Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal to Expand Insert Edge Output by 20%

Hyogo based Sumitomo Electric Industries’ carbide tool maker, Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal announced on Tuesday the firm increases the output capacity of insert cutting edge for metal cutting processing by 20%. The firm expands the capacity from current annual 50 million units to 60 million units at by July 2008 at the Hokkaido plant for around 1.6 billion yen. The firm tries to secure world 10% share in the insert edge market. The firm expands the capacity to make chemical vapor deposition coating and physical vapor deposition coating products by adding state of the art pressing machine, sinter furnace, processing machine and other related facilities. The firm also shortens the lead time by 40% through integration of the process and automation. The firm also expanded the output capacity of the material of carbide powder for 1 billion yen to increase the powder output by around 25% by January 2008. The firm tries to invest the resources into insert edge as one of the strategic item for the global operations.