News Release
2016 FY Welcoming Ceremony - Greeting from President Mitsuyoshi Shibata
April 1, 2016
I would like to extend my congratulations to all of you. Welcome to Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.! I am very happy that we could form a connection with all of you on common ground at Furukawa Electric, and become colleagues.
Furukawa Electric was founded in 1884. At that time electric wires were manufactured outside of Japan. Ichibe Furukawa, founder of the Furukawa Group, had a strong desire to manufacture electric wires domestically and "make Japan brighter" by running electricity in every home, and he worked hard to help create a new style of Japan.
The world is now changing into a global society. We are in the unique position of inheriting the philosophies of those who have come before us as we leverage our raw material strengths in a wide range of fields (such as infrastructures and automobiles), as we continue to contribute to society by "making the world brighter." I imagine that all of you are thinking of what you want to accomplish and what kind of person you want to become over the course of your working life.
In order to realize your own dreams, it is important first of all for the Furukawa Electric Group to continue to turn a solid profit. I have recently been telling all of our employees to act and work on their own in a way that generates short-term or long-term profit, rather than just going through the motions. I say the same to all of you today.
We will begin a new Mid-term Management Plan this year. The goal of the plan is to become a "corporate group that is 'a cut above' and can expect to grow." Recently, more and more companies throughout the world that have the vitality to grow are saying that they need Furukawa Electric products and technologies. Let's work together so that we can be proud of our position supporting the companies of the world. Let's go the distance in these severe times we find ourselves in—together
Now, I would like to ask all of you for three things when you start your careers with us.
Continue to temper your courage
My first request is to "continue to temper your courage." When veteran employees look back on their working lives, I often hear them remark that the difficult experiences they had when they first started their careers served as the raw materials that made them who they are today. Weathering the storm only makes you stronger. When you aren't sure of something, when you are worried or concerned, the important thing is to actively ask your coworkers for advice.
Work hard and grow
My second request is to "work hard as you grow." If you give up you'll never growthis is true of anything. Engaging in mutual discussion and testing your ideas against one another in order to reach your goals will be nothing special and bring everyone to the next level. It can also transform us into a "corporate group that is 'a cut above'" other companies.
Make work cheerful and fun
My third request is to "make work cheerful and fun." You will spend the next few decades leading fulfilling lives as you take part in your working lives at Furukawa Electric. Your lives are precious, and I would like you all to make these years satisfying and worthwhile. Although there will of course be intense highs and lows throughout your working lives, I hope that you will take a positive outlook, continue to enjoy your work, cultivate a sense of curiosity during your careers at Furukawa Electric, and continue to seek happiness that spreads throughout the world.
In closing, the stage you find yourselves standing on extends in all directions, and it's only getting bigger. I ask that you all do great work on a global scale, but also that you bear safety and health in mind.
From today, you will all become Furukawa Electric employees. You will serve as the face of Furukawa Electric. The actions of each and every one of you will create happy lives, which "make the world brighter" and create value for the Furukawa Electric brand.
I vow to take my position in the vanguard and work with all of you to achieve this.
About Furukawa Electric Group
Furukawa Electric (TSE; 5801, ISIN; JP3827200001) Group started business in 1884, when its copper-smelting facility and wire manufacturing factory was established. Since then Furukawa Electric has become pioneers in the latest technologies by addressing diverse technological issues.
Furukawa Electric has released products in a number of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, and construction, with the three types of materials it works with at their core, namely, optics, plastics, and metals. Many of these products have attained the top global market share, and all of its products have contributed to society in numerous business areas. Furukawa Electric reported consolidated revenues of JPY 867.8 billion (approximately USD 8.2B) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
