Trade, in particular transit trade, in products of the steel and hard metal industry as well as related industries; Storage and management of products of the steel and hard metal industry as well as related industries; Global activity as a distribution and logistics center in connection with the aforementioned products; Development, introduction and/or monitoring of logistics concepts relating to goods flows, inventory management, goods receipt and goods sales; Development, introduction and/or monitoring of IT applications relating to goods flows, inventory management, goods receipt and goods sales; Brokerage of trade transactions; Conducting market research, marketing and design in relation to the aforementioned products; Exploitation of patents and licenses and/or other intangible assets and know-how; Participations.