Japanese Fastener Makers Forecast Y/Y Profit Down for F2011

Japanese listed fastener makers mostly forecasts year-on-year profit down for a full financial year of 2011. The main factor is the order shrinkage during April-June when car and electric appliance makers, the consumers of fastening products, were forced output suspension after Japan Earthquake. Among the major five fastener makers, four companies forecast year-on-year lower net profits for a full financial year of 2011.

Fastener makers’ production and shipment were largely impacted by the users’ low operation after the earthquake. At the same time, raw material cost upsurge is worsening fastener makers’ profitability.

Topura, whose main customer is car industry, posted 8.9% year-on-year lower net sales with recurring loss at 47 million yen for April-June 2011. The company aims year-on-year higher net sales for a full financial year ending in March 2012 and plus turning of operating profit and recurring profit.

Yamashina Corporation posted 13% year-on-year lower net sales and 75% year-on-year lower recurring profit for April-June since the company’s sales rely largely on car industry. The company forecasts year-on-year profit down even for a full fiscal year ending in March 2012.

Nitto Seiko posted 15% year-on-year lower net sales with 50% year-on-year lower recurring profit for the first half year of 2011. Meanwhile, Japan Power Fastening improved its operating profit largely and the recurring profit turned to the black for January-June 2011 against the corresponding period of 2010 since the sales for construction market recovered.

Amatei posted 8.4% year-on-year lower net sales with net loss at 6 million yen for April-June 2011. Many construction projects were delayed or canceled after the mega earthquake while higher raw material cost impacted the profitability.