Koch Metals Launches Online Trading System
Koch expands its e-commerce capabilities with instant trading, communication and pricing

Koch Metals Trading Limited announced today at Metal Bulletin's E-metals 2000 Conference that it's introducing a sophisticated, Internet-based, online trading system that sets a new standard for trading, communication and forward metals pricing on the Web.

Koch Metals, a member of the London Metals Exchange (LME), provides metals risk management globally using standard as well as exotic products.

The Koch Metals Online Trading System will allow clients to trade with instant, unhindered access, communicate directly with Koch dealers and make complex calculations instantly.

"This system changes the rules of the game," said Karl Hackert, head of e-commerce at Koch Metals. "No longer do clients need to call for prices; our prices will be available online, in real time. And not just for the most active contracts, but for all months traded at the LME in products where Koch Metals is an active market maker. Trades are confirmed online with constant communication from a `trader-to-trader' link, a two-way private communication between the client and the dealer."

The introduction of this online metals trading system comes at a key time, as a number of companies within the metals industry are beginning to consider buying and selling online.

"We've previewed this system with selected metal producer, consumer, and fund clients, and all agree it will change the way they do business in the metals market," said Frans Pettinga, managing director of Koch Metals.

"Not only are we thrilled to bring this sophisticated trading system to our clients, but it is noteworthy that this system was developed totally by Delinea, a newly formed Web developing and consulting company created by Koch," said Hackert.

The Metal Bulletin conference, held in New York, addressed issues and challenges facing the metals industry, as it adapts to technological change. The conference, entitled The E-commerce and the Global Metals & Steel Industry Seminar, featured speakers from across the metals industry interested in e-commerce and Internet growth.

The Koch Metals Online Trading System is the latest in a line of innovative e-commerce capabilities and ventures announced by Koch Metals' parent company, Koch Industries, Inc. Koch affiliates actively trade a wide variety of commodities, such as plastics, metals, power and weather derivatives. Many of these trading operations have online capabilities. In addition, Koch Ventures, Inc., Koch's venture capital arm, has invested in numerous e-commerce and Internet-enabled companies, including telecommunications firm PF.Net, of which Koch is a co-founder and one-third owner; Altra Energy, an online energy commodity trading platform; and eCommission, which specializes in Internet-based financial services for the real estate industry.

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Koch Metals Trading Limited is an affiliate of Koch Industries, Inc., which, through its subsidiaries, employs 11,500 people worldwide and is involved in virtually all phases of the oil and gas industry, as well as in chemicals, plastics, energy services, chemical and environmental technology products, asphalt products, metals and mineral services, ranching, financial services and ventures. For more information on Koch, refer to www.kochmetals.com or www.kochind.com on the Internet.