NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION ("NSSMC"), founded through a merger of Nippon Steel Corporation and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. on October 1st, 2012, is the 2nd largest steel-producing company in the world. NSSMC produces various types of steel products and promotes its global strategy by expanding bases in growth markets worldwide. The company has categorized its steelmaking business as three strategic areas: "automobile-related high-grade steel: steel sheets, bars & rods, tubes and crankshafts", "resources and energy sectors: steel plates and pipes & tubes" and "infrastructure: civil engineering & construction and railways". In addition to its steelmaking business, NSSMC group develops businesses in engineering & construction, chemicals, new materials and system solutions.