A Message from the President

On Establishment of the UACJ Group - A Message to Employees

Today, the establishment of UACJ Corporation brings to the aluminum industry a group of companies we shall refer to from now on as the UACJ Group. In recent months, our former companies worked closely together to create this powerful new organization. Our goal is becoming an aluminum industry leader in a competitive global market.

Chairman Yamauchi explained that the most pressing issue facing UACJ is unity; that is, showing our unity as a single, stronger, more vibrant company. We've created numerous synergies early on by bringing together various divisions and the experience and skills of each employee. These, and those that will form as we progress, will continue to grow and spread throughout all operations and workplaces.

With the merger of the two companies, UACJ now has 37 domestic companies and 27 overseas companies under its umbrella. Add to that some principal investors, and the number of companies surpasses 70; a truly global organization indeed.

But if our merger only achieves the result of adding one plus one to get one with a value of two, UACJ won't prevail in intensely competitive global markets. As I mentioned above, we've carefully calculated the synergies to bolster UACJ operations. Adopting the necessary policies and following a carefully designed plan, we're transforming the equation exponentially. Now one plus one can equal three, or even four! With this scenario, success awaits us, both in Japan and overseas.

As I've repeatedly stated in the past, the key is to "proceed with the restructuring of domestic operations," "aggressively approach growth markets overseas" and "bring new products and technologies to the market." It's important that you keep this in mind when proceeding with work in all areas of business.

Both companies began restructuring their domestic operations prior to the merger, and in order to take full advantage of the synergies created early on, it's important that restructuring measures continue at the same fervent pace. As part of the merger strategy, we are now both exploring new business opportunities and reviewing established businesses, and future development will be tailored to the current conditions of each business.

Among our tasks overseas, we are focusing on the vertical startup of our Thailand factory early next year. Coordinated together with TAA and other overseas bases to create a stable supply chain that covers Japan, Southeast Asia and China, it's important that this startup succeeds according to plan. Future expansion in to North American and Europe is anticipated as well. Reliable access to growth markets overseas must be established and sales capabilities strengthened if we are to prevail competing against other major aluminum manufacturers and a rising number of newcomers. From the onset, this simple fact must be understood: if we cannot prove our competitiveness, UACJ will not survive. This is something we must never forget as we press forward.

We must listen carefully to customers in each market and take consideration of their diversified needs. A key point here is to remain aware that constantly introducing new technologies and products to the market fuels sustained development for manufacturers.

There are, however, certain tenets that we must bear in mind. As I’ve stated numerous times in the past, we must exceed the expectations of our customers and maintain a strong commitment to compliance, safety, the environmental and quality.

A new company’s business grows from its customers. If we take this fact to heart, quickly and accurately understand our customers' needs, develop new technologies and products to meet those needs, and bring high-quality products to market, I am confident we will win the loyalty of customers and the market.

Compliance is an absolute must for any company, as is evidenced by numerous examples of companies that have failed after losing the trust of the public as the result of not complying with local or regional standards, regulations or laws. Along the same line, I cannot help but stress that, core to the success of any business, is a strong commitment to safety, the environment and quality. If a company doesn't continuously work to raise its standards in these areas, it has no future.

It is my sincere hope that UACJ will be an extraordinary company capable of fulfilling customers' needs and providing an exemplary work environment where all employees can work safely and comfortably, with zero accidents. Congratulations to us all, and be safe!

Mitsuru Okada
President and CEO