Sato Shoji, Yuasa to Open Crankshaft JV in Thailand

Japanese major steel trading house, Sato Shoji Corporation will establish a crankshaft making joint company in Thailand in partnership with Japanese crankshaft manufacturer, Yuasa Co. The joint plant will start mass production in May 2013 with initial processing capacity at 120,000 crankshafts per year and to supply the products for Kubota Corporation’s tractor engines. The investment will total 1.4 billion yen. The annual sales target is 600 million yen through 2014.

The joint company, Yuasa Sato (Thailand) will be established in May 2012, 60% of shares controlled by Yuasa and held 40% by Sato Shoji. The joint company will sell crankshafts to Kubota Engine (Thailand).

The 3,500-square-meter plant will be constructed on the 16,000-square-meter site in Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong. The capital fund is 140 million bahts (approximately 360 million yen). The joint company plans to engage 14 employees in 2015.

In Thailand and the surrounding ASEAN countries, the local demand is increasing for agricultural machines, construction machines and industrial machines along with the economic growth. Local production of tractor engine is also expected to increase for these machineries. The joint company utilizes Yuasa’s manufacturing technology, Sato Shoji’s material procurement and sales networks.