Kyoei Steel Group Maintains Rebar Top Share in F2009

Kyoei Steel Group maintained top output share in Japanese concrete reinforcing steel bar market in fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010, though the firm’s share lowered by 0.3 points and the output volume decreased by 17% year-on-year. Including Kanto Steel, Kyoei Steel’s subsidiary, rebar production was above 1.2 million tonnes and the group share reached 14%. The firm is trying to strengthen overseas steel business when domestic rebar demand is expected to maintain weak.

Japanese rebar production totaled 8.39 million tonnes in fiscal 2009, minus by 15% from fiscal 2008 due to low demand for building construction and civil engineering. The volume represented below 9 million tonnes for the first time since fiscal 1971. Rebar makers kept wide-range output reductions while some increased export volume.

Daiwa Steel saved the second share position at 7.4% in fiscal 2009 while the output volume decreased by over 15%. Tokyo Tekko was third and Ito Seitetsujo was forth. Tokyo Tekko’s share downed by 0.3 points while Ito Seitetsujo’ share upped by 0.2 points.

Otani Steel’s output upped to fifth in fiscal 2009 from eighth in previous year. The production kept flat at above 350,000 tonnes. Asahi Industries Group’s share position was sixth followed by Jonan Seikojo. Each company’s production was above 330,000 tonnes. Asahi Industries’ production decreased by around 20% while Jonan Seikojo maintained output volume by increasing export.

The top 10 companies’ share downed by 0.8 points to 52% in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008. Rebar production was relatively high at the makers located around Tokyo or aggressive to increase export. Makers in other areas tended to decreased output volume. Rebar production is forecasted to decrease more in fiscal 2010.