Sanyo Special Steel Keeps Bearing Steel Top Share in F2009

Sanyo Special Steel kept the domestic top output share for bearing steel in fiscal 2009. The production decreased by 14.6 % while the share upped by 2.7 points to 36.9%. The share was higher by more than 20 points than the second maker, Daido Steel. Daido Steel’ s production increased by 25.5% to 114,877 tonnes and the share downed by 1.0 points to 16.7%. Kobe Steel decreased the production by 18.1% to 102,163 tonnes while the share upped by 0.5 points to 14.9%. These 3 makers’ share accounted for 68.5% in domestic bearing steel market.

Japanese bearing steel production totaled 687,413 tonnes in fiscal 2009, minus by 20.9%from fiscal 2008. The production decreased for 2 years in a row when Japanese automobile output decreased by 11.4% to 8.865 million units and motorcycle decreased by 11% to 605,000 sets.

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ output decreased by 23.4% to 58,805 tonnes and the share downed by 0.2 points to 14.9%. Aichi Steel’ s production decreased by 4.6% to 50,820 tonnes while the share upped by 1.3 points to 7.4%. Aichi Steel’ s share position rose to forth in fiscal 2009 from fifth in fiscal 2008. JFE Steel’ s output decreased by 35.9% to 50,820 tonnes and the share lowered by 1.5 points to 6.5%. Nippon Steel’ s share position was flat at seventh. The firm’ s output decreased by 18.9% to 32,487 tonnes and the share downed by 1.5 points to 4.7%.