May 16, 2012
Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
Construction of a Second Friction Materials Plant in Thailand
- Meeting the automotive industry's increasing demand by doubling production capacity in Thailand -
Japan Brake (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Ayutthaya, Thailand; hereinafter referred to as "JBT"), a Thai subsidiary of Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuyuki Tanaka; Capital: 15.5 billion yen; hereinafter referred to as "Hitachi Chemical") decided to build a second friction materials plant in Thailand. Production capacity will be doubled in order to respond to the increasing automotive industry's domestic demand. It is expected that the new plant will start operations in February 2013.
The automotive industry in Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid growth with Thailand being a major contributor. In Thailand, Hitachi Chemical Group includes JBT, which manufactures friction materials, and other group companies that produce powder metal products, plastic interior/exterior automotive parts and lead-acid batteries. Recently, the demand for friction materials in Thailand has been continually increasing. However, as its current site is not large enough to expand production, JBT has decided to build a second plant in Gateway City Industrial Estate. The new plant will produce friction materials, including disk brake pad, brake assembly and shoe assembly, aiming at increasing sales. Another objective of the new plant is to ensure steady product supply through manufacturing location decentralization.
With friction materials manufacturing bases not only in Thailand, but also in Japan, China, Mexico, and India (to start operation soon), the Hitachi Chemical Group has the capacity to meet the demand and supply its clients globally, and will strive to improve service to further increase customer satisfaction.
< Outline of Japan Brake (Thailand) Co., Ltd.>
Company Name: Japan Brake (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Location: Ayutthaya, Thailand
Representative: Hisashi Oguri, President
Description of Business: Manufacturing and marketing of friction materials.
Capital: 110,000 thousands THB
Establishment: May, 2002
Shareholder Structure: 100% owned by Hitachi Chemical Group
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