Japan Steel Works, Buhler to Make Aluminium Die-casting Machine in Japan

Japan Steel Works announced on Thursday the firm agreed with Buhler of Switzerland to launch alloyed aluminium die-casting machine making joint venture. They will establish the joint venture by January 2008 through the partnership for cold chamber die-casting machine making in Japan. They target 5-7 billion yen of business with 15-20% of market share in 3 years. Japan Steel Works established technical center in Hiroshima plant for the new business. The firm imports facilities to sell for domestic users and will start to make the facilities in Japan in 2008. Buhler is die-casting machine maker with more than 60% of market share in Europe and USA. The firm has advanced projects with US and European makers in automobile industry. The firm expects the sales will grow to 22 billion yen for die-casting machine in 2007 from 19 billion yen in 2006. The firm tries to expand the business in Asia through the partnership with Japan Steel Works. Buhler tries to regain the top share position through the partnership after the firm handed the position to Toshiba Machine in 2002.Japan Steel Works will enter the aluminium die-casting machine business. The firm expects the new business could extract the synergy with existing business for injection molding machine for magnesium with large share in Japan.