Nippon Steel Pipeline Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Metal Pipeline and Piping, Ltd. have agreed to merge on 1 October 2012. Nippon Steel Pipeline is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., while Sumitomo Metal Pipeline is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. Subject to the business integration of Nippon Steel Corporation and Sumitomo Metals, the merger of Nippon Steel Pipeline and Sumitomo Metal Pipeline has been approved by the boards of directors of Sumitomo Metals, Nippon Steel Engineering, Nippon Steel Pipeline and Sumitomo Metal Pipeline. The name of the merged company will be “Nippon Steel & Sumikin Pipeline & Engineering Co. Ltd.”. It is planned to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Steel Engineering.
Through this merger, Nippon Steel Pipeline and Sumitomo Metal Pipeline intend to become one of the top engineering company that focuses on pipeline construction. The merged company will seek to realize synergies quickly and become efficient and competitive by consolidating their respective resources for pipeline and engineering. The objective is to become the best in technology, quality and cost management and thereby contribute to society.