Shinko Leadmikk to Shut Plating Plant in China

Fukuoka based Shinko Leadmikk, which is Kobe Steel’s semiconductor lead frame making subsidiary, finished the lead frame copper plating process at the wholly owned subsidiary, Wuxi Metal Surface Treatment Technology by end of September. Shinko Leadmikk decided the withdrawal when the business makes loss continuously. Shinko Leadmikk established the Chinese subsidiary in 2004 to serve transplants of semiconductor makers from Japan, Europe, USA, Taiwan and South Korea. However, the subsidiary cannot make money under competition with local makers. Shinko Leadmikk sells the facilities. Kobe Steel and Kyoto based metal plating company, METEK Kitamura established the joint venture, Leadmikk in 1984. Kobe Steel spun off the lead frame unit to combine into Leadmikk in 2002 launching Shinko Leadmikk, which Kobe Steel controls 75%.