Kawasaki Kokan Launches New Steel Pipe Item

Kanagawa based small sized welded pipe maker, Kawasaki Kokan of JFE group starts the production of steel pipe with 27.2 millimeters outer diameter and 7 mm of thick at Isehara plant in Kanagawa in second half of fiscal 2006 ending March 2007 as a part of the effort to increase the rate of no.1 and only products to 70% in fiscal 2008 under the 3-year plan. The firm also tries to expand the size variation. The firm tries to increase the no.1 and only products rate from 60% at the end of fiscal 2005 to 70% at the end of fiscal 2008 under the 3-year plan. The firm expects the rate will increase to 62% in fiscal 2006. The firm also tries to improve the financial position by reducing interest bearing debt. The firm, which produces mainly mechanical tube at Isehara and Iwata, Shizuoka plants, has 60 years history since the start in June 1947. Former NKK joined the firm in 1984 and JFE Steel controls the firm since 2003.