TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS

Jan. 10, 2000
Algoma Steel Inc. of Canada, and Siderca S.A. of Argentina, one of the DST companies, have signed a preliminary agreement...would lease and operate Algoma's seamless steel pipe manufacturing facilities in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

Algoma Steel Inc. of Canada, and Siderca S.A. of Argentina, one of the DST companies, have signed a preliminary agreement pursuant to which they have undertaken to further negotiate the terms under which Siderca, through a newly incorporated Canadian affiliate, controlled by, or under common control with Siderca, would lease and operate Algoma's seamless steel pipe manufacturing facilities in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

Algoma Steel is Canada's third-largest integrated steel producer. Siderca, through its participation with Dalmine S.p.A. of Italy and Tubos de Acero de Mexico S.A. of Mexico (TAMSA), is part of the DST Group which is a member of Techint Group. The new Canadian company would thus become part of the DST Group.

Algoma and Siderca expect to finalize the definitive agreements during the first quarter of the year 2000, subject to any clearances that may be required by applicable laws.

CE Franklin Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has announced that CEF Technologies Ltd. ("CEF TEC"), a wholly owned subsidiary, has formed the Pro Lift division to penetrate the progressing cavity pump market. This highly specialized division is dedicated to the marketing and servicing of progressing cavity pumping systems.

The correct application of these pumps requires significant applications knowledge to ensure a proper match between the pump and the well requirements. The Pro Lift team is a dedicated and focused group of industry professionals with technical superiority in both product and sales knowledge who will help provide the lowest life cycle cost for progressive cavity pumping systems.

CE Franklin is a distributor of supplies to the oil and gas drilling and production industry. In addition to its complete range of production equipment, including artificial lift technology, the company sells pipe, valves, fittings and maintenance supplies and provides complete customer inventory procurement and management services. The company also manufactures and packages specialized products for the energy industry and provides supply packages for projects in the hydrocarbon processing industry through its Piping Resources Division.