Nippon Metal Industry to Seek Growth in Asia

Japanese stainless maker, Nippon Metal Industry tries to expand the business by expanding the original products sales and group synergy along with wider offshore sales network. The president Hiroshi Yoshimura said sales of the original 200 series stainless grade, D series in the world. The firm also improves the cooperation in the group to maximize the synergy. He said the firm tries to expand offshore sales through the expanded sales network in Asia. He indicates wider alliance with Nisshin Steel to utilize the existing capacity.

Mr. Yoshimura said the original nickel saving grade, D series products sales is annual 2,000 tonnes for domestic market and monthly more than 4,000 tonnes for export. He said the sales increase for Southeast Asia when Asian buyers including Japanese transplants prefer the products for the nonmagnetism, high strength and better workability property. He said the firm tries to get certification as Japanese Industrial Standards to expand the 200 series stainless products in the world.

Mr. Yoshimura said the group expands the cooperation between the group companies. The firm expands the manpower exchange with the trading subsidiary, Nikkinko Trading to develop the domestic market while the welded pipe making subsidiary and the stainless processing subsidiary focus on the manufacturing for better cost performance. He said the firm launched offshore business unit to develop offshore market. The firm launched new Taiwanese stainless precision rolling joint venture with Marubeni-Itochu Steel started the operation in January. He said the new joint venture focuses on ultra thin products and spring materials to serve Southeast Asian buyers. He said the firm renews Bangkok office into local company to expand the operation.

Nisshin Steel’s next president Toshinori Miki commented on utilization of steckel mill at Kinuura plant of Nippon Metal Industry. Mr. Yoshimura said the firm is willing to expand the cooperation with Nisshin Steel from current maximum 5,000 tonnes per month of hot rolled coil production for Nisshin Steel when the mill has room to increase the operation rate normally.