A vision envisaged by the Founder... executed by his successors... developed and evolved by future generations... to become today, a Global enterprise! This is the story of Tata Steel which completes 100 glorious years of existence on August 26, 2007 following the ideals and philosophy laid down by its Founder, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata way back in 1907. It is an honour to celebrate this momentous occasion, when the first private sector steel plant which started with a production capacity of 1,00,000 tonnes has transformed into a global giant with a production capacity of almost 26MT.

According to Mr. B Muthuraman, Managing Director - Tata Steel, "More than a chronology of events, the Centenary of our Company is a celebration of enduring values, exemplary corporate governance and unique achievements in creating customer delight. The Centenary story of Tata Steel is also linked intrinsically to the genesis and growth of an Industrial India, as envisioned by our Founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. It is a story that we will continue to celebrate in multiple ways over the next one year. We look forward to another hundred years and more of creating wealth and well-being for all the communities we serve."

To commemorate the completion of 100 years of successful operations, a milestone achieved by few, there is a host of events and activities lined up for the citizens of Jamshedpur.

There will be a cake cutting ceremony by Mr. B Muthuraman, Managing Director - Tata Steel at Tata Steel Archives at 12.30 pm. This will be followed by the inauguration of the re-designed Founder's Gallery at Tata Steel Archives by the MD. He will also launch Tata Steel's Centenary Micro-site - www.tatasteel100.com. A site with interactive features like "Share Your Story" and "Impressions", where a viewer can share his memories and experiences about the company, "People", a section on leaders of past and present, "Snapshots", focusing on some historic moments of the company, "Advertisements", a section comprising of print and electronic advertisements of the company over these ten decades. The site will also have updates on the Centenary Projects that will be undertaken during the year. There will be an events guide section which will inform viewers of forthcoming events and contain reports on functions that have taken place in the past.

Centenary year of Tata Steel will witness the launch of long awaited Air Deccan commercial flight connecting Jamshedpur and Kolkata. The special inaugural flight carrying guests from Tata Steel will take off from Kolkata at 10.00 am and land in Jamshedpur amidst celebration. The first flight from Jamshedpur to Kolkata will be flagged off by Mr. B Muthuraman, Managing Director - Tata Steel on the same day at 12.00 noon.

The evening will be marked by an internal function at Tata Steel Works which will be attended by all Tata Steel employees, Union Committee Members and Head's of Tata Steel Group Companies. The august gathering will witness the release of the book by R. M. Lala titled "Romance of Tata Steel". This will be followed by a film on the Centenary of Tata Steel named "The Spirit of Steel" directed by Zafar Hai will be screened showcasing the legacy of the Company. A special anthem that has been penned down to mark the hundredth year of Tata Steel will also be launched.

In addition to these functions on August 26, 2007, there will be a series of events planned throughout the year so as to touch all our stakeholders who have been our partners in this 100 year journey.

AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY MARKED BY ACHIEVEMENTS...

 Decade I - (1907 - 1917)

On 26th August 1907, the Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel Limited) was registered and shares were issued to the Indian investors. The Steel Company obtained its first collieries in 1910 and the first ingot of steel was rolled out in February 1912. The Company introduction of an eight hour working day for labourers and employees, long before these were enforced by law in this country. The Greater Extension Scheme was launched in 1916 to raise capacity to 450,000 tonnes and diversify production

Decade II - (1917 - 1927)

In acknowledgement of Tata Steel's contribution in the allied war efforts, Lord Chelmsford visited Sakchi and renamed it Jamshedpur. Jamshedpur Technical Institute was opened in 1921 with 23 students on board. The New Rail Mill, Merchant Mill and Sheet Mill went into operation in 1925.

Decade III - (1927 - 1937)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (then President of the Jamshedpur Labour Association) visited Jamshedpur in 1928 and a historic agreement was signed between him and Sir N B Saklatvala, Chairman, Tata Steel and Mr C A Alexander, General Manager. This speaks of the saga of mutual cooperation and understanding that was being nurtured and developed at Tata Steel and continues to this day. Profit Sharing Bonus was granted for the first time in India in the year 1934.

Decade IV - (1937 - 1947)

"A" Furnace was 'blown-in' into operation on December 17th 1939. Special steel for war purpose was manufactured during the years 1941-42. The period of one year between 1942 and 1943, was characterized by the efforts of the Steel Company to produce a wide variety of special steels required for defense purposes including armoured cars called 'Tatanagars'. Tata Steel's step towards nation building was in 1943 with the construction of Howrah Bridge.

Decade V - (1947 - 1957)

The Community Development & Social Welfare Department was established in 1951 with the objective to address issues arising out of urbanisation in Jamshedpur. The Two Million Expansion plan was undertaken in 1953-54. To address the problem of Population explosion, in 1954, J. R. D Tata initiated Family Planning. Bipartite Agreement in 1956 saw a landmark agreement in India, when the union and the management agreed to participate in a 3-tier system of joint consultation on major issues.

Decade VI - (1957 - 1967)

The Ferro Manganese Plant commenced production at Joda in April, 1967. This was a very special occasion for Joda, an otherwise remote valley. Modernisation through IBM 1401 was introduced in 1967. At that time, Tata Steel was the first institutions in India to have gone for total computerization as part of a Modernisation process.Tata Steel celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1958 and Jubilee Park was given as a gift to the citizens of Jamshedpur by Tata Steel.

Decade VII - (1967 - 1977)

Tata Steel Growth Shop which was introduced in 1968 was not just a massive engineering workshop, but a symbol of self-reliance.

Decade VIII - (1977 - 1987)

Tata Steel entered a new era of steel making with the commissioning of the 1.1. million tonne per annum L.D. (Basic Oxygen Furnace) Shop on 23rd March 1982 The First Phase of Modernisation in 1984, Tata Steel introduced BOF steelmaking which could produce liquid steel in forty five minutes when it took the old open hearth furnaces, close to five hundred. Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) was established in 1979 to assist in irrigation, agriculture, safe drinking water, basic health care service, income generating activities, environment and forest protection, youth and women development programmes in villages around Jamshedpur.

Decade IX - (1987 - 1997)

The Second Phase of Modernisation was in 1988 when the Company concentrated largely on the iron-making area. On March 2, 1991, Jamshedpur received a sprawling, multi-crore sports complex called JRD Sports Complex dedicated to JRD. Lifeline Express, the world's first hospital-on-wheels sponsored by Tata Steel was started in 1991, which provides basic medical facilities in remote rural areas. During the Third Phase of Modernisation in 1994, Tata Steel set up an internationally competitive flat products complex. Apart from a one million tonne hot strip mill, a new one million tonne G blast furnace was also installed. The one-million-tonne-per annum Hot Strip Mill, was commissioned on March 2, 1992. The First Slab Caster came into operation during 1993-94. The Third Phase of the Modernisation Programme was completed in 1994 - 95. Tata Steel became the First Steel Plant in India to be ISO - 14001 Certified. It received the Award for Best-Integrated Steel Plant in 1994-95. The Company also received the Prime Minister's Trophy for the Best Integrated Steel Plant for the year 1994-95. This award was subsequently conferred again in 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-01.

Decade X - (1997 - 2007) Tata Steel completes 100 Years of service to the Nation

World Steel Dynamics recognised Tata Steel as India's only 'world-class steel makers' thrice in a row. It started Cold Rolling Mill Complex in 2000. The Final Phase of Modernisation was to bring about productivity enhancement through the expansion of the Hot Strip Mill from one million tonnes per annum to a two million capacity. Tata Steel launched the 'Green Millennium' wherein 1.5 million trees were planted by the company across all its locations. 75 years of industrial harmony was celebrated on 2004 with His Excellency, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India who visited Tata Steel. It signed MoU's with the Sate Governments for its Green field Projects in Kalinganagar (Orissa) in 2004 and in Bastar District (Chhattisgarh). Tata Steel Limited signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of Jharkhand not only for the Greenfield Project but also the enhancement of capacity of Jamshedpur Works. The current capacity of Works in Jamshedpur is 5 MT.

Tata Steel's first step in the Global Market was when it acquired the steel business of NatSteel Limited, Singapore. It also signed a joint venture BlueScope Steel Limited, Australia in 2005, for setting up a metallic coating and painting unit. To boost the economy of South Africa and also add significantly to the Indian economy, Tata Steel commenced the work on Ferro Chrome Plant in 2006. On 2nd April '07, Tata Steel acquired Corus Europe's second largest steel producer at US$ 12 Billion, which made Tata Steel the sixth largest steel producer globally and the second-most geographically diversified steel producer in the world. It also entered into an agreement to acquire controlling equity stake in two rolling mills located in Haiphorg, Vietnam. Plant in Vietnam in 2007. It signed MoU & MoC for an investment in a 4.5 million tonnes per annum plant in Vietnam. This event was followed by the Socialist republic of Vietnam, Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to Jamshedpur.