Kanematsu Eyes New Processing Sits in China, Thailand

Japanese major trading firm, Kanematsu Corporation tries to expand offshore steel and automotive parts business. The firm eyes new steel processing joint venture with Chinese company in Liaoning province, China. The firm also studies potential automotive parts plant in Thailand and automotive parts sales base in China. The sheet steel processing center, Kanematsu Hoplee Company aims to increase the sales to automobile industry and local users. Kanematsu Corporation increases the investment in Asia to follow growing demand while higher yen rate reduces export competitiveness for Japanese steel products and automotive parts.

The production of Kanematsu Hoplee is firm at 4,500 tonnes per month. The firm plans to increase the production by sales expansion to local users.

Kanematsu Corporation studies potential automotive parts plant with heat treating process in Thailand through joint venture with the user of parts maker. Kanematsu Corporation also eyes inventory sales site for automotive parts in China as early as in 2011 to improve the just in time delivery service for the users.