Japanese 4 Major Al Re-rollers Achieve Y/Y Profit Recovery in 1QF2010

Japanese 4 major aluminium re-rollers improved their sales and profits widely for April-June 2010 compared with the same period of 2009. The makers posted recurring losses in April-June 2009 due to severe demand conditions. In the latest quarter of April-June 2010, demand for rolled aluminium products recovered and each maker’s cost cut efforts contributed to profit improvement. The makers except for Kobe Steel revised up their full-year financial forecasts for fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011.Nippon Light Metal’s net sales increased year-on-year thanks to the demand recovery despite of the sales of Shin Nikkei, the previous subsidiary. The sales increased by more than 40% for alumina & chemical product unit and plate & extrusion unit. The sales jumped by more than 50% for processed product unit and foil & powder unit.

Kobe Steel’s aluminium & copper unit enjoyed demand recovery for aluminium components applied to eco friendly cars, liquid crystal panel and semiconductor manufacturing equipments though the sales volume was low for can materials. Among copper alloy products, the sales were favorable for sheet and strip applied to digital appliances.

Sumitomo Light Metal Industries posted higher profits thanks to demand recovery and cost down effects generated by business reorganization for extrusions and processed products.

Furukawa-Sky Aluminum’s sales decreased for can materials while the sales increased for plate and other rolled products in response to market recovery of semiconductor and automobile. The sales volume increased by more than 30% year-on-year.

Refer to an attached table.