Sumitomo Metals to Expand Electrical Steel Processing in Thailand

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ Thai electrical steel processing force, Thai Sumilox expands the press processing capacity by 30% by December to improve the service and the value added operation. The firm with three 300 tonnes press machines adds 300 tonnes press to expand the supply ability of motor core for transplants of Japanese compressor makers. Sumitomo Metals established Thai Sumilox as joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation and local company in 1990 to serve users in Southeast Asia. China Steel Corporation’s subsidiary, China Steel Global Trading joined the JV in 2007 as a part of partnership with Sumitomo Metals. The service center JV provides monthly 400 tonnes slitting processing service through the 2 slitters, which can process sheet with 0.2-1.6 millimeters thick and 300-1,600 mm width, while the JV processes 600-700 tonnes of parts or semi-parts through the pressing machines with 200 or 300 tonnes of power. The JV expanded the plant building and added a 300 tonnes press machine in 2006 to meet growing demand in Southeast Asia. The firm decided additional expansion to meet growing users’ request. The JV will have four 300 tonnes press machines, a 200 tonnes press machine and two 80 tonnes press machines expanding the processing capacity by 30% to monthly 900 tonnes. The firm already started fabrication of motor core and eyes additional value added operation.