Hanwa to Expand Thai Steel Service Center

Hanwa Co.’s coil center, Hanwa Steel Service (Thailand) will invest 1.35 billion yen for the second phase expansion. The firm starts expansion work in September to commission the new capacity with a large slitter, a large leveler and 2 shearing machines in June 2008. The firm tries to meet growing demand through the expansion. The firm targets monthly 8,000 tonnes of monthly processing volume in 2011, which is 45% higher than current level, and 10,000 tonnes in longer term. The Thai center started the operation in July 2005 to serve transplants of Japanese office automation machine and appliances makers. The firm has plant with a large slitter, 2 small levelers and 2 shearing machines. The firm increased the operation to monthly 5,500 tonnes level with 2 shifts from 3,500 tonnes with a shift operation. The second phase will expand the products mix to thinner products along with capacity increase. The new large slitter can process products with 0.2-1.6 millimeters thick compared with current 0.3-4.5 mm. The firm will operate at monthly 8,500-9,000 tonnes with a shift basis after the expansion.