Taiwan Automotive Fastener Sales Increasing

John Wolz

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Editor’s Note: Articles in Media Spotlight are excerpts from publications or broadcasts that show the industry what the public is reading or hearing about fasteners and fastener companies.

Major automotive fastener manufacturers in Taiwan report exports to the U.S. and Europe are growing, according to the Taiwan Economic News.

San Shing Fastech Corp. reported “production lines have been fully booked for three months to fill booming orders for automotive items from foreign customers,” and operating capacity will reach 100% this quarter, according to the China Economic News Service article.

QST International Corp., where automotive fasteners to the U.S. total 70%+ of its specials sales, reported its production lines are booked through November.

San Shing estimated automotive fasteners from Taiwan are 20% to 30% lower than those manufactured in Europe, Japan or the U.S.
“Thanks to strong demands from downstream makers in Europe, San Shing’s export sales to Europe have accounted for 40% of its total revenue, and the ratio is expected to grow to about 50% in the second half,”

“Industry sources pointed out that all major automotive-fastener makers in Taiwan are expected to enjoy significant sales growth in the second half from the first half,” the newspaper wrote. “Some major fastener manufacturers, such as San Shing, have signed material-supply agreements with suppliers in South Korea and Japan, so as to cushion the impact of possible shortage of material supply by Taiwan’s China Steel Corp.” San Shing currently buys about 70% of its material from China Steel.

San Shing predicted steel prices are unlikely to drop in the near future. �2006 FastenerNews.com