Nippon Steel Group Expands Wire Rod Share in F2005

Japanese carbon steel wire rod output decreased by 3.2% to 1 million tonnes without bar in coil products in fiscal 2005 ended March 2006 from fiscal 2004. The top maker of Nippon Steel increased the output by around 90,000 tonnes expanding the share while Godo Steel reduced the output by near 70,000 tonnes descending the no.2 position to no. 3. NS Bar and Wire, which is a joint venture of Nippon Steel and Nakayama Steel Works, was no.2 maker with the higher output and share. JFE Bars & Shapes descended from no.4 position to no.6 while Kobe Steel ascended to no.4 and Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) was no.5. Tokyo Steel Manufacturing stayed at no.7. Nippon Steel’s share was 34% in fiscal 2005 with the 9.8% higher output from fiscal 2004. NS Bar and Wire was 21.7% share with 0.9% higher output. Godo Steel’s share was 17.7% with 6% lower output. The share of top 3 firms increased by 5 percentage points to 73.4% from 68.7% in fiscal 2004. The no.4 of Kobe Steel increased the output by around 1,500 tonnes and no.5 of Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) increased the output by 15,000 tonnes expanding the share in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004. The no.6 of JFE Bars & Shapes reduced the output by near 50,000 tonnes decreasing the share by more than 4 points. The no.7 of Tokyo Steel reduced the output by around 20,000 tonnes decreasing the share by 1.8 points. Domestic integrated steel makers increased the output in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004 while electric furnace steel makers reduced the output.