SWS to Start Al Wiring Harness Production in Autumn 2010

Sumitomo Wiring Systems (SWS), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) to manufacture automotive wiring harnesses and components, will start commercial production of aluminium-conductor wiring harness at Suzuka plant, Mie, Japan in autumn 2010 to supply Japanese major automaker. SWS changed layout of Suzuka plant partially and introduced productive facilities specialized to aluminium wiring harness in June. In future, SWS aims to increase aluminium wiring harness ratio to 20-30% of the total wiring harness production.

Aluminium wiring harness contributes to cars’ weight reduction and fuel efficiency improvement because specific gravity of aluminium is one third of copper. SWS and SEI have cooperatively developed aluminium wiring harness.

New productive facilities for aluminium wiring harness is physically separated from the facilities for copper wiring harness inside Suzuka plant. If copper and aluminium contact, corrosion may emerge. SWS launches test production soon as final inspection before starting commercial operation in autumn 2010.

Fumikiyo Uchioke, SWS’s president, explained to Japan Metal Bulletin there are offers for aluminium wiring harness not only from domestic automakers but from overseas car makers. SWS eyes aluminium wiring harness production at overseas in future to expand the business.