Title: Looking Back on 2021

I know it is a little early, but I would like to thank all of our employees for your hard work in 2021.

As for those of you in the departments that have to carry out security, maintenance, or stop equipment and systems to perform maintenance, thank you for coming to work even during the New Year holidays.

Once again, please let me appreciate everyone for your valuable dedication over the past year.

I would also like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been infected with new corona virus, and their families.

Actually, when orders increased, we were excited with expectation, but when orders suddenly decreased or production was cut back due to semiconductor shortages, we felt as though we were walking on the edge.

This was followed by a sharp rise in raw material prices, which caused us even more headaches. And now, we are calmly approaching the end of the year with the aim of recovering production next year.


Responding flexibly

As I mentioned at the beginning of the year, regarding the "transformation to a solid management structure," we have decisively implemented structural reforms around the world.

We have also had each department thoroughly eliminate waste, reduce overhead costs, and become leaner.

In the future, please continue to consider cost-effectiveness and proactively take on challenges where they will lead to future growth.

Under the Corona pandemic, we need to keep "reporting, communication, and consultation" even closer, otherwise everyone's feelings will be misunderstood.

Manufacturing cannot be done at home, and face-to-face communication with the people working at the manufacturing site is important.

I believe that the basic principle is “Genchi-Genbutsu (on-site with the actual items)”.

Of course, from now on, I will continue to visit offices and factories with thorough infection prevention measures in place.

Next year, I would like to visit overseas factories as much as possible.

It's been a year and a half since I took office as president.

I have posted the President's Blog more than 70 times so far.

I’m going to continue sending my messages in my blog, so I would be happy if everybody reads it and comments with their thoughts and feelings.

In November, we also launched the web-based in-house newsletter “MItsukumi2” .

I would like to continue to communicate in a way that is in tune with the times, and I hope that each workplace will further enhance communication.

How to spend the year-end and New Year holidays

By the way, it's almost the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

As usual, I’m going to do some exercise and mostly spend time with my family.

Alright everybody, please have a great New Year’s holiday!

SUMITOMO RIKO President's Blog

The contents of this blog are compiled by the Public Relations and Investor Relations Department of Sumitomo Riko Company Limited as the secretariat and posted on the blog based on the speeches and wr