Tokyo Steel Increases Plate Sales

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing’s steel plate output has increased to 35,000 tonnes in August from 25,000 tonnes monthly shipment in May and June. The firm gets higher order from the dealers and shipbuilders when the firm’s selling price competitive against integrated steel makers’ price.

Tokyo Steel’s plate price is 69,000 yen per tonne for the dealers, which is 15,000 yen lower than the integrated steels’ price. The dealers increase the purchase of the plate for mother material for cut processing. Tokyo Steel stocks the plate at Kyushu plant, Tahara plant and an operation site in Yokohama and the firm sees users recognize the convenience. The firm left the plate price unchanged for August shipment despite of price cut for other items price.

Tokyo Steel studies proposed barter trading from shipbuilders. The firm is positive the new scheme, under which the firm provides steel products to the users in exchange of ferrous scrap supply from the users.

The shipbuilders aim to minimize fluctuation in plate purchasing price. Tokyo Steel expects advantage for increase of the scrap supply source and acquiring new customer. The firm and users study the trading.

Tokyo Steel started plate production at Kyushu plant in January 2007 and the output was 265,803 tonnes in fiscal 2009 ended March 2010.