Sanyo Special Steel to Launch New Continuous Caster Spring 2012

Sanyo Special Steel would start operation of new continuous caster at 60 tonnes electric furnace in spring 2012 while the original plan was by March 2013, , announced on Tuesday at press conference for presentation of 3 years medium-term management plan starting April 2011. The firm expends 60 billion yen to improve efficiency and quality in 3 years through fiscal 2010 ending March 2011. The caster is the main part of the investment.

Sanyo Special Steel started the construction of caster in late 2009 a year behind original schedule. The firm originally planned to complete the construction in mid fiscal 2012 to make more value-added products. The firm aims to start 5,000 tonne press machine in autumn 2011. The firm increases the production capacity to meet growing demand in China and India.

Sanyo Special Steel expects the consolidated recurring profit in fiscal 2010is 6.1 billion yen lower than the original target under the 3 year plan. The firm explained the lower profit is due to slow stainless steel demand while bearing steel and alloy steel demand reached the level before Lehman shock.