Unimac Aims 20% Magnet Wire Market Share in Japan

Unimac Ltd., the joint venture between SWCC Showa Holdings and Fujikura to produce and sell magnet wire, aims 20% share in Japanese domestic magnet wire market within 3-5 years. Unimac currently produces near 2,000 tonnes of magnet wire per month including enameled wire and covered wire, the market share of which is around 15% in Japan. The firm plans to renew old productive facilities at Mie plant in Mie Prefecture, Japan in fiscal 2006 ending March 2007 to establish stable supply system in both volume and quality. After the renewal, the firm could increase the productive lines at the plant to expand the production by 5-8% finally from fiscal 2005.Unimac started the operation in April 2001 as the JV into which SWCC Showa Holdings and Fujikura integrated their magnet wire businesses. SWCC Showa Holdings holds 55% share of the JV and Fujikura 45%. Enameled wire output represents 70% of the total magnet wire production and covered wire 30% in volume at Unimac. The firm holds more than 10% market share for enameled wire and more than 40% for covered wire in Japan. The firm supplies magnet wire for transformers and motors at 45% of its total output and for auto related parts at 25%.