Maruichi Steel Tube Gains Welded Pipe Production Share in F2009

Japanese largest welded steel pipe maker, Maruichi Steel Tube kept the top share in fiscal 2009 ended March 2010 as fiscal 2008 when the share increased 0.4 percentage points to 19.7% despite of 20.2% lower production. The national production decreased by 22.4% to 2.43 million tonnes due to slow demand for automobile and construction.

The second largest maker of JFE Steel reduced the production share by 2.1 points to 9.9% in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 due to 35.6% lower production. The number 3 maker of Nippon Steel decreased the share by 1.6 points to 9.9% due to 33.1% lower production. The number 4 maker of Nippon Steel & Sumikin Metal Products reduced the share by 0.1 point to 9.3% due to 23.2% lower production.

Sumitomo Pipe & Tube increased the production share by 0.1 point in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 despite of 21.6% lower production. Nittetsu Steel Pipe’s share increased by 1 point despite of 10.8% lower production.