Nippon Steel Hikes H-Beam by 3,000 yen/t

Nippon Steel announced on Tuesday the firm increases H-beam selling price by 3,000 yen per tonne for the dealers for March order. The firm indicates the first price hike in a year is the first attempt for a series of price hikes. The firm also reduces the production to improve the supply balance through production stop of large shape mill at Kimitsu works in early April.

The firm minimizes the order receipt from the dealers for better supply balance. The firm already increased the selling price by 3,000 yen per tonne for projects. The firm tries to improve the profitability for each buyer.

H-beam market price is 72,000-74,000 yen per tonne for base size around Tokyo. The dealers’ shipment is still slow while the dealers’ inventory is still high for the demand. The maker’s price hike could impact on the dealers’ loss making transaction. Nippon Steel expects the move would improve the market condition for each player.