SMI Amtek Crankshaft Pvt. Ltd., a joint-venture company owned by Sumitomo Metal Industries, Sumitomo Corp. and Amtek Auto Limited, will install a second forging press line to respond to growing demand for crankshafts in India. Located in Dharuhera, an industrial development in north-central India, SMI Amtek started up in April 2010 with a 4,000-metric-ton press line (the No. 1 forging line). The new 5,000-metric-ton forging line will allow SMI Amtek to expand its annual production capacity from 800,000 to 2.2 million units. The $22 million project will introduce Sumitomo Metals’ latest crankshaft forging technologies.            

The new forging line, which is scheduled to start operation in November 2012, supports Sumitomo Metals’ goal of achieving more than 10% of the global forged crankshaft business. The company’s worldwide forged crankshaft supply capacity will increase from 9.3 million to 10.7 million units. SMI Amtek’s No. 1 forging line is scheduled to reach full production capacity in the second half of 2012. SMI Amtek also operates heat-treatment and die-sinking equipment.