In order to improve service to French stainless steel customers, and in line with the strategy to increase sales to end-users and project customers, Outokumpu will expand its stock and processing capability in France. The project will entail the relocation of the current coil service center from Azay sur Cher some 40km east to new premises in Noyers sur Cher in Central France. New cutting equipment will be installed to enable the processing of stainless steel plate, as well. The combined coil and plate processing capacity of standard and special stainless steel grades will be 40,000tpy, and it will be in place by the end of 2009. The total investment is some EUR 14 million over two years.