Guangzhou You-Ri Automotive Parts Finishes Expansion

Guangzhou You-Ri Automotive Parts (GYA) of China, which is automotive steel pipe making joint venture of Sumitomo Pipe &Tube, Sumitomo Corporation and Nippon Steel, completed double expansion to add new pipe making line, cutting machine and ultrasonic testing machine. The Chinese pipe company tries to follow growing demand for automobile.

The firm expanded the capacity to meet growing demand more while the firm has increased the production under higher production by the main users of transplants of Japanese automakers and more local procurement by the users.

The firm makes welded pipe with maximum 1.5 inches of diameter and 6.5 millimeters thick at the new No.2 pipe making line. With the new line, the output capacity of automotive steel pipe increased from monthly 1,500 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes. The firm can make wide size range with the second line.

The firm added the first ultrasonic testing machine to meet higher demand for critical parts and higher valued pipe. The firm added 4 cutting machines to existing 3 machines.

Sumitomo Pipe & Tube and Sumitomo Corp. established GYA in 2003 to meet growing demand in China when Chinese automobile production increased and Japanese automakers increased the production. Nippon Steel participated in the company in 2004. The plant makes welded carbon steel and stainless steel pipe at the plant on around 20,000 square meters of land. The plant operates at monthly 1,300-1,400 tonnes now while the operation decreased temporarily after Japanese major earthquake and Thai flood in 2011.