It is reported that efforts are under way to secure a meeting with the man now in charge of the fate of the Teesside Cast Products plant in an attempt to secure its future.
Mr George Dunning leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said that he is seeking talks with Dr Karl Ulrich Kohler, who is to take over as CEO of TATA Steel Europe.
Mr Dunning, who worked in Teesside’s steel industry for 30 years, said that he will write to Dr Kohler, and said he is hopeful the appointment of a new boss for the Corus parent company may see hope for the future of TCP.
Efforts to secure a buyer for the plant have continued since the mothballing was announced in December, and Coun Dunning said he hopes Dr Kohler will see the potential for the plant under new ownership.
He said that "We are hoping that Dr Kohler will consider that TCP could have a productive future under the control of a new buyer. The impact of the mothballing of the Redcar plant on our borough has been devastating and we will fight all the way to see this vital part of Teesside’s proud steelmaking history maintained. Myself and the council’s chief executive Mr Amanda Skelton will be writing to Dr Kohler to ensure that the future of the TCP plant remains firmly at the top of the priority list. I look forward to meeting him in the near future and impressing upon him the importance of this issue to the people of Redcar and Cleveland."
TATA announced earlier this week that Mr Adams would be leaving his position to return to his native Australia, after 18 months in the role. He has been criticized for his role in the aftermath of doubts first being cast over TCP's future last May, and was accused of failing to engage with the workforce. His conduct during negotiations has also been questioned.
However, TATA issued a statement in support of the Mr Adams in light of his decision to leave, stressing that the company had always backed its chief executive in his handling of TCP, and that criticism was ill founded and unfair.
(Sourced from www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)
