Sumitomo Light Metal Focuses on Thinner Products

Sumitomo Light Metal Industries launched mid-term plan through 2010 to improve the competitiveness and financial structure. The president Kazuhiko Masuda said the firm tries to focus on thinner products including materials for condenser and fin under the plan. Mr. Masuda said the firm tries to seek higher quality by utilizing the resources while the firm could expand the Czech plant to meet strong local demand. He said the firm also tries to reduce the debt for better financial position despite of capital expenditure. Mr. Masuda said the higher raw materials could increase the production cost by annual 4-5 billion yen. He said the firm tries to increase the selling price to cover part of higher cost when the firm cannot absorb the all of the burden. Mr. Masuda said the business condition will improve the second half of the year compared with the first half. He estimates the extrusion sales could decrease by 3-4% for the full year from previous year after 7-8% drop for the first half while the flat products decreases slightly with higher export.