Kobe Steel, Ltd. plans capital investments of 110 billion yen in fiscal 2006, ending March 31, 2007, up 77% from the estimated 62 billion yen in fiscal 2005.
Most of the investments will be in the Iron & Steel segment and the Aluminum and Copper segment. The projects are focused on remodeling a blast furnace for the stable production of steel products and improving the manufacturing capabilities for "Only One" upper-end products to increase the competitiveness of the company. Other investments will cover labor-savings and necessary repairs and maintenance work.