Nippon Shindo to Start Transferred Factory Operation in July 2010

Nippon Shindo, Osaka based copper alloy manufacturer, will start construction of its new brass bar and wire factory in August 2009 and start operation in July 2010. The firm schedules to transfer its first factory to a new site, both of which are located in Sakai City, Osaka, due to expansion work of expressway. The new factory’s output capacity will be as same as the present first factory. Meanwhile, the new factory will realize higher productivity by introduction of an indirect extrusion press.

The new factory’s construction will start in August and complete at the end of March 2010 on a site of 36,700 square meters. The firm will introduce productive equipment by the end of June and start commercial operation in July.

The present first factory, mainly for downstream operations after copper alloy drawing, will continue production for maximum 6 months after the new factory commences. The first factory is scheduled to end production by the end of December 2010 and the site will be transferred to Hanshin Expressway by March 2011.

The present second factory, mainly for upstream processes of melting, casting and extruding, will continue operation for a while after the first factory closes. The second factory continues to supply intermediate products until the new factory enters full operation.

The new factory will introduce two 1,000kW horizontal continuous casting furnaces and two 450kW vertical casting furnaces, the same facilities as the current factories. Meanwhile, as to an extruding process, the new factory will introduce a 3,000-tonne indirect extrusion press, integrated from current two 200-tonne direct extrusion presses. The 3,000-tonne indirect extrusion press can manufacture long billets and enable higher yield.

Nippon Shindo will invest approximately 12 billion yen for the new factory.