Nippon Steel Group Leads Common Steel Wire Rod Output in F2008

Japanese common steel wire rod output decreased by 26.5% to 806,310 tonnes in fiscal 2008 (Apr08-Mar09) from fiscal 2007. On the other hand, Tokyo Steel Manufacturing increased the output by 2.4 times, whose share position upped to the forth from the seventh. The top maker was Nippon Steel, no.2 was Godo Steel and no.3 was NS Bosen. These 3 makers’ positions didn’t change. Nippon Steel’s share downed while Godo Steel and NS Bosen’s share rose. Nippon Steel’s Kimitsu iron works stopped operation of wire rod lines for expansion and the firm shifted the production to group companies, Godo Steel and NS Bosen.

Nippon Steel decreased the output by 34.0% to 301,546 tonnes in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. Godo Steel decreased the output by 21.5% to 173,828 tonnes. Godo Steel raised the position to the second from the third in fiscal 2007. NS Bosen reduced the output by 23.1% to 146,543 tonnes.

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing increased the output by 2.4 times to 46,545 tonnes when the firm reduced the selling price of wire rod by 35,000 yen per tonne for contracts in November 2008.

Sumitomo Metals Kokura decreased the output by 30.3% to 45,892 tonnes. Kobe Steel reduced the output by 27.7% to 42,503 tonnes. JFE Bars & Shapes decreased the output by 42.5% to 42,072 tonnes, whose market position lowered to the seventh from the forth. These 3 makers produces mainly special steel wire rod.