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Tata Steel Reports Increased Production, Mixed Sales in Third Quarter
01/07/2009 - Tata Steel reports that it produced 1.50 million tonnes of crude steel in the third quarter of FY09, a 17% increase over the third quarter of the previous fiscal year.
Tata Steel reported that it produced 1.50 million tonnes of crude steel in the third quarter of FY09, a 17% increase over the third quarter of the previous fiscal year. The company also produced 1.70 million tonnes of hot metal in the third quarter, a 23% increase over last year’s fiscal third quarter.
Tata Steel’s saleable steel production during the quarter remained almost remained at the same level (1.24 million tonnes) as that of last year, despite the planned shutdown of the Hot Strip Mill.
Third quarter sales of 1.07 million tonnes was about 14% lower as compared to the year-ago third quarter, with the decrease attributed to the ongoing economic slowdown. However, the company also registered Long Product sales of 0.48 million tonnes during the third quarter, representing 27% growth vs. the year-ago third quarter.
During the quarter, Tata Steel commissioned its third billet caster at Steel Melting Shop No. 1 and completed an upgrade of the hot strip mill’s roughing mill as part of 1.8 million tonnes/year expansion of the existing units. Tata Steel is also continuing with its growth plan to expand the Jamshedpur Works capacity to 10 million tonnes/year by 2010.
Q3 FY09 was a momentous period for Tata Steel, as it won the coveted Deming Application Prize in recognition of its efforts toward practicing the TQM philosophy in its operation at Jamshedpur. It is the only integrated steel plant in the world, outside Japan, to have won this award.
The company focused on continuous improvement in Q3 FY09 to help bring down costs and improve productivity. The newly commissioned blast furnace (“H Blast Furnace”) has ramped up and has produced more than 8500 tonnes per day for many consecutive days against the rated capacity of 7150 tonnes per day.
Also in the third quarter, the company’s 50-year-old Merchant Mill achieved its best monthly production for 2 consecutive months with an improved yield of 96.02% as compared to 95.45% last year. The company’s Wire Rod Mill yield also increased to 98.80% from last year’s figure of 96.35%.
Also in the third quarter, the company’s 50-year-old Merchant Mill achieved its best monthly production for 2 consecutive months with an improved yield of 96.02% as compared to 95.45% last year. The company’s Wire Rod Mill yield also increased to 98.80% from last year’s figure of 96.35%.
