Thu, 31 Mar 2016 | BUSINESS SALE
According to Business Minister Anna Soubry, the government will be considering “all options” when it comes to finding a buyer for Tata’s Port Talbot steel plant.
Originally, some analysts and media sources believed this would mean, at least in the short term, nationalising the struggling steel-making operation. However, Prime Minister David Cameron and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Sajid Javid were both quick to dismiss the idea of nationalisation.
However, with around 3,000 direct jobs at stake, as well as an estimated 25,000 more within Tata’s supply chain, it’s clear that something must be done sooner rather than later. Added to this is the fact that the Port Talbot operation is so energy intensive that it would require significant investment to turn its fortunes around. Tata insiders estimate this to be in the region of £2 billion, with no guarantees that the potential returns would be anywhere near as generous as this figure.
One often mooted buyer that may be interested in Port Talbot is Germany’s ThyssenKrupp, but with European steel in a slump, the company is itself currently under intense pressure. Even potential Russian or Chinese buyers would be put off by the higher costs and overcapacity in Europe, according to some analysts.
On the plus side in terms of finding a buyer, there have been reports that Tata now values its British steel operations at “almost zero”. Furthermore, a company source is reported to have said that Tata was even prepared to “give it away for nothing”.
Nevertheless, Tata has apparently written off around £2 billion from the value of its UK assets. This has rendered them effectively useless. What's more, Koushik Chatterjee, the finance director of Tata Steel, said that Port Talbot had become “quite a burden for the company”, with the board admitting “we can’t sustain this kind of exposure”.
For more on this story, see the blog Tata Steel puts UK business up for sale.
Old Age and Dementia Care Home, Essex – Registered for 27. Care home registered for 27 service users within the categories of old age and dementia care. The home has benefited from an extensive refurbishment programme, since then the home is rapidly...
Care home in convenient West Midlands location, registered for 38 residents specialising in dementia care. This attractive and highly reputable home features all single bedrooms. Our client has owned the business since the early 1990's and has chosen...
A very successful fish and chip takeaway enjoying a prominent and highly visual trading location in the south Cornwall town of Helston. Well-appointed takeaway area with 7-pan gas range, adjoining retail area, storage and preparation rooms. Spacious...
FREEHOLD
|
28
|
|
Jan
|
Fairstone completes double acquisition | BUSINESS SALE
Tyne and Wear-based consolidator Fairstone Financial Managem...
|
27
|
|
Jan
|
Amigo founder puts company up for sale | BUSINESS SALE
Amigo founder James Benamor has put the subprime lender up f...
|
24
|
|
Jan
|
Hawkin’s Bazaar enters administration | ADMINISTRATION
Norwich-based novelty toy retailer Hawkin’s Bazaar has...
Sign up to receive our acquisition alert emails to get your FREE guide
|
26
|
|
Jul
|
Engineering firm Fairwood Fabrications goes into liquidation | ADMINISTRATION
An engineering firm that was a key figure in the industry, s...
|
26
|
|
Apr
|
Excalibur to prepare MBO deal for Tata Steel | MBO/MBI
Tata Steel’s Strip Products UK hub director Stuart Wil...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources