DOWA Holdings Plans Double Capex in Metal Processing Unit for F2012-2014

DOWA Holdings plans to double capital expenditure in metal processing business unit along its new mid-term management plan for fiscal 2012-2014 starting in April 2012. The capex had been approximately 5 billion yen during fiscal 2009-2011 due to aftermath of Lehman Shock. In next three years, the firm plans to invest 10 billion yen to raise output capacity of strategic products such for energy fields and to enhance overseas operations.

The firm projects to double productive capacity of ceramic circuit materials at Shiojiri plant in Nagano, Japan. The demand is expected to increase as substrates for power modules adopted to trains or inverter circuits for photovoltaic and wind power generation.

DOWA also plans investment in plating business to expand operations in China and Thailand or strengthen plating business of lithium ion battery electrodes. The firm even eyes partial operation transfer from Japan to offshore. As for metal processing business, DOWA tries to increase the sales to automotive industry while the firm tries to enhance offshore operations mainly in Asia.