Tata acquired Corus, the largest steel producer in the UK, for $12 billion. This created the world's fifth largest steelmaker and was India's largest foreign acquisition. The deal was controversial due to Corus' larger size and Tata taking on significant debt. However, Tata believed there was a strategic and cultural fit between the companies that could provide synergies. The acquisition process took over a year, with Tata eventually outbidding a Brazilian firm after an auction conducted by the UK Takeover Panel. Following the acquisition, Tata formed an integration committee with representatives from both companies to oversee combining the businesses.