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The Boeing Company/Bombardier Inc.
For approximately 50 years, Sojitz has worked closely with The Boeing Company in the sale of Boeing commercial airplanes. The Boeing aircraft handled by the division have captured an 85%-plus share of the respective Japanese market. The B787, a new aircraft incorporating the latest in Boeing technology, will enter the service fleets of two prominent Japanese airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, from 2008. Meanwhile, in the field of regional and business aircraft, Canada-based Bombardier Inc. enjoys a largely unchallenged presence with respect to sales of its small jets in Japan. With further growth in business jets anticipated going forward, we will vigorously promote sales of the full range of related aircraft that Boeing's BBJ (Boeing Business Jets) arm and Bombardier have to offer.
Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' (Top), Bombardier Global Express (Right) and Dash8-Q400 (Left)
Aerospace Development Business: Contributing to Global Society
© JAXA
Providing a broad range of European and U.S. products for International Space Station, H-IIA rocket and satellite applications
Sojitz and Sojitz Aerospace Corporation act as agent for U.S.-based Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK) in the import to Japan of solid rocket booster (SRB-A) materials and solid strap-on boosters (SSB), used in the H-IIA, Japan's world-class rocket. In addition, the Company is contributing to the Japanese space industry and to the international community through the supply of various Earth-observation sensors and electronic equipment for the International Space Station's Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), and communications satellites.
Manufacture and Sales of Isuzu Trucks in Russia
Signing ceremony at the Japan-Russia Investment Forum for eventual establishment of a joint venture in Russia
The Japan-Russia Investment Forum, organized to coincide with a visit to Japan by Mikhail Fradkov, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, took place on February 28, 2007. At the forum, former Isuzu Motors Limited President Yoshinori Ida, OAO Severstal-Auto President Vadim Shvetsov, and former Sojitz Executive Vice President Yutaka Kase (now President) signed a protocol that will see the companies enter negotiations aimed at establishing a joint venture for the manufacture and sale of Isuzu trucks in Russia. In the past, UAZ, an automobile plant and Severstal-Auto subsidiary, has manufactured and sold Isuzu's ELF light-duty trucks. The proposed joint venture will enable the ELF, as well as medium and heavy-duty Isuzu trucks, to be produced and sold in Russia.
Automotive Components in the United States
The extrusion process for exterior components produced by Plastic Trim LLC
Sojitz is using M&A opportunities to accelerate its entry into the automotive components industry. As one example, Sojitz joined forces with the Minth Group, a prominent maker of automotive exterior components and strategic partner based in China, to assume the business operations of U.S.-based Plastic Trim LLC in June 2007. By leveraging the Minth Group's expertise in low-cost operations, together with design, development technology, and manufacturing bases centered on the production of customer-driven automotive components, Sojitz plans to establish a highly profitable business model for developing operations in North America.
Hyundai Sales in Central and South America
Shaking hands with local partners at the signing of a capital tie-up with Hyundai Motor Argentina
South Korea-based Hyundai Corporation is another Sojitz strategic partner, and a company that has experienced astounding growth in recent years. Working primarily through its Hyundai car assembly operations in Venezuela, Sojitz is helping Hyundai to establish leading market shares in Colombia, Chile, Peru and other Central and South American countries through a push to expand sales in these markets. To further enhance its value chain in this region, Sojitz acquired a 34% stake in Hyundai Motor Argentina S.A. on May 22, 2007, with plans to sell upwards of 3,000 vehicles in 2009.
Digital Device FPC Manufacturing Business
Integrated production at the SCD-V plant of FPC marketed to electronic device makers across Asia.
Sojitz has formed an alliance with Sakai Electronic Industry Co., Ltd. that has resulted in the establishment of a company specializing in the manufacture of flexible printed circuits (or FPC) in Dong Nai, Vietnam. Fully integrated FPC production has already commenced at the new company, named Sakai Circuit Device of Vietnam Co., Ltd. (SCD-V). The high-quality FPC produced by SCD-V are emerging as key components in digital devices, with greater use expected in car electronics and other new fields in which global demand is set to increase.
Development of Global Plant and Infrastructure Business
Sendzimir 20-high cold rolling mill for delivery to ACERINOX Group company Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd. of South Africa
In January 2007, Sojitz received an order for two Sendzimir 20-high cold rolling mills from Spain's ACERINOX Group, the world's second largest stainless steel manufacturer. Sojitz is licensed to manufacture and sell these mills, and aggressively pursues sales activities in the stainless steel market, where growth in demand is expected. Here, the Sojitz sales approach is one that closely tracks the needs of its customers worldwide. The coming years will also see Sojitz enact initiatives related to industrial plants (e.g., cement, paper, energy, chemical, and fertilizer plants), ports, bridges, airports, and other types of infrastructure.
Global Development of Electronic Component SMT Equipment and Related Businesses
Fuji Machine semiconductor SMT equipment
Sojitz has established sales and service subsidiaries in Southeast Asia, Brazil and India specializing in SMT equipment produced by Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd., which boasts the world's leading share of industrial robots used for semiconductor mounting. Through these subsidiaries, Sojitz offers related sales and service mainly to clients in the PC, mobile phone, automotive, and electronic component fields. In China, too, Sojitz purchased a sales and service company in January 2007 that, as a subsidiary, has helped to expand its SMT equipment sales and service network in the country. Looking ahead, Sojitz is eyeing the establishment of companies involved in the development and manufacture of related products as it takes steps to expand operations in this sector.
New Business Models in Growing Electronics and Telecommunication Fields
Satellite telecommunication antenna
Sojitz is leveraging its overseas network and financing functions to develop its upstream telecommunication infrastructure equipment business targeting markets in India, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Going forward, Sojitz will pursue operations related to telecommunication network maintenance and service in each of these key markets. In the downstream field of electronic components, Sojitz aims to become a logistical trading company that can answer needs in important markets, particularly in India, Brazil, and other BRICs countries, with VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory), financing functions, and other solutions. In the future, Sojitz also plans to take part in manufacturing, sales, and service operations in the electronic components field.
Sojitz Machinery Corporation: A Dynamic Machinery Trading Company
Equipment from Fila Tech Corporation used to manufacture hollow-fiber films for artificial dialysis
The continuation of healthy growth in the automobile industry has triggered a resurgence of investment in steelmaking, non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals and other key industries. In these key industries, Sojitz Machinery is expanding sales of energy-efficient, labor-saving, and environmental equipment for new and renewal plans. Sojitz Machinery is also unveiling aggressive initiatives that target future growth fields such as LCDs, optical films, and semiconductors, as well as the fuel cell, solar and lithium-ion battery sectors. In parallel, the company is working to promote growth in sales of safe diagnostic systems, medical polymers and other new equipment to the medical sector, including through the manufacture of hollow-fiber films for artificial dialysis.
Sojitz Marine & Engineering Corporation
The CRP Azipod, a next-generation hybrid electric propulsion system for ships
This company operates in a wide range of marine fields thanks to a formidable network of more than 110 experts and 14 offices in Japan and overseas. From the sale and purchase of newly built and second-hand ships, long-term chartering, ship management and construction supervision, to main propulsion engines, special equipment for LNG carriers, and sales of cast and forged steel products and shipbuilding equipment, Sojitz Marine & Engineering has businesses that cover every corner of the shipping and shipbuilding industries. As it continues to use these collective strengths to provide solutions to customer needs, Sojitz Marine & Engineering will take steps to extend its business scope even further.
The Ship-Owning Business
The 32,000 dwt bulk/log carrier "Port Alice," a new addition to the Sojitz Fleet in 2005.
Sojitz brings more than 40 years of experience and know-how to bear in developing its ship-owning business operations. Economic growth in the BRICs and other countries is spurring greater demand for seaborne cargo trade. In this climate, Sojitz is taking full advantage of both client networks and information gained through Sojitz Marine & Engineering business operations, all while steadily upgrading its fleet. Sojitz also plans to resume investment in LNG carriers in collaboration with the Energy & Mineral Resources Division.
Power Generation
The Phu My 3 combined cycle gas turbine power plant IPP
Sojitz is engaged in power generation businesses both at home and abroad. Overseas, we are part of the Phu My 3 IPP project in Vietnam in collaboration with Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. In China, Sojitz is jointly invested with Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) in the Tianshi power generation project. We have also taken part in projects in Sri Lanka, Mexico and other countries. Ties that we forge with prominent domestic and overseas partners will underpin further efforts in this area going forward.
