Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) to Expand Wire Process Capacity at Thai Plant

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ subsidiary, Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) increase the production capacity of its cold heading wire and cold finished steel bar manufacturing subsidiary, Steel Processing (Thailand). The processing plant expands the capacity of pickling, heat treatment and wire drawing by end of 2011 for around 800 million yen. The firm plans to meet growing demand in Southeast Asia.

The automobile output is increasing in Thailand and Japanese automobile makers plan to increase the capacity in Thailand while Nissan Motor shifted the main production base of its compact car, March from Japan to Thailand even for Japanese market. Other automakers than Japan are increasing the output in Thailand. Thai automobile output would mark 1.6 million units, according to industry source.

Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) increases the capacity of Steel Processing ahead of schedule. The firm aims to increase the shipment to Southeast Asian countries other than Thailand for growth in Asian market.