A further joint venture was entered into with Tamsa, in Mexico, and a controlling stake was purchased in Sidor (the leading steelmaker in Venezuela) in 1998, Confab (Brazil), in 1999, and in NKK (Japan), in 2000, making it the first Japanese steel company in foreign majority ownership.
Companies owned by the Techint group through Tenaris include: Siderca and Siat (Argentina), Confab (Brazil), Tamsa (Mexico), Algoma (Canada), Dalmine (Italy), Silcotub (Romania) and has production facilities in the US and a joint venture with NKK (Japan), holding 51% of NKK shares since 1999, making it the first Japanese steel company in foreign majority ownership.