According to the production result of January to December 2014 that was summarized by The Japan Rubber Hose Manufacturer’s Association, production volume (volume of new rubber) was 35,599 t, which was 0.8 % increase compared to the previous year, and shipping amount was 137,805,000,000 yen, and it was an increase by 0.9%. Products for automotive use were not great shakes, but high pressure products for construction machines, machine tools, etc. have been expanded, and that maintained increases in both production volume and shipping amount in comparison with the previous year.
Domestic demands for construction machines were decreased rapidly in the second half of the financial year due to the reactionary fall from the demands for old model machines accompanied with the end of production delay period of emission control of main hydraulic excavator, and it was also estimated to be less than the previous year for the first time in the last 5 years. But the demands for overseas were shifted favorably mainly for the big three export regions of North America, Europe and Asia, and it was expected to increase for the first time in the last 3 years. That made an estimation of the total for construction machines in 2014 to be 2% increase compared to the previous year. Demands for machine tools were expanded due to the activation of investments for facilities by companies.
However, demands for both construction machines and production volume of automotive have been estimated to be reduced, and future trend has been concerned.
Looking at type by type, production volume for high pressure hose was 4,403 t, which was 12.0% increase in comparison with the previous year. And it was 17,355,000,000 yen in money, which was 13.3% increase, and both were increased by 2 digits.
In addition to the fact that total amount of both domestic and overseas demands for construction machines was above the result of the previous year for 17 months in a row, it is reflecting the fact that the total amount of received orders for tool machines was also above the result of the previous year for 15 months in a row.
For automotive use, production volume was 23,605t, which was 2.8% less than the previous year, and the amount of money was 100,403,000,000 yen, which was 2.4% less than the previous year. Productions of 4 wheel cars were maintained as remaining orders even after the increase of consumption tax in April, but it was below the result of the previous year for 6 months in a row after July, that made demands also for hose less below the one in the previous year.
Production volume of other usages was 7,591t, which is 7.0% more than the previous year, and the amount in money was 20,046,000,000 yen, which was 10.9% more than the previous year.
Production volume of December only was 2,904t, which was 0.4% less than the same term of the previous year. And shipping amount in money was 11,450,000,000 yen, which was 1.1% more than the previous year.
Looking at type by type, production volume of high pressure hoses was 333t, which was 3.5% less than the previous year with the fact that domestic demand for construction machines was decreased after 2 months, but shipping amount was 1,442,000,000 yen, which was 5.8% more than the previous year.
For hoses for automotive uses, on the other hand, production volume was 1,929t, which was 0.4% less than the previous year, and shipping amount in money was 8,295,000,000 yen, which was 1.4% less than the previous year by the influence of decreased production volume of 4 wheel cars.
Production volume for hoses for other usages was 642t, which was 0.9% more, and shipping amount in money was 1,713,000,000 yen, which was 10.9% more than the previous year.