Sumitomo Metal to Boost U.S. Crankshaft Production 48%

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd.'s International Crankshaft venture plans to increase its annual crankshaft capacity in the U.S. to 4 million units from the current 2.7 million units, The Nikkei reports.

ICI, which makes forged crankshafts primarily for passenger vehicles assembled in North America, will begin by modifying an existing line at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, to hike output 10%. Improvements will include installing robots to automate some production operations.

Longer term, the company intends to build a fourth production line in Kentucky that would add another 1 million units of annual capacity, according to The Nikkei.