110 jobs axed at Rotherham steelworks

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Tata Steel has today announced 110 jobs will go at Thrybergh Bar Mill.

Tata is to restructure its bar business to focus on supplying hi-tech products to advanced manufacturing sectors — with £2.75 million being invested in the Rotherham-based business.

The restructuring follows a significant decline in demand for bar steel products in a number of key markets, including automotive, bright conversion and bright bar.

As a result of this reduced demand, Tata Steel is proposing to reduce its production and shift levels which will lead to the loss of 135 jobs — 110 in Rotherham, 16 in Stocksbridge and nine in Wednesbury, West Midlands. 

The company announced similar changes in 2009 to focus its South Yorkshire-based Speciality Steels business on high-value markets.

Tata Steel’s Bar business will be integrated into its Speciality Steels business, as part of the changes.

The plans at Tata Steel’s Bar business are part of wide-ranging restructuring proposals.

Mark Broxholme, managing director of Tata Steel’s Speciality Steels and Bar business, said: “These proposed changes are a critical part of developing a sustainable and competitive Bar business.

“Tata Steel is showing its commitment to making this strategy work by committing £2.75 million of investment for the Bar business.

“We are investing in improvements to our steelmaking in Rotherham as well as to the final quality of our products.

“Over the coming weeks, our priority will be to help our employees through this difficult process and keep them up to date with the changes.

“We will do everything we can to provide them with support and assistance."

The process of consultation with Tata Steel employees and their representatives has started in a bid to limit potential redundancies.

Tata Steel employs 2,200 people at its Specialty Steels and Bar business in the UK, including 1,050 in Rotherham and 70 in Wednesbury.