Tisco output up

Tata Steel has reported an all-time high production of hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel in the first nine months of fiscal 2004-05.

Saleable steel production in the April - December 2004 period was 3.13 million tonne (mn.t.), 2 per cent higher than the volumes in the corresponding period last year.

Production was higher despite the fact that Tisco's largest blast furnace, labelled 'G', was shut down from December 2004, for capacity expansion work.

Tisco said its cold rolling mill produced 1.06 million tonnes, 15 per cent more in volume terms than the first nine months of the last fiscal.

Tisco's initiative to enrich product mix continued to yield results, it added.

Supplies to the automobile sector comprising HR, CR and galvanised products was up by 32 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last fiscal.

Sales of branded products Tata Shakti corrugated galvanised sheets, Tiscon rebars and Tata Steelium cold rolled sheets rose by 13 per cent, 15 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.