The three companies of the JFE Steel Group — JFE Steel Corporation, JFE Plant Engineering Co., Ltd., and JFE Logistic Corporation (hereinafter referred to as ’the three companies‘) have recently received an order from Toyotsu Metal Solutions Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture) for an automated crane system as part of their “JFE Resolus^™” solutions business. This marks the first external sales order for this system. It is scheduled for installation at the company’s main plant, where it will transport thin-gauge coils from the base material yard to the processing line.

In the steel and metal logistic sectors, ensuring safety, saving labor required and improving the operational efficiency of coil handling are key challenges. The three companies have developed expertise in crane automation technologies and operational optimization through many years of practical experience operating at steel works and logistics sites. By utilizing these technologies, they have successfully automated 22 cranes and implemented automatic loading onto general-purpose trailers at JFE Logistics warehouses, both on-site and at off-site JFE distribution centers.

We recently received an order for an automated crane system, which forms the core of a warehouse solution by bringing together various technologies and areas of expertise. The system automatically transports and positions coils with high precision by integrating with the processing line. This improves safety, reduces the required workforce, and ensures consistent work quality.

As part of this initiative, the three companies will implement automated crane systems to transport coils, as well as remotely operated semi-automatic cranes and solutions to ensure safety around the warehouse. We will continue to leverage the digital technologies, robotics, and other technologies we have developed for steelmaking, plant engineering, and logistics to provide solutions that improve warehouse efficiency and safety.

【Figure 1】　Overview of warehouse solutions centered on automated crane systems

【Figure 2】 Strengths of the JFE group’s crane systems

【URL】

Crane (JFE Plant Engineering)
https://www.jfe-planteng.co.jp/product/crane/

Logistic solutions (JFE Logistic)
https://www.jfe-logistics.co.jp/by_category/logistics_solutions/

JFE Resolus^™
https://www.jfe-steel.co.jp/products/solution/

About JFE Steel Corporation

JFE Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. Under the corporate vision of “contributing to society with the world’s most innovative technology,” JFE Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products. The company reported consolidated sales of 3,716 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 24.80 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2023.

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