Tata Steel has announced completion of its £2 million investment at its Dudley plant in the West Midlands in the UK for upgrading its hot-rolled strip processing capabilities.
The final investment has come from installing a leveller at a cost of £500,000, which will come on-stream in January 2012. This move will help the steel-maker increase supply to clients engaged in manufacturing construction and earth-moving equipment.
The new leveller, a bespoke design by industrial equipment manufacturer Heinrich Georg in conjunction with Tata Steel's research and development team, will be used to supply premium products to manufacturers of forklift truck frames, wheels, agricultural equipment and trailers.
Positive growth
“The lifting and excavating sector has shown positive growth this year and is forecast to continue growing into next year. We'll be facing demand for greater volumes from customers who also require products that meet exceptionally high standards.
“The new investment at Dudley will mean Tata Steel is best placed to meet this demand,” Tata Steel Europe's Marketing Manager for Lifting and Excavating, Mr Terry Bennett said.
The investment follows another worth £8 million to expand capacity in quenched and tempered plate at its Clydebridge plant in Scotland – an investment that will also enhance the quality of products supplied to the lifting and excavating sector, among others.
Tata Steel shares at the BSE were up 0.81 per cent at Rs 458.55 on Tuesday.