KORTRIJK, Belgium (Nov. 10) — Steel cord maker N.V. Bekaert S.A.'s sales in China have jumped 43 percent this year over 2005, according to the firm's third quarter earnings report.
At the same time, Bekaert noted weak demand for steel cord from the tire industry in both Europe and North America, while sales of steel cord to other regions slipped 5 percent.
Overall, the company said consolidated sales of advanced wire products for the nine months increased 4 percent to $1.6 billion. Combined sales, which include joint ventures and minority stakes, increased 6 percent, to $2.69 billion.