Maruichi Steel Tube Increases ERW Share in Fiscal 2008

Maruichi Steel Tube, the largest electric resistance welded steel tube maker in Japan, increased its production share by 1.5 percentage points to 18.6% in fiscal 2008 ended March 2009 from fiscal 2007 while the output decreased by 8.0%. Other 6 major ERW tube makers in Japan showed 2-digit production decline. Japanese ERW tube output decreased by 15.5% to 3.13 million tonnes.

JFE Steel decreased ERW steel tube production share by 0.4 points to 12.0% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007 while the output declined by 18.6%. Nippon Steel increased the share by 0.1 point to 11.5%. However, the output decreased by 14.8%. Nippon Steel & Sumikin Metal Products reduced the share by 0.2 points to 9.5% and its output decreased by 17.9% when square tube demand plunged in fiscal 2008.

Sumitomo Pipe & Tube reduced the production share by 0.7 points to 8.9% and its output decreased by 21.3% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. Nittetsu Steel Pipe reduced the share by 1.0 point to 6.5% while the output declined by 27.3%. Many of these 2 makers’ products are used in automobile. JFE Welded Pipe Manufacturing increased the share by 1.1 point to 4.2% and its output increased by 13.7%. However, the firm significantly decreased the output in fiscal 2007 due to the revision of building acts.