Sumikin Bussan Expands Capacity of Coil Center in Thailand

Sumikin Bussan, a trading subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Industries, announced on Monday the firm introduces a new steel sheet processing line in SB Coil Center (Thailand), Sumikin Bussan’s wholly owned subsidiary in Thailand, and expands the capacity by 1.8 times to 18,000 tonnes per month. Total investment is about 600 million yen. Japanese automakers and electric appliance makers are increasing local productions in the country. Sumikin Bussan meets increasing demand for processed steel sheet.

SB Coil Center mainly processes carbon steel sheet. The CC maintains full operation since last year. Sumikin Bussan decided to construct a new building near the existing plant. A large-size leveler will start operation in July 2011 and a large-size slitter in January 2012.

SB Coil Center was established by Sumikin Bussan in 2004. The annual revenue is 1.4 billion baht. The CC has a large-size slitter, a large-size leveler, a mini-size leveler and a 800-tonne blanking press with 148 employees.

In Thailand, steel demand is expanding. Automobile output hit record high at 1.65 cars in 2010. Marubeni-Itochu Steel built up its coil center in Thailand. JFE Shoji decided to establish a new coil center. Japanese steel dealers are actively increasing steel sheet processing operations in the country.