Furukawa Electric Plans 4% Higher Rolled Copper Output in 1H

Furukawa Electric announced the firm plans to increase the rolled copper output by 4% to 7,350 tonnes per month in April-September 2008 from same period of 2007. The firm increases the flat and strip products output by 14% to meet firm demand while the firm plans lower output for copper tube and bar and wire. The firm plans to increase the electrolytic copper foil output by 10% to monthly 7.6 million square meters at Furukawa Circuit Foil due to firm demand for lithium ion battery. The demand of copper flat and strip products was firm for lead frame of integrated circuit semiconductor and connector in second half of fiscal 2007 through March 2008. The firm kept full capacity operation for the products through the half year. The firm expects the output level increases by more than 10% for April-September from same period of 2007 due to around 6,000 tonnes of order backlog and firm demand for high performance products while the firm sees the demand slows down for semiconductor and connector. The firm plans to reduce the copper tube output by 6% for April-September from same period of 2007. The output was 200 tonnes per month lower in second half of fiscal 2007 compared with the plan as of October 2007 due to slower demand for air conditioner. The firm expects the demand could keep relative lower for first half if fiscal 2008 despite of the peak production season for air conditioner. The firm plans to decrease the copper bar and wire output by 5% to monthly 7,350 tonnes for April-September from same period of 2007 when the building demand keeps slow and higher copper ingot price reduces dealers’ order to makers.