News Room 2012 (The former Furukawa-Sky)
2012 President's New Year's Greetings (summary)
January 4, 2012
I would like to wish everyone a happy new year.
Looking back upon last year brings to mind the serious impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on the lives of many people and on many industries, especially in the automotive sector.
Overseas we witnessed a rapid reversal of fortune for the world economy, which suffered from events such as the downgrading of US Treasury bills, the credit crisis in the Eurozone, and the specter of inflation in developing economies such as China. We also must recognize the harsh changes in the business environment in which our Group operates, which was faced with previously unseen developments such political upheaval in the Middle East, which impacted oil prices, and the flooding in Thailand.
We are looking forward to further development of our business despite this tough situation, through efforts such as the reform of our domestic plate production that has resulted a stronger business structure, as well as the acquisition through joint investment of a North American rolled products company. We are also speeding up the development of global markets which will support future growth. Examples of this include the upcoming announcement of new construction of a rolled products plant in Thailand, as well as our looking into battery foil business in China and the announcement of construction of a processed product plant there. Also, despite our Thailand coil center having been hit with flooding just after coming online, everyone involved with that plant is making an all-out effort to restore operations as soon as possible.
We have created the following slogan for 2012 to signify our unceasing pursuit of growth and the advancement of our various policies in Japan and overseas in the midst of a severe business environment:
Achieve Our Targets By Treating Changes As Opportunities
Operating under this slogan, our areas of emphasis in 2012 are as follows:
- Further strengthening of internal controls
- Safety / Environment / Quality: The starting points of business
- Maximizing customer satisfaction
- Sustainable enhancement of earning power
- Further growth as a global player