• steelbuy, backed by tk accelis Trading NA, has launched in the U.S.

• Digital B2B platform for various flat-rolled metals

• Launch supports tk accelis’ strategy to expand in North America and drive supply chain digitization

tk accelis has launched its new B2B platform steelbuy USA. A digital marketplace, steelbuy USA connects service centers, mills and buyers of flat-rolled metals in the U.S. on a single platform, simplifying the transaction process and making inventory more transparent. Backed by decades of experience in materials distribution in North America, steelbuy is going to complement tk accelis’ existing materials business by reaching new buyers and sellers beyond traditional networks. 

The platform focuses on flat-rolled carbon steel, coated steel, including coils, sheets, aluminum, and stainless steel with the option to grow following a market-by-market expansion. Now live, the platform is onboarding initial buyers and sellers and already has more than 54,000 short tons of material listed. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, steelbuy USA’s goal is to connect buyers and sellers across the country and provide a new, efficient channel to search and move live inventories, request quotes and transact online. 

While other sectors have rapidly moved the sale of their products online, the steel industry has continued to rely on traditional methods of manual RFQ rounds, ordering by email, phone, or fax. steelbuy presents a comprehensive digital solution to complement and simplify these traditional channels. 

“This modernization of steel trading is long overdue,” says Chris Shipp, Director of steelbuy USA. “steelbuy is not intended to replace established sales channels. Instead, it adds a faster and more transparent digital option that responds to the changing expectations of the market.”

The U.S. launch of steelbuy aligns with tk accelis’ strategy to expand in North America and drive supply chain digitization.

The Supply Chain Solutions business of tk accelis, a global provider of materials, integrated supply chain management and logistics services, has completed a multimillion-dollar investment in the expansion of its Bengaluru operations, strengthening its position as a key enabler of India's rapidly growing aerospace sector.

The investment has expanded warehouse capacity, operational capabilities and supporting infrastructure at the company's Bengaluru site, also creating new skilled jobs in the region. The expansion reflects increasing customer demand, accelerating aerospace production activity across India, and the global industry's continued shift toward more geographically diverse and resilient supply chains.

Located within the Bengaluru Aerospace Special Economic Zone, the facility serves aerospace manufacturers through material supply, processing and advanced supply chain services. With its origins in India dating back to 2015, tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions helped establish the foundation for modern aerospace material management and supply chain support in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.

"India is becoming an increasingly important part of the global aerospace ecosystem," said Gopi Hanumanthappa, Managing Director, tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions India Pvt Ltd. "This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to the market and to our customers. Having pioneered dedicated aerospace materials management in India in the past, we are proud to continue investing in the country's future."

The expansion is strengthening supply chain resilience for aerospace manufacturers by bringing materials, inventory management and logistics capabilities closer to production centers. The expansion further reinforces tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions' strategy of delivering integrated, end-to-end supply chain solutions that combine materials expertise, logistics excellence and digital supply chain capabilities.

With India increasingly attracting aerospace manufacturing investment from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, the enlarged Bengaluru operation positions tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions at the center of one of the industry's most dynamic growth stories.

tk accelis Processing Europe, part of tk accelis, has successfully ramped up its expanded steel processing site in Stuttgart: The company celebrated the processing of the first 500 coils on the new slitting line, which supports the processing of particularly thin materials, including electrical steel strip for future-oriented applications. In addition, a digitally integrated packaging line has been commissioned, marking an important step toward higher-quality, controlled processing services. Featuring state-of-the-art technology, the new setup is designed to enhance efficiency, quality, and process reliability by seamlessly integrating processing and packaging operations – enabling faster turnaround times, consistently high product quality, and greater flexibility in meeting individual customer requirements.

With the new slitting and packaging line, the Stuttgart site is now designed for an annual processing capacity of up to 350,000 tons. The slitting line is part of an integrated setup that streamlines material flows and enables processing of materials with a broad thickness range from 0.2 to 5.0 mm. From stacking and handling interleaving, protective materials and pallets to the secure strapping of coils and packages, processes at the Stuttgart site are designed to run efficiently and with minimal manual intervention. Automated weighing and labeling are also used to ensure consistent quality and full traceability throughout.

“Our goal is to provide customers across Europe with reliable quality, short lead times, and a comprehensive service offering,” says Marcus Wöhl, CEO of tk accelis Processing Europe. “With the new slitting and packaging line, we are taking another important step toward highly automated and data-driven operations. The digital integration of production and packaging processes reduces manual handling, minimizes paper-based documentation and supports more efficient resource utilization. We are also strengthening our competitive position by enabling the site to process electrical steel strip, a key material for various applications.”

A defining feature of the new installation is its end-to-end digital integration: processing, material handling, packaging, and the automated knife assembly robot are fully interconnected and centrally managed via tk accelis proprietary toii® platform, which is designed to enable real-time data availability, high transparency, and reproducible process quality.

• Over 15 years of experience in strategic human resources; in leadership positions at the OBI Group and Fresenius, as well as a management consultant

• Most recently, Managing Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development at the OBI Group, with overall responsibility for approximately 40,000 employees in ten countries

• Appointed by the Supervisory Board of tk accelis Management AG for a three-year term beginning October 1, 2026

The Supervisory Board of tk accelis Management AG has appointed Jennifer Weihs as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) effective October 1, 2026. In addition, in close consultation with the employee representatives of the Supervisory Board, it is planned to appoint Jennifer Weihs as Labour Director at tk accelis GmbH effective October 1, 2026.

Ilse Henne, CEO of tk accelis: “Jennifer Weihs brings years of experience leading large, international human resources organizations and possesses the leadership qualities we were looking for to ensure the independence of tk accelis. We are very much looking forward to working with her.”

Jennifer Weihs is joining from the OBI Group, where she has been Managing Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development, overseeing HR operations for approximately 40,000 employees across ten countries. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA. She began her career in management consulting, holding positions at Korn Ferry, Willis Towers Watson, and Kienbaum. Jennifer Weihs holds a degree in psychology from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions has signed a new 10-year long-term agreement with SKF for the supply of steel bar products across France and the United Kingdom. Under the agreement, tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions will manage the supply of steel bar materials supporting SKF's manufacturing operations, delivering secure, reliable and efficient material availability through an integrated supply chain approach.

The contract forms part of tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions' Global Control Tower offering, a comprehensive, technology-enabled solution that combines strategic materials sourcing, supply chain management, logistics, inventory optimization and digital visibility. Designed to help manufacturers navigate increasingly complex global supply chains, the Global Control Tower provides end-to-end transparency, predictive planning and proactive risk management while supporting the availability of materials where and when customers need them.

By integrating materials supply with advanced supply chain management capabilities, tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions will support SKF in enhancing operational resilience, improving inventory performance and increasing supply chain efficiency across its operations in France and the UK.

François Pillavoine, Chief Sales Officer at tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions France, said:

"This long-term agreement demonstrates the trust SKF has placed in tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions as a strategic supply chain partner. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SKF over the next decade and supporting their long-term manufacturing ambitions."

Ivan Bourgeois, Aerospace Purchasing Manager Europe at SKF, added:

"This long-term agreement with tk accelis Supply Chain Solutions represents an important step in supporting our continued growth across France and the UK. Having a trusted partner with deep materials expertise and a resilient global supply network enables us to enhance operational efficiency, improve supply continuity and respond with greater agility to evolving market demands.”

The agreement reflects the growing demand for strategic partnerships that extend beyond traditional materials distribution, enabling manufacturers to build more agile, data-driven and resilient supply chains capable of responding to changing market conditions.