Kitz Metal Works to Increase Brass Bar Production 3,500 tonnes in July

Japanese major brass bar maker, Kitz Metal Works increases the production by 500 tonnes to 3,500 tonnes per month from July by operating the casting line in Saturday and Sunday. With the additional output, the firm completes the increasing order backlog by the end of the year and to shorten the lead time.

The firm kept the high level production at 3,000 tonnes per month since the parent company, Kitz Corporation closed the other brass bar manufacturing subsidiary in September 2009. Kitz Metal Works cannot meet the recovering demand for automobile and appliances even at full capacity operation. The order backlog increases and the lead time is extended by several weeks from normal one month.

Kitz Metal Works increased the workforce of the plant by around 10% in the beginning of 2010 to increase the production without the capital expenditure. The firm increased the shift at the casting line to operate 24 hours even weekend while the firm operates now 24 hours only in weekdays. The firm also improved the production efficiency in downstream operation. The production volume would increase by around 20% from the current level with current facilities.

The firm plans to make 3,200-3,300 tonnes in June increasing the volume to full capacity of 3,500 tonnes in July. The firm plans to shorten the lead time to the normal level.