Hitachi Cable to Raise Rolled Copper Output by 4% in 2H F2010

Hitachi Cable announced on Wednesday the firm plans to increase the rolled copper production by 4% to monthly 6,060 tonnes in second half of fiscal 2010 ending March 2011 from same period of fiscal 2009. The firm expects the copper tube production is same level as the first half after air conditioner makers build the inventory. The firm anticipates the copper strip production could decrease from the first half when the demand is uncertain for semiconductor and electronics parts.

The firm plans to increase the rolled copper production by 8% to monthly 6,100 tonnes in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009, which is almost same level as 6,150 tonnes of original plan in May. The revised plan in the second half is less than 6,250 tonnes as of May.

The firm now plans to increase the copper tube production by 23% to monthly 1,600 tonnes in the second half of fiscal 2010 from same period of fiscal 2009. The firm expects the production keeps firm as the first half when the users of air conditioner makers’ copper tube purchase volume is same level in October-December as July-September while the volume usually decreases.

The firm plans to reduce the copper strip production by 4% to monthly 3,300 tonnes in the second half of fiscal 2010 from same period of fiscal 2009. The revised plan is more than 10% lower than original 3,700 tonnes when the demand is in adjustment phase for semiconductor and electronics parts.

The firm’s rolled copper production was monthly 6,150 tonnes in the first half, which was 13% lower than same period of fiscal 2009. The volume was higher than original plan of 6,050 tonnes while the figure was lower than first half of fiscal 2008. The copper strip production increased by 17% to 3,450 tonnes while the copper tube production increased by 3% to 1,650 tonnes.