Tata Steel gets PE interest for its South East Asian units; gets valuation of $500m

"In pursuit of its long-term strategy to create sustainable value for its shareholders, Tata Steel periodically undertakes assessment and review of its portfolio including overseas business," a Tata Steel spokesperson said.

"Tata Steel will continue to consider all strategic decisions including portfolio restructuring options in a responsible manner taking into account the interests of stakeholders, including employees. However, as there is no firm proposal for consideration current, the company has no further comment to make in the matter," added the spokesperson.

View from the top

The country's largest steelmaker had first given a peek to its strategy in July, when during its AGM, Chairman N Chandrasekaran said that Tata Steel is looking to simplify its structure and may sell assets that have not scaled.

Interestingly, Tata Steel's global ambitions took first steps with the acquisition of NatSteel, in 2004 for about 480 million Singapore Dollars. A year later, the Indian major picked up Millennium Steel for $400 million, which included debts of $225 million.

Two years later, the global expansion would end with the record buy of Corus for $12 billion.

But the overseas expansion hasn't gone according to the plan. The Corus business, now Tata Steel Europe, is being merged with the steel business of thyssenKrupp, in an attempt to bring stability.

NatSteel and Tata Steel Thailand too haven't scaled up to expectation. While the operations in the region turned profitable in the last financial year, margins remained low. While net profit of Tata Steel Thailand doubled, that of NatSteel dived by more than half. EBITDA, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, of both the firms fell.

"The two companies haven't scaled despite attempts. The view is that resources should be concentrated in India, which is among the fast growing steel markets in the world," said a senior executive from the industry.

Push from Narendran

The plan to sell the two units have got a strong push from Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director TV Narendran.

The Tata Steel veteran was involved in the acquisition of NatSteel Singapore and took over as its President & CEO in 2008. From 2013, he was Managing Director of the operations, both in India and South East Asia. At present, he is the Chairman of the two units.

Narendran has been vocal about refocussing Tata Steel's resources to grow in India, where the company has aggressively bid for distressed assets. It has already bagged Bhushan Steel, and continues to be in the reckoning for Bhushan Power & Steel. It has also acquired Usha Martin.