Toyo to open urethane blade factory in Thailand

Osaka, Japan - Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd has established a new company in Thailand to manufacture and distribute urethane office automation equipment. Toyo Rubber Chemical Products (Thailand) Ltd, based in Wang Noi City, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, will make "urethane rubber" cleaning blades, which are used in office equipments, such as photocopiers.The elastic blade cleans and removes toners that have adhered to the photoreceptor (belt-drum, transfer belt-drum, etc), a key component in office devices such as copiers, fax machines and printers, Toyo said in a 25 Jan news release.The office equipment industry is actively developing its business in South East Asia, and this market has been expanding rapidly, according to the company. It added that Thailand in particular has become a major production base world-wide, second only to China. Some 70 people will be employed at the site by fiscal year 2016, Toyo said, by which time the company aims for sales of Yen 400 million ($5.1 million). The 840 sq.m plant is due to start operation in September 2012. Toyo will invest 65 million Baht ($2.1 million) is to be invested in the plant."