The  Ferro  Alloys  &  Minerals Division (FAMD) and the Bearing Division of Tata  Steel has secured first and second positions respectively in category –  A (Large and Medium Scale Member companies) for "Significant Improvement in  Productivity”  for the year 2003-04 by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The bearing Division has also been selected to receive a certificate in Category - C (Individuals or teams from all member companies).

Mr.  P  Roy  Executive-in-Charge  - FAMD Tata Steel, received the award for FAMD  where  as  Mr. A Choudhry, Chief Operation, Bearing Division received the award on behalf of the entire team from CII at a glittering ceremony in Kolkata today.

The  FAMD  has  achieved  all  time highs in production, sales and turnover since  its inception as Profit Centre in 1993. There has been a significant reduction in working capital (20%) and more than 40% increase in turnover.

Manganese mines of FAMD, which came into the fold of this division only two years   ago,  doubled  its  production  to  2.8  lakh tonnes during FY 03-04 through   restructuring   of   its   operations  and  increased  exploration activities.  This turned around the Manganese business and now the division is  on  a  growth   path  in  line  with  the Steel business in India, which requires Manganese alloy as an essential input.

Apart from production, management of logistics for dispatch to customers at lowest   cost  was  the prime concern and the division met this challenge by special efforts to increase dispatches to customers through Railway wagons.