Our Corporate Communications staff spend time getting to know Sumitomo Corporation's different business sites around the world, reporting on how the people at those sites work. We will keep you up to date with the world of Sumitomo Corporation, which extends to every corner of the globe.
Kazuho Enaka,
Mass Media Relations Team, Corporate Communications Department
He was assigned to the Corporate Communications Department in 2006, after working in sales in the Wood Resources Business Department. He is currently in charge of communications for the Financial & Logistics Business Unit, the Kansai Regional Business Unit and the Global Strategy & Research Department. His weight-losing efforts are proving to be successful.
OAO Terneyles
Based in Plastun in Russia's Maritime Province, OAO Terneyles is Russia's largest integrated forest company, owning vast forested regions of 2.4 million hectares. Sumitomo Corporation holds a 45% interest in the company.
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A picture taken in front of the Terneyles office to commemorate our visit
Another reason for the good relationship we enjoy with Terneyles is their consideration for the environment. Terneyles was the first company in Russia to acquire the FSC certification and carries out its activities under the mission statement of "environmentally conscious and sustainable forest management." In accordance with their plan, they limit their annual timber harvest to an area of 1/150 of their total holdings. It's generally said that it takes 100 years for a seed to be transformed into a mature tree, so this rate ensures Terneyles forest resources are naturally and sustainably renewed.
Such environmental efforts have been highly praised among industry groups and environmental organizations. Terneyles was the only one out of the 18 timber companies operating in Russia's Maritime Province to be evaluated as "highly responsible" by the global environmental organization WWF in its "Environmental Responsibility Assessment," which scores companies' environmental efforts. It is one of the few environmentally responsible forest companies whose business activities conform with the direction laid out by the Russian government.
Another feather in the company's cap is the increase in the number of the once-endangered Amur tigers of Maritime Province, said to be the result of Terneyles' environmental efforts. The World Bank's Tiger Conservation Initiative has officially recognized the company's contribution and invited it to attend meetings related to conservation efforts.
Executives from both companies planted a memorial tree together
At a meeting held with Terneyles staff, questions were asked about Sumitomo Corporation's management philosophy and executives expressed their appreciation for the partnership so far. Seeing their management attitudes and environmental efforts with my own eyes during this visit has given me more confidence about the success of this project, a confidence I believe is also felt by the other side. At the close of the meeting, executives of both companies planted a memorial tree beside the Terneyles office. It takes 100 years for a tree to become mature. As this tree is nurtured and grows, so should we nurture and grow this partnership to ensure our joint project is still going strong 100 years or even more into the future.
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