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Manufacturing

300 furloughed British Steel workers return as 'increased confidence' underlined by boss

New CEO Ron Deelen said the move was made as the business 'adjusted to the difficult market conditions'

British Steel's Skinningrove site.(Image: Steve Morgan)

Three hundred British Steel workers have returned to the business after a three week pause.

The company’s special profiles business in Skinningrove was put on hold, with staff furloughed as the recently acquired giant’s got to grips with the situation.

But the North East site of the Scunthorpe headquartered business is today back up and running.

British Steel chief executive, Ron Deelen, said: “Coronavirus continues to have a significant impact on people and businesses across the world and here, at British Steel, we’re committed to protecting our people, customers, suppliers and communities throughout and beyond this pandemic.

“To safeguard the health and wellbeing of our employees, and any other visitors to our sites, we continue to adhere to guidance from the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Government and Public Health England. I’m proud, but not surprised, to say our people have embraced the many new measures we’ve put in place which has enabled us to maintain safe operations and keep supplying our customers with the products they require.

Ron Deelen, in the foreground, at the official takeover ceremony at British Steel, with Jingye Group chief executive Huiming Li addressing stakeholders in the Scunthorpe headquarters' conference centre.(Image: Submitted Picture)

“Three weeks ago we paused production at our Special Profiles business in Skinningrove – furloughing around 300 employees as we adjusted to the difficult market conditions. While the market remains challenging, we now have increased confidence in our ability to navigate our way through this situation and produce the requisite volumes of Special Profiles. I’m therefore pleased to confirm these employees are returning to work and production will resume at Skinningrove. A small number of employees who were furloughed at our Lisburn (Northern Ireland) service centre will also shortly return to work on a phased basis.”

Construction and automotive industries, many initially halted, have returned, with British Steel feeding both, and many other sectors.

The business was bought by Jingye Group on the day the outbreak hit the global stock markets, having agreed a deal in November.