 The business prospered until the 1970s (see Steel crisis), in the latter part of the 20th century employment dropped - from 3500 in 1985 to 1200 in 2002.In 1997 A 50% share in the company was taken by Koninklijke Hoogovens as joint venture HB Holding., with an option to buy the remaining shares.The UGB subsidiary Fabrique de Fer de Maubeuge (FFM) was also acquired, and renamed 'Myriad' in 1998.