Japan 3 Major Battery Makers Sustain Profit Level in F2009

Japanese 3 major battery makers kept stable recurring profits for fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010 though there was profit gain from surging lead market price in the previous fiscal year. Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery posted 51% year-to-year higher recurring profit while GS Yuasa Corporation and Furukawa Battery sustained the profit level as high as in fiscal 2008. The 3 makers’ automotive lead battery sales decreased by 15% due to inactive demand for new cars but the profits were supported by repairing batteries.

GS Yuasa Corporation posted 7.4% year-to-year lower recurring profit while marked the record net profit in fiscal 2009. The domestic sales of automotive battery decreased by 15.7% but the operating profit increased by 12.1% to 1.75 billion yen. The profitability has improved.

Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery gained year-to-year higher sales and profits in the plastic products business unit while the sales of automotive battery decreased by 15%. The automotive battery sales especially declined for new cars though which slightly increased for repairing uses.

Furukawa Battery’s lead battery revenue decreased by 17.5% year-to-year, which represents more than 80% in the firm’s total sales. The sales lowered for new cars and industrial uses. However, the firm could sustain the profit level as high as in fiscal 2008.