Kobe Steel Starts Copper Alloy Strip Alternate Supply Due to Thai Flood

Kobe Steel decided alternate supply of copper alloy strips for the users in Southeast Asia, mainly Japanese electronic device makers, since Kobe Steel’s copper coil slitting subsidiary in Thailand has suspended operation due to the flood. Kobe Steel starts alternate supply from Chofu works in Yamaguchi, Japan and the subsidiary in Suzhou, China. Recommencement of Thai site might take 3-4 months though Kobe Steel will start restoration as soon as floodwater recedes.

Kobe Electronics Material (Thailand), Kobe Steel’s copper coil slitting and copper strip sales subsidiary located in High-Tech Industrial Estate, Ayutthaya, has suspended operation due to the flood. The company has supplied copper and copper alloy strips to Japanese electronic device makers’ sites in Thailand and Southeast Asia at 400-500 tonnes per month.

The site is submerged and damage extent has not been confirmed yet. However, Kobe Steel considers switchboards in the plant and motors of slitting machines require replacement. It is estimated to take a month until floodwater recedes. Repair of equipments will start in or after December.

Kobe Steel started temporary outsourcing to Thai third-party processor to keep the product supply while soon switches to alternate supply from Chofu works and Suzhou Kobe Copper Technology, a subsidiary in China. Kobe Steel will send technical staffs from Chofu works to Thai site when floodwater is removed and accelerate restoration.