Kyoei Steel Keeps No.1 Rebar Output Share in Japan in F2005

Japanese concrete reinforcing steel bar production increased by 2% to 11.4 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 ended March 2006 from fiscal 2004. Kyoei Steel, Japanese major rebar maker, kept the largest production share at 1.28 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 since the beginning of 1990s. The production was larger by 400,000 tonnes than no.2 maker, Daiwa Steel in fiscal 2005, while the output difference was 310,000 tonnes in fiscal 2004. No.3 maker was Godo Steel which ranked up from no.5. Ito Seitetsujo kept no.4 share in fiscal 2004 and 2005. Kishiwada Steel descended from no.3 to no.5.Rebar makers around Tokyo area could post favorable output in fiscal 2005. Mitsuboshi Metal Industry kept no.6 output share and Asahi Industries no.7, while Tokyo Tekko gained no.8 share in fiscal 2005 from no.11 in fiscal 2004. Tokyo Tekko increased the sales of screw-in reinforcing bar called “Neji-Tetsukon” and joint thanks to the firm construction demand for super high-rise condominiums around Tokyo. Jonan Seikojo also upped its output share order to no.9 in fiscal 2005 from no.10 in fiscal 2004.Daiwa Steel, JFE Bars & Shapes, Tohoku Steel and Toyohira Steel, rebar makers which belong to JFE Steel group, represented 15.3% output share in fiscal 2005. Rebar production decreased by about 45,000 tonnes at Daiwa Steel in fiscal 2005 from a year ago, while JFE Bars & Shapes expanded the output. Kyoei Steel group held the share at 14.5% including Kanto Steel.Japanese rebar production is expected to increase to around 12 million tonnes in fiscal 2006. Each maker would exceed their output result of fiscal 2005. Especially the makers around Tokyo area are expected to increase their output firmly with the active demand. Electric furnace steel makers around Tokyo might expand rebar output share in fiscal 2006.