Yamato Steel Co. Ltd., a Japanese beam and structural steel producer, contracted SMS group to upgrade its heavy section mill in Himeji by replacing two existing stands with new compact cartridge mill stands (CCS®).

The project involves installing CCS® 1000 and CCS® 500 E units to produce H-beams, I-beams, and U-type sheet piles. These new stands feature hydraulic roll adjustment and a tandem rolling mill control system for real-time process management.

The modernization, scheduled for completion by the summer of 2028, will improve product quality and energy efficiency through higher stand rigidity. SMS will provide engineering, core equipment, and automation, continuing a long-term global partnership with Yamato Kogyo. This upgrade allows Yamato Steel to strengthen its operational capabilities within the Japanese structural steel market.