Daily Management Review

Tata Steel UK In ‘Exclusive Negotiation’ For The Sale Of Its ‘Long Products Europe business’


12/28/2015


By signing a letter with Greybull Capital, Tata Steel UK treads into the potential negotiations with the former.



Dailymanagementreview.com – 27 December 2015 – The “indirect subsidiary company” of Tata Steel Europe, namely Tata Steel UK, has made an announcement confirming the “signing of a letter of intent with Greybull Capital”, whereby it has entered in “exclusive negotiations” regarding the possible “sale of its Long Products Europe business”.
 
Moreover, the letter takes into account various “UK-based assets” like “Tata Steel UK’s Scunthorpe steelworks, mills in Teesside and northern France, an engineering workshop in Workington, a design consultancy in York, and associated distribution facilities”. In fact, the list does not end here; it extends over to “Tata Steel’s Scottish mills in Dalzell and Clydebridge”, the latter two being the current mothball.
 
The Chief Executive of “Tata Steel’s European operations”, Karl Koehler informs:
“This is an extremely critical time for the whole industry, and we have been working hard to explore all options that could provide a future for the Long Products Europe business.
“We will now move into detailed negotiations with Greybull Capital. It is too early to give any certainty about the potential outcome of these discussions.
“We will continue to work closely with our trade unions and works councils and will communicate any relevant news to employees on an ongoing basis.
“In the meantime, Tata Steel and our Long Products Europe business will continue to work closely with customers to deliver high-quality products.
“Accelerating innovation on advanced steel solutions, helping our customers succeed in their markets and creating a sustainable asset base remain our strategic focus.
“Tata Steel has been a hugely supportive investor in the UK steel market, having invested almost £1.5 billion in its operations. Our aim is to make our European business globally competitive.”
 
While, the Long Products Europe business’ Executive Chairman, Bimlendra Jha adds:
“Today’s announcement is the result of the huge effort put in by employees, trade unions and management to seek a future for the Long Products Europe business by creating a turnaround plan.
“The development of this plan, in cooperation with customers, suppliers and government, has enabled us to reach this stage, though much work remains to be done to reach a successful outcome."
 
At present, the “Long Products Europe and its distribution facilities” provide employment to about “4,700 people”; while Tata Steel Europe has “about 30,000 people” from all over Europe under its employment list, which also includes “about 17,000 in the UK”. 






References:
http://www.europe.tata.com/