Anglo-American businessman Gary Klesch was on-site at Tata’s facilities as part of a round of site visits to the UK facilities.
The billionaire tycoon eyeing up Tata’s Long Products Europe division has visited Teesside to scope out sites included in the deal.
Tata’s Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby and Special Profiles at Skinningrove are among those included in the potential sale to Geneva-based Klesch Group. Around 700 Teesside workers will be affected by the buy-out if it goes ahead.
Gary Klesch, owner and founder of global industrial commodities business Klesch Group, was on-site at Tata’s facilities as part of a round of site visits to the UK facilities included in the sell-off. It’s believed the visits took place last week.
Mr Klesch’s visit was part of a process of ‘due diligence’ process agreed with Tata Steel.
A Tata Steel spokesman refused to say what was discussed during Mr Klesch’s visit.
He said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on the visit.
“The due diligence process is still on-going and is expected to carry on for some time yet.”
Unions have called in a consultancy firm to investigate the economic, social and environmental impact of the sale, amid claims there has been no consultation with staff - and have also called for assurances about jobs.
Last month, Mr Klesch told the Gazette: “We don’t have a view on employment level, but nobody should read anything into that.
“We make investments in all our businesses and we’ll look at an investment programme here.
“There is a pre-judgement that if a business is unprofitable, it will be cut. That’s not necessarily so. A business can become profitable. When we get our hands dirty, as they say, we’ll have a much better idea.
“It’s a tough European market, but we are used to dealing in that market.”
Tata’s Teesside Service Centre, which is a distribution hub, its Special Profiles operations at Darlington and a further distribution centre in Newcastle will also be affected by the sale.
Source: gazettelive.co.uk
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