Nippon Light Metal’s Flat Sales to Drop by 0.1% in F2008

Nippon Light Metal expects the flat products sales decrease by 0.1% to 89,600 tonnes in fiscal 2008 ending March 2009 from previous year. The firm expects the subsidiaries’ sales also decrease for the year when the sales drop in the second half year under slower economy after financial crisis.

The flat products sales increased by 3.2% to 45,800 tonnes in the first half year from same period of 2007. The shipment recovered for plate for appliances, electronics and semiconductor and liquid crystal panel making equipment while the sales kept slow for printing plate and construction applications.

The extrusion and processing unit, Nikkeikin Aluminium Core Technology reported the sales increased by 6.6% to 24,300 tonnes in the first half from same period of 2007. The shipment increased for automotive parts, rail car, appliances and electronics. The annual sales decrease by 0.4% to 46,200 tonnes from previous year.

The aluminium alloy unit, Nikkei MC Aluminium’s sales decreased by 2.6% to 140,200 tonnes in the first half from same period of 2007. The domestic sales decreased by 6.3% to 92,800 tonnes due to lower automobile demand and higher import while the export increased by 5.6% to 47,400 tonnes. The annual sales decrease by 6.2% to 279,200 tonnes from previous year. The domestic sales decrease by 10.5% to 180,800 tonnes due to slower automakers’ activity while the export increases by 3.1% to 98,400 tonnes.