Tata Steel Europe, the European division of India-based Tata Steel which is one of the world's top 10 steel producers, has announced that it is investing £1.2 million ($1.9 million) in two new high-tech machines at its wire rod rolling mill in Scunthorpe, UK, in order to increase quality and efficiency and to boost production of the most technically demanding steels, especially fasteners for the automotive sector.
The investment in a new testing machine will improve quality testing on the company's ‘cold heading' product range, which includes steels used in fasteners for the automotive, mechanical engineering and construction sectors.
In addition, a new size and shape-measuring gauge at the mill will provide machine operators with rapid feedback on rod dimensions during the steel rolling process.
The investment will not result in increased overall production at the rod mill but will enable Tata Steel to increase its focus on the most demanding and safety-critical fastener products for the automotive industry. The fasteners can be used in anything from attaching car bonnets to securing children's car safety harnesses.
"Steel demand recovery has been slow following the global recession, with some sectors demonstrating particular difficulty in returning to pre-recession levels. But we will continue to invest in our capability to produce specialist and highly technical steel products to contribute to a more competitive and sustainable business," said Jon Bolton, director of Tata Steel's long products hub.
It is anticipated both machines will be commissioned in October 2011.