Global Fastener News

January 21, 1997 FIN – The Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute reported 1995 fastener production topped one million metric tons and exports grew 19% to 829,000 metric tons, valued at US $1.42 billion.

For U.S., Canada, Japan and the European community, Taiwan is the leading exporter.

Export to Japan increased from 21,000 metric tons in 1994 to 39,000 metric tons in 1995, taking 4.2% of Taiwan’s exports.

Taiwan has sought to diversify its markets beyond the U.S., according to Taiwan Export Express. That has resulted in the U.S. share dropping from 65% in 1994 to 58.6% in 1995.
Export Express reported TIFI chairman George Hu credits improving quality for rising sales. As of May 1996, 32 Taiwan fastener manufacturers received ISO 9002 certification and added new production lines.
Hu said that due to rising labor costs and labor shortages many manufacturers are turning to automated production lines and foreign laborers.

Taiwan manufacturers also have started investing in plants elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Higher technology fasteners continue to be produced in Taiwan.

• One of Taiwan’s largest fastener manufacturers, Chun Yu Works & Co., first opened a plant, P.T. Moon Lion Industries in Indonesia in 1972.
C.H. Lin, Chun Yu vice president, told Export Express that “some say that Taiwan’s screw industry I a sunset industry because it is labor-intensive, but we do not agree. In fact, screws are omnipresent in people’s daily lives, ranging from cars, trains, airplanes, bridges and communications equipment to computers and electrical appliances.
Chun Yu sells to Volkswagen, Saab and General Electric.

• Tycoons Group Enterprises plans to invest US$153 million in a wire rod and screw plant in Thailand. The plant is designed to produce 30,000 metric tons of screws.
Tycoons president Kenny Wensung Huang said the company recently purchased rotary-type multistroke screw cold forging machines from Europe and a new heat treatment furnace to increase reliability and production and lower energy costs. ©1997/2010 Fastener Industry News

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