Confidence is returning to the South Australian city of Whyalla after months of uncertainty caused by its largest employer going into voluntary administration.
British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta today toured Arrium's steelworks and met workers after Liberty House, which is part of London-based GFG Alliance, was announced as the winning bidder of the business.
Arrium maintenance planner Cat Larsen said the sale gave people enough certainty to make plans about their future and meant there would be jobs for future generations.
"I think it is great. Great for the community, great for family, great for the organisation, great for the town," Ms Larsen said.
"People have a lot more confidence in the organisation, in the company, in the town. Everyone has just been elated with the news.
"We can just grow and look to the future now and not just sit in the stalemate position, which we have in the last 18 months."
Maintenance leader Roger Biebenweg said after meeting Mr Gupta he was hopeful about the future.
He described the new boss as "very pleasant, a nice fellow, very down to Earth, very easy to get on with".
"The mood has changed quiet dramatically [since the news about the sale].
"Once we heard the news coming through that it had been sold the morale lifted very, very rapidly. You could feel the buzz."
