

NLMK operates production facilities in Russia, Europe and the United States. The Company’s steel production capacity exceeds 17 million tonnes per year.

NLMK has the most competitive cash cost among global manufacturers and one of the highest profitability levels in the industry. In H1 2017, the Company generated $4.7 billion in revenue and $1.22 billion in EBITDA. As of 30 June 2017, Net debt/EBITDA stood at 0.4х. The company has an investment grade credit rating from S&P and Fitch.

NLMK’s ordinary shares with a 16% free-float are traded on the Moscow Stock Exchange (ticker "NLMK") and its global depositary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange (ticker "NLMK:LI"). For more details on NLMK shareholder capital, please follow the link.

NLMK Group received the Steel Industry Leadership Award at the prestigious 2016 Platts Global Metals Awards held by S&P Global Platts, a leading international industry analytical periodical.