New Year’s Interview: Gates Unitta Asia VP Shuji Miyamoto Shuji Miyamoto, vice president of Gates Unitta Asia Co., said in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly that growth was sluggish during 2015 in monetary terms due to the impact of exchange rates, but expanding business volume is raising expectations for increased revenue and profit. Although automotive industry growth was anemic...
Products
Greater Productivity, Same High Quality—Forbo Siegling
New Year’s Top Interview: Forbo Siegling Japan President Mamoru Sato Representative Director and President Mamoru Sato of Forbo Siegling Japan Ltd. said recently in an interview with the Japan Rubber Weekly that 2015 sales are forecast to increase 4–5 percent year-on-year. Profit will likely rise only marginally due to higher costs for raw materials, electricity and distribution. Despite these difficulties,...
Stand Out to Compete in Developing Markets—Mitsuboshi Belting
New Year’s Top Interview: Mitsuboshi Belting President Hajime Kakiuchi Speaking with Japan Rubber Weekly in an interview, Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd. (TYO:5192) President Hajime Kakiuchi said he believes difficulties await this year if the current economic slump persists. The company has invested in upgrading its capabilities in Japan, and its ability to continue doing so will help adapt in the future...
Inner Branding Creates New Value—Nitta
New Year’s Top Interview: Nitta President Mototsune Nitta In 2015, Nitta Corp. (TYO:5186) marked 130 years of business. Today, only those companies that continue to create value survive, said Nitta President Mototsune Nitta in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly. Over the next 50 to 100 years, the company’s three main aspirations are to create new businesses and new products,...
Reaching 110th Anniversary Since Founding—Bando Chemical
New Year’s Top Interview: Bando Chemical President Mitsutaka Yoshii Mitsutaka Yoshii, president of Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. (TYO:5195), said in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly that his firm’s research and development efforts have yielded the seeds of growth into new markets. He added that this year’s work will include the cultivation of business operations based on the resulting new...
Onward With Operational Globalization—Sumitomo Riko
New Year’s Top Interview: Sumitomo Riko President Tetsu Matsui In an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly, Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) President Tetsu Matsui talked about his background as well as his and the company’s present situation. He said he assumed his post in June 2015 after spending seven years in North America. Since Matsui’s previous work experience was in...