It calls itself a steel maker, but don't be misled by the name.
Japan Steel Works Ltd. is no longer just the old-world metals firm that it started life as more than a century ago. These days, the Tokyo-based company is more a technology play, supplying machinery to the makers of everything from high-end phone screens to lithium-ion batteries. So much so, in fact, that the steel and energy products business makes up less than a quarter of sales.
Now, with Apple Inc. selling its first phone boasting an organic light-emitting diode display — a sharp, vibrant screen that uses less energy — Japan Steel Works is counting on that being good for its own bottom line. While the iPhone X display supplier doesn't use the company's annealing machines, which apply a type of laser treatment to create a key layer of OLED screens, Japan Steel Works says Apple's move will help expand the entire OLED industry.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.