Sumitomo Metals to Increase Railway Wheel, Crankshaft Output

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ Osaka steel works increases railway wheel output to 180,000 units for fiscal 2011 ending March 2012 from 170,000 units in fiscal 2010, general manager of the works Machi Nakata said.

The works tries to increase crankshaft output in 2011 at 4 operations in Japan, USA, China and India from 6.73 million units in 2010. The operation rate of 4 plants is at around 70% of 9.3 million units of annual output capacity. However, Mr. Nakata said the works tries to meet growing automobile demand by developing lighter, stronger and low priced product with car makers.

Sumitomo Metals acquires US major railway wheel maker, Standard Steel. Sumitomo Metals provides technology and knowhow including rotary forging press facilities and clean steel technology to the US firm to meet growing high speed railway wheel demand in one of the world largest market of North America.