Bekaert: Brett Simpson appointed CEO of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group 16 Jul 2018

Press release

Press - Investors Katelijn Bohez

T +32 56 76 66 10www.bekaert.com

16 July 2018

Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group Stephen Delvoye

T +32 53 41 19 00www.Bridon-Bekaert.com

Brett Simpson appointed CEO of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group

Mr Andrew Caffyn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group, is pleased to announce the Board's decision to appoint Mr Brett Simpson as the company's new Chief Executive Officer.

Brett Simpson started his career with Dow Chemical Company where he took on various manufacturing, technology, commercial and global business management functions of increasingly broader scope and responsibility. After 23 years with Dow Chemical, Brett Simpson joined LBC Tank Terminals Group in 2009 as Chief Executive Officer. He stepped down in 2014 to become the Chief Executive Officer of Low & Bonar plc. Brett Simpson's appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Fenner plc was announced in December 2017, before the company was acquired by Michelin.

Brett Simpson is Australian. He holds a chemical engineering degree from Monash University Australia and obtained an MBA at Columbia University, New York (US). He has lived and worked in Australia, Hong Kong, China, US, Switzerland, Belgium and UK.

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Bekaert and CEO ad interim of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group: 'I am delighted that Brett Simpson will join BBRG as CEO. Brett has very significant business experience and expertise in leading and improving international technology based businesses. As we announced on 26 April 2018, we want to accelerate the turnaround efforts at Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group to help the business achieve its true potential. I am convinced Brett Simpson is the right person to take the helm and lead the team that I enjoyed working with in the past months. Brett will join the company on 1 September 2018, upon which I will entirely focus on my role of CEO of Bekaert again.'

Related press release:26 April 2018 - Bekaert takes full ownership of Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group

About Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group

Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group(www.Bridon-Bekaert.com)is the world's premier supplier of mission-critical advanced cords and ropes. As a leading innovator, developer and producer of the best performing ropes and advanced cords globally, the Group provides superior value solutions to the oil & gas, mining, crane, elevator and other industrial sectors. Two of the most enduring wire and rope pioneers joined forces in 2016 to make this ambition real. Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group has a global manufacturing footprint and employs approximately 2 500 people worldwide.

About Bekaert

Bekaert(www.bekaert.com)is a world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies. We pursue to be the preferred supplier for our steel wire products and solutions by continuously delivering superior value to our customers worldwide. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with almost 30 000 employees worldwide, headquarters in Belgium and € 4.8 billion in combined revenue.

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.

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