Kobe Steel, a Japanese steel manufacturer, plans to transform Kobelco Wire Company into a wholly owned subsidiary through a share exchange effective September 1, 2026.

This transaction reintegrates the wire specialist, which originally spun off from the parent company in 1954. As a result of this merger, Kobelco Wire will delist from the Tokyo Stock Exchange on August 28, 2026, ending its status as a public entity, with the last trading date on August 27, 2026.

The parent company intends to use simplified procedures for the deal, bypassing the need for its own shareholder approval. However, Kobelco Wire shareholders must vote on the agreement during the annual meeting in June 2026.

This consolidation aims to centralize group governance and align wire production more closely with Kobe Steel’s machinery and materials divisions. The move brings the long-standing affiliate back under full corporate control.