TATA Steel's Tubes business in Europe has announced a recovery plan to match business operations to current and projected market demand in the foreseeable future.

The plan will focus on efficiency improvements and cost reductions with the aim of enabling the business to withstand the current weak economic conditions and restoring its profitability.

Four of the company's Tubes sites in the UK and the Netherlands will be affected. There are anticipated to be 110 job losses at Corby in the UK and in the Netherlands, 17 in Zwijndrecht, 28 in Maastricht and 45 in Oosterhout.

Mr Remco Blaauw MD of TATA Steel's European tube business said that "Our announcement today follows a detailed review of all our European tubes activities. In response to the prolonged downturn in all European markets for tubes, and in the context of intense competition, the measures announced today are designed to bring these sites into a sustainable financial position."

He added that "Our priority is to minimize the impact on our employees, and to assist affected colleagues through a difficult process. Our goal is to secure a sustainable tubes business which will not only weather the current economic storm, but can prosper in the future."

In the UK a full, formal 90 day consultation process will take place with Trade Unions and employee representatives, and with all affected employees on an individual basis. This announcement is subject to relevant consultation and approval rights within the Netherlands. The Company will explore all opportunities to re deploy employees where practical and to assist those people leaving the business through a range of support services.