Our history

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.

1994

With the support of Promatex, Luc Smolders creates Ferromex in order to start up and expand the export activities in Asia and Middle East.

Ferromex is initially dedicated to developing sales in India and in South East Asia (particularly Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines).

An associated office is opened in Mumbai, India which brings about also new sourcing possibilities.

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.

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.