Competition between Chinese and Japanese steel giants intensifies

Recently, the British "Metal Bulletin" released the production ranking of the world's largest steel companies in 2008, and ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel still ranked first and second. It is worth noting that China's steel giants have suddenly emerged. Baosteel's ranking has risen from fifth to third. China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group, Wuhan Iron and Steel and Jiangsu Shagang Group have all entered the top 10 steel companies in the world.

As a result, the Japanese media expressed concern about the country's steel industry. "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" pointed out that the competition between Chinese and Japanese steel giants in the global market will tend to intensify. Although China's steel industry is also affected by the global financial crisis, the Chinese government has invested heavily to boost domestic demand, which has brought about a recovery in the demand for steel in the Chinese market. The Japanese steel companies have been reducing production significantly since last fall, so the position of Japanese companies in the 2009 ranking of world steel companies will continue to decline. It is understood that Japan's JFE Steel has slipped from No. 3 in 2007 to No. 5 in 2008.

People in my country's steel industry are not surprised that the ranking of China's steel giants has risen. In an interview with this reporter, Mr. Wang of the import and export business department of Sinosteel Xingtai Machinery Roll Co., Ltd. pointed out that it is obvious that this is benefited from my country's steel industry adjustment and revitalization plan. As my country's steel enterprises have stepped up the integration of joint reorganization efforts, large steel groups have become more competitive internationally.

The reporter learned that the plan clearly pointed out that the leading role of Baosteel, Anben, Wuhan Iron and Steel and other large groups should be further played to realize the production, supply and sales of Anben Group, Guangdong Iron and Steel Group, Guangxi Iron and Steel Group, Hebei Iron and Steel Group and Shandong Iron and Steel Group. , Substantial restructuring of the unified management of people, property and property. In addition, it is necessary to promote inter-regional cooperation between Anben Group and Panzhihua Iron and Steel, Northeast Special Steel, Baosteel and Baotou Iron and Steel, Ningbo Iron and Steel, Tianjin Steel Pipe and Tiantie, Tiangang, Tianjin Metallurgical Company, Taiyuan Iron and Steel and iron and steel enterprises in the province and other regions. reorganization within. By 2011, Baosteel Group, Anben Group, and Wuhan Iron and Steel Group will form several super-large iron and steel groups with international competitiveness, such as Baosteel Group, Anben Group, and Wuhan Iron and Steel Group, and several large-scale iron and steel groups of 10 million to 30 million tons.

Benefiting from the restructuring of the steel industry, the cost competitiveness of Chinese steel giants has increased. Mr. Wang pointed out that when negotiating orders with foreign customers, it is obvious that foreign steel companies face more difficulties than Chinese steel companies. At present, the cold-rolled strip market is very sluggish, so many factories and rolling lines are closed. “However, sluggish external demand is very unfavorable for us to export rolls to steel companies. In the past, we all waited for the business to come to the door. Now, we have also started to go out and run orders. " said Mr. Wang.

The person in charge of the Japanese market of Sinosteel Xingtai Machinery Roll Co., Ltd. is even more helpless, because Japanese steel mills generally use rolls produced in their own country, and the requirements are very strict. Technicians come to special inspection.

“This shows that we still have to catch up with Japanese steel companies in technology. ” said the person in charge. “On the basis of becoming bigger, Chinese steel enterprises should further aim at advanced technology and become stronger. ”

Japanese media also reported that in order to meet the challenges of Chinese steel giants, Japanese companies may implement further restructuring. The Japanese government is considering promoting the merger and reorganization of several major Japanese steel companies, promoting them to speed up the development of new technologies and vigorously expand overseas markets.