STEELMAKER Corus changed its name to Tata Steel today.

The company, which operates sites at Shotton, near Chester, Port Talbot and Llanwern, said the re-branding will be a gradual process.

Corus joined the Tata Steel family in April, 2007, in a deal that created one of the world’s largest steelmakers, with a major presence in Europe as well as Asia.

Tata Steel, part of the Indian conglomerate that also owns the Jaguar Land Rover group, pioneered the first integrated steelworks in India a century ago.

Kirby Adams, managing director and chief executive of Tata Steel Europe, said: “The companies that comprise Tata Steel Europe have evolved over many decades from local to national to regional players.

“They now form part of one of the world’s top 10 steelmakers, with a wide product range, a relatively high degree of raw materials self-sufficiency, and a global market reach from manufacturing sites across Europe and Asia.”

Mr Adams added: “This is the right time to enter a new era under the Tata Steel name, now that we have successfully returned the company to profit following the global financial crisis. This brand migration will lead to the Tata Steel name becoming much more prominent and widely recognised across Europe, and will reinforce our sense of belonging to the Tata Steel family.”

Tata Steel is listed on India’s Bombay and National stock exchanges.

Uday Chaturvedi, who has represented the UK businesses, has joined the board of Tata Steel Europe.