Our History
Our journey to becoming a leading global steel trader.
It all started with Promatex
1974
Promatex is established in Antwerp.
1989
Three experienced steel traders, Mr Pannemans, Mr Alexander and Mr Hoffmann, take over Promatex. Driven by a strong vision and backed by extensive steel trading experience, the three gentlemen set their sights on global expansion. They start exporting steel from Western and Eastern Europe to the African continent and gradually continue to expand the company’s activities by focusing on new source markets and sales destinations.
Global Expansion
1994
Promatex creates FERROMEX in order to expand its export operations beyond Africa. Ferromex is dedicated to developing sales in South East Asia (particularly India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines). A local office is opened in Mumbai, India to bring about new sourcing opportunities.
1999
Operations commence in CIS countries with the inauguration of the Ukraine office: a crucial step in steel sourcing.
2002
COMPANSID joins the Group, allowing the company to engage in sourcing and sales activities in South America. Consolidation of Promatex, Ferromex and Compansid within the PROMAFERCOM group.
2004
The group secures substantial involvement in STEEL-LINK B.V., a Dutch steel trading house dedicated to exporting domestic materials to the overseas market. This solidifies the group's global market position.
2005
Ferromex Middle East is established in Dubai to develop sales in the Middle East.
2005
Promatex launches operations in China with a local office in both Shanghai and Hong Kong. After decades of being reserved to import, 2005 is the year China first engages in steel export activities. Promatex is one of the first companies to benefit from this unique opportunity.
Steelforce: a new era
2006
Promafercom is rebranded as STEELFORCE. Steelforce stands for one vision, one approach and one goal: steel trading worldwide. As a global player, Steelforce establishes clear geographical departments to consolidate an organizational structure that is transparent and uniform.
2008
Steelforce opens a new office in Turkey to develop steel export from this market.
2010
Expono, a.s. is added to the group, leading to further trading activities in Central Europe, including distribution and steel processing.
2011
The group incorporates PT Steelforce Indonesia in Jakarta, ensuring further growth through local trading and steel distribution in six locations in Indonesia.
2014
Steelforce takes a stake in SEAL of QUALITY, a niche trader specializing in tinplate with comprehensive knowledge of the metal packaging industry. This company enhances our packaging know-how and structures our ETP/TFS activities worldwide.
2016
Steelforce expands to South Korea to enhance our sourcing portfolio in the region with close ties to local mills.
2017
Participation in the capital of EMS (Euro Metal Service).
2017
Japanese trader Marubeni-Itochu Steel becomes involved with Steelforce Corporate.
2018
Opening of the Steelforce Panama office to better supply and service our Latin American and Caribbean clients.
2019
Steelforce Services is created in Italy, a service center to provide the Italian food packaging industry with processed tinplate.
2020
Together, Steelforce and Seal of Quality found the company Tampack in Colombia to develop tinplate sales in Central and Latin America.
2022
Tinplate and packaging operations are brought together under one roof as Steelforce Packaging and opens a tinplate service center in Colombia.
Choose smart steel trading, choose Steelforce
This unique trajectory has made Steelforce into the company it is today: an accomplished steel trading partner with a global presence. Take advantage of our valuable insights and gain access to any steel market worldwide. Get in touch to learn more about our smart gateway to steel.