Kobe Steel Ltd and Europe’s Lucchini Group have concluded two technology transfers for specialty steel wire rod and bar used in automotive applications. UHS 1900 production technology has also been furnished to Republic Engineered Products LLC, North America’s largest supplier of special bar quality steel. REP began production in 1999, and UHS 1900 is now widely used by Japanese transplants in North America. In addition, Ascometal has transferred to Kobe its technology for low-distortion gear steel. Kobe has begun supplying a Japanese manufacturer in Japan with samples to gain its approval. These technology exchanges will enable the two companies to better meet the parts procurement needs of European and Japanese automobile manufacturers in Europe and Japan.
