Sanyo Special Steel’s president Nobuyoshi Fujiwara said to a reporter of Japan Metal Bulletin the firm tries to secure 30% of export rate in volume in mid-term for despite of current historical high yen rate. The firm tries to follow growing offshore demand while the firm keeps the major production base in Himeji, Japan to supply high performance products.
The firm targeted to increase the export rate to 30% in fiscal 2013 ending March 2014 from current 15% under 3-year plan through fiscal 2013. The firm supplies the products to world market from Japan by utilizing processing bases in China, Indonesia and Thailand. The firm launched 5,000 tonnes forging press machine in November. Mr. Fujiwara said with the press machine, the firm can provide large bearing for wind power generation. He said the firm develops new applications through the wider size variation and better quality based on the 3 press machines including existing 1,500 tonnes and 3,000 tonnes press machines. He said the firm improves the productivity by adding new continuous caster by June 2012. Mr. Fujiwara said the firm plans 30 billion yen of capital expenditure mainly for energy saving and cost reduction. He said the firm clears bottleneck to realize monthly 100,000 tonnes of sales volume along with more efficient production. Mr. Fujiwara said the firm launches electric furnace special steel making joint venture with Mitsui & Co. and Indian special steel maker of Mahindra Ugine Steel. He said Sanyo Special Steel has certain share in the joint venture and provides basic technology to make special steel for better operation in order to follow growing demand in India. He emphasized Sanyo Special Steel keeps exporting from Japan for high grade products while the firm makes commodity grade products in India.
