Europe's second largest steel producer Tata Steel Europe has announced that it plans to improve productivity and customer service at its Hartlepool site in the UK by investing £7 million ($11.3 million) in enhanced welding and material handling capability.
The investment will improve the welding capabilities of the 42-inch submerged arc welding (SAW) mill and the 20-inch high frequency induction (HFI) mill at the Hartlepool facilities, as well as improving both mills' handling equipment.
Tata Steel's 42-inch SAW mill is known worldwide for the supply of thick wall, small diameter line pipes preferred by the oil and gas industry. A new fifth welding line will increase the mill's internal welding output by 25 percent. The 20-inch HFI mill, on the other hand, produces various tubular products for the structural, mechanical, process plant and energy markets.
The relevant installation and commissioning works are scheduled for the first six months of 2012.