Sumitomo Metals to Expand Thai Electrical Steel Processing

Sumitomo Metal Industries will expand the electrical steel processing capacity by 50% in Thailand. The affiliate, Thai Sumilox in Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya adds pressing machine to expand processing capacity to make motor core. The firm tries to improve the service for the local users including transplant of Japanese compressor maker. The firm started the expansion to operate in January 2007. Sumitomo Metals established the Thai Sumilox in 1990 as joint venture with Nomura Trading, which transferred the steel trading business to Sumitomo Corporation. Thai Sumilox is steel service center specialized for electrical steel as one of the main base for Sumitomo Metals’ electrical steel export to Southeast Asia. Sumitomo Metals has 40% of the firm with around 40% share by Sumitomo Corp. group and 20% share by local owner. Thai Sumilox provides around 40,000 tonnes per year of slitting service with 2 slitter lines, both of which can process flat steel with 0.2-1.6 millimeters thick and 300-1,300 mm of width. The firm also provides annual 3,600 tonnes of pressing service with two 300 tonnes press machines, a 200 tonnes press machine and two 80 tonnes press machines.