Hitachi Cable to Increase Rolled Copper Output in 2H

Hitachi Cable announced on Thursday the firm increases the rolled copper output by 4% to monthly 8,370 tonnes in October-March period from same period of previous year. The firm increases the copper strip output by 4% to 4,480 tonnes while the firm increases the copper tube output by 8% to 2,520 tonnes for and reduces the rolled copper and processed copper products for electronics by 1% to 1,370 tonnes. The copper strip output was monthly 3,679 tonnes in April-September, which was lower than original plan of 4,200 tonnes due to adjustment of semiconductor industry. However, the firm expects the demand recovers in the second half of fiscal 2007 ending March 2008 when semiconductor demand started to recover since July. With better demand, the firm expects the output increases by 22% from the first half year lifting the average output to more than 4,000 tonnes per month for the full year. The firm expects the copper tube output keeps high level in the second half year when the demand is firm for large freezing machine and electric hot water supply machine while the demand is slow for air conditioner. The firm expects the rolled copper and processed copper output in the second half year is in line with the same period of previous year.