2018 New Year’s Message

On behalf of the management of UACJ, it is my pleasure to wish everyone Happy New Year. I hope that each and every one of you had a safe and relaxing time with family and friends over the year-end holiday season.

As we enter the new year, I would like to take this special moment to address everyone in the UACJ Group. Since establishing the UACJ Group in October 2013, all group members have been working closely together to reach our goal of becoming an aluminum industry leader in a competitive global market. In December 2014, we announced our first mid-term management plan, based on which various measures have been implemented over the three years from fiscal 2015 to this fiscal year, 2017.

In the flat rolled products business, the monthly sales volume at UACJ (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has surpassed the 10,000 ton mark. In order to raise the annual production capacity to 320,000 tons, we are proceeding with capital investment for more casting equipment and cold-rolling machines. In North America, as well, work has been carried out to introduce a casting line and cold-rolling machines at the Logan Mill of Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc.
Meanwhile, as environmental regulations become more stringent around the world, automobile manufacturers are focusing on ways to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. To this end, more aluminum parts are being used in most vehicles to lighten the weight of the vehicle. In North America, Constellium-UACJ ABS LLC was jointly founded with Constellium N.V. in a move that has resulted in the mass production of aluminum automotive body sheets. In October of last year, we also we decided to install new heat-treatment and surface-finishing equipment for automotive body sheets at the Fukui Works in Japan.

We are actively moving forward with upfront investments to keep pace with the markets in the extrusion, foil, casting and forging, copper tubing, and precision-machined components businesses as well.
In North America, a decision was made to introduce state-of-the-art extruders at UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries, Inc. for the purpose of meeting the rising demand for automotive structural materials and parts. Meanwhile, In the copper tubing business, we introduced DANT, a copper tubing that is more resistant to corrosion, with the aim of expanding operations worldwide.

Our next mid-term management plan will begin in April this year, with details of the plan to be announced before the end of fiscal 2017. I humbly request that all members of the UACJ Group continue to work as one this year, and in coming years, based on the new mid-term management plan.

In the course of your duties to that end, I would like to request that you pay attention to the following points.
First of all, please keep in mind “compliance” and our “commitment to safety, the environment and product quality.” I have spoken about these issues every year since the foundation of our group. They are the key factors required for companies to perform business. We must work diligently to ensure thorough compliance, enhance safety and quality control, and protect the environment, and in doing so, confirm that all staff improve their awareness of these issues. I also ask that each and every one of you personally confirm your awareness when carrying out your duties.

Secondly, I feel that it is important to focus on “workstyle reform.” We are devoted to ensuring workplace environments where all employees can perform their duties in in good health and with vivacity, while balancing work and private life. In order to achieve this, we are implementing measures to manage working hours more appropriately.

As I am always saying that I would like you to “be cognizant of risk, and be blinded by neither pessimism nor optimism.” By continuing to act without over-reacting to each little thing that occurs, the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle will be completed, leading to a positive result.
“Clarifying vision,” “sharing it” and “cooperation” are also important issues. Through these, we can improve the reliability and speed of our ability to take action. In doing so, let’s become a corporate group that continues to achieve its targets.

Finally, my sincere desire is that the UACJ Group becomes an excellent corporate group that provides all employees safety, security and satisfaction. With that, I hope that we continue forward in our endeavors and realize a year with zero accidents and injuries!Again, thank you all for what we have achieved to date and I look forward to our accomplishments in 2018.

Mitsuru Okada
Representative Director and President