NKK, Kawasaki Steel Hold Joint
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| NKK President Masayuki Hammyo (center) tours Kawasaki Steel Chiba Works. |
With consolidation efforts well under way in preparation for the launch of the new JFE Group in October, NKK and Kawasaki Steel held joint reporting sessions in March at their four steelworks--Keihin, Chiba, Fukuyama and Mizushima. The meetings were attended by NKK President Masayuki Hammyo and Kawasaki Steel President Fumio Sudo, as well as other senior executives and steelworks directors of both companies.
Following introductory presentations on respective steelworks facilities and technologies, attendants discussed operational plans for the current fiscal year, including measures for production cost reductions and equipment optimization. Both companies also introduced their proprietary technologies and products, for which they are either leaders in their field or the sole suppliers. A tour of the No. 3 hot strip mill, where the world's first endless hot strip rolling process has been realized, was a highlight of the session at Kawasaki's Chiba Works.
Engineers of the two companies will continue to exchange mutual technological information and operational know-how, expanding two-way interaction to cover development and production areas so that the synergies of the consolidation may prevail quickly.
Following the establishment of JFE Holdings, Inc. in October, all operations of NKK and Kawasaki Steel will be reorganized by business segment into five companies by April 2003. To achieve a leading competitive edge through the merge of the neighboring steelworks and establish strong ties among employees, NKK's Keihin Works and Kawasaki's Chiba Works will be reorganized to form the East Japan Steelworks, while NKK's Fukuyama Works and Kawasaki's Mizushima Works will become the West Japan Steelworks.
