Kanto Steel to Hike Rebar by 3,000 yen/t

Kanto Steel, Japanese major thin rebar maker around Tokyo, will increase the selling price of concrete reinforcing steel bar by 3,000 yen or 4.6% to 68,000 yen per tonne for base size with 19 millimeters diameter for April order from March order. The firm respond higher price of ferrous scrap. The firm will more raise by 2,000 yen per tonne within April, which launch out selling stance to aim the selling price at 70,000 yen per tonne. The firm’s ferrous scrap purchase price increased by above 10,000 yen per tonne in the past year. Meanwhile, the firm’s rebar selling price keeps low at around 60,000 yen per tonne for shipment. Keiichi Katsube president said that his firm could not live if his firm wouldn’t pass the higher cost price for ferrous scrap on the selling price. The firm thinks to increase the selling price to 70,000 yen since 1979-1980. The firm produces the rebar at 30,000 tonnes per month with 10-16 millimeters diameter. However, the firm is decreasing the output due to higher ferrous scrap price. The firm reduced one charge of electric furnace per day from the middle of March, which reduced 2 charges from March 19, and which expanded the output reduction. The firm will decrease the output by 7% in March from the plan, by 10% in April. Other makers around Tokyo are reducing their output.