Sumitomo Corp Enhances Steel Sheet Processing in Malaysia

Sumitomo Corporation introduces a high-end lever machine dedicated to colored steel sheets for flat televisions in Sumiputeh Steel Center, Sumitomo Corp’s coil center in Malaysia where Japanese and South Korean electric appliance makers are increasing productions of .flat televisions. The new line will start operation in June with total investment of 300 million yen. Sumitomo Corp regards Sumiputeh Steel as the most important base for overseas coil processing strategy and meets consumers’ demand by the enhancement of Sumiputeh.

Flat television production is expected to increase in Malaysia along the operation shifts by Japanese and South Korean electric appliance makers. Flat televisions’ back covers are recently changing to colored steel sheets from conventional plastics. Appliance makers request thinner sheets and want to reduce production costs.

Sumitomo Corp developed a large leveler machine in cooperation with equipment makers. The machine can process wide strips with 0.3-1.2 thick. The machine has a special leveler, a conveyer and a magnet pillar. The new lever line is set in the room protected from dusts.

Sumitomo Corp operates 3 coil centers in Malay Peninsul. Sumiputeh was established in 1980 as the first Japanese coil center in Malaysia. The processing capacity is 300,000 tonnes per year, the largest in the country.