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Nippon Steel Provides Update on Status of Operations

04/01/2011 - Nippon Steel provides an update on the status of operations as of March 31, 2011.

Nippon Steel provided this week an update on the status of operations as of March 31, 2011.

Regarding the whereabouts of missing employees and their families, the company said that it has ascertained that, “many of the employees and their families of Nippon Steel, group members  
Nippon Steel continues to extend its heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all the people in any way afflicted by the recent earthquake in the Tohoku-Kanto areas, expressing the hope that “they will be able to regain strength and normal life from the earliest possible recovery of the region.”
and affiliates have lost their lives in the disaster.”

The company noted that there are quite a few who are still missing, and that it is continuing its search efforts.

At Kamaishi Works, the company said that although production has been suspended at some parts of the compound that were flooded by the tsunami, efforts continue toward restarting the production and shipment of wire-rod. In the interim, the company said that it may continue to work off finished-products inventories and the rolling of billet stock for shipment.

Also at Kamaishi, the power plant (IPP) is now in the process of restoration, and the company continues its on-site survey of the damaged port facilities, with a view to rebuilding them.

To compensate for Kamaishi’s production outages during the interim, the company is manufacturing Kamaishi orders at its other steelworks and group-member companies so that it can make deliveries and ensure supply to its customers.

At the company’s Kimitsu Works, the ironmaking and steelmaking processes have resumed operations, now reaching levels of production comparable to before the earthquake.

With the acute power shortages throughout the whole Kanto area, the Kimitsu Works is operating its Kimitsu Cooperative Thermal Power Company Inc. generating station at full capacity to facilitate a maximum supply of electricity to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Established in 1967 jointly by Nippon Steel and TEPCO, the station generates electricity using by-product gases from the ironmaking process which is then supplied to the two companies.

Because of the general power shortage, a portion of the Kimitsu Works’ rolling and finishing processes are being operated in power savings mode.

Regarding deliveries to the quake-stricken area, the company said all of its steelworks except for Kamaishi can deliver products with no problems. However, it might be quite a while before reconstruction of the unloading ports in the Tohoku area can be completed. The company says it is monitoring the progress of recovery in the region and also the resumption of production by customers, and would, if necessary take alternative routes and conveyances as necessary to re-start deliveries to them gradually. The company also said it is prepared to discuss locational changes for any customers who wish to shift their manufacturing operation from one plant to another.

The company also noted that it has already begun its maximum response to alliance partner Sumitomo Metal Industries’ request for support.

Nippon Steel and its group companies say they are committed to direct energy to repairing the damage to facilities and infrastructure, and are fully aware of their responsibility to supply steel products needed for rebuilding the stricken areas and customers’ resumption of production. The company also indicted its wish to contribute, in its own way, to the reconstruction of the whole nation.