Ashok Kumar, has met with senior directors of Tata Steel as part of his ongoing campaign to put the case for the continued viability of the Teesside Cast Products plant at Redcar.

He met with senior directors from Tata Steel and in particular Dr. Debanshish Bhattacharjee, Director of Research Development and Technology from Tata Steel. 

Ashok said “I pressed on him the importance of the Redcar and Lackenby Plant and the versatility and excellence of the steelmaking tradition on Teesside.  I also pointed out the productivity and cost gains that had been made on the complex over past years, and the need to press on with trying to sell the plant as a supplier of steel slab to the world steel re-rolling market.  I also pointed out the geographical advantages of the plant, the deep water anchorage and the links with PD ports own operations on the neighbouring site”

“I also pointed out that Teesside steel was not a sunset industry, and that it was engaged on continuous improvement in terms of its own processes and innovation in the use of its plant”

“I can say here and now that Dr. Bhattacharjee listened intently and also mentioned how impressed he was with the Research and Development work carried out by agencies and local industry support groups like ONE North East and the Centre for Process Innovation headed up by Graham Hillier.”

“I have to say that Tata have always said that they were investing in Corus for the long haul, and that the Teesside operations have to be seen in that context. Obviously, there are market difficulties at the present time, but I believe that the worst of the recession is now behind us, and that has to be encouraging for Corus and for Teesside”