CEMENTED CARBIDE TOOLS: HIGHER DEMAND FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

摘要

The Japan Cemented Carbide Tools Manufacturers' Association reports that domestic production of cemented carbide tools rose by 15% to 5,859t in 2014 (Table 1). Growth was mainly due to higher demand for cutting tools in the automotive industry. According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association, Japanese domestic output of vehicles increased by 2% to 9.78M units in 2014, driven by higher production of light passenger vehicles (Table 2). Overseas vehicle production by Japanese manufacturers increased by 5% to 12.98M units in January to September 2014 (Table 3). Output of large vehicles consuming large volumes of cemented carbide tools during manufacturing was especially strong.