Tata Steel: 100 years of Dutch operations
by David Fleschen
Tata Steel celebrates the 100th anniversary of its operations in the Netherlands, with a ceremony to mark the start of the centennial year at its integrated steelmaking plant in IJmuiden.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, joined Tata Steel representatives to officially open the anniversary year celebrations.
Founded in 1918, the site currently employs 9,000 people with an annual production of seven million tonnes of steel. The high-quality steel produced in IJmuiden is used across the globe in products ranging from batteries to cars and from food packaging to industrial machinery.
T.V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel said: “During its rich history, IJmuiden has stood the test of time and provided the highest quality steel to our customers around the world while meeting broader societal issues such as employment, general welfare and trade policy.
“In the coming 100 years we will stay committed to serving our communities and continue to develop innovative steel products which help solve major societal challenges such as the transition to sustainable energy and mobility.”
And he added: “Tata Steel in the Netherlands continues to play a crucial role in European steelmaking and will provide a strong foundation as we set out to build an even stronger, long-term sustainable European steel business through a planned joint venture with thyssenkrupp.”
Hans Fischer, CEO of Tata Steel’s European operations, said: “Our exciting journey began a century ago and, even today, steel is part of a very fundamental change in society. The shift towards a sustainable, circular economy, in which raw materials are never wasted but re-used again and again is well under way. Our groundbreaking HIsarna project will be an important step towards a circular economy and low-carbon steelmaking.
“It is thanks to the people working here today and those before them that we can share this great moment together.”
IJmuiden steelworks is a key part of Tata Steel’s business in Europe and the company continues to invest in the Netherlands, as well as in the UK, to meet the evolving needs of its customers in a wide variety of industries around the globe.
source: Tata Steel, photo: Tata Steel Europe