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.
Kenichi Hirao,
Strategic Planning Team, Corporate Communications Department
After experiencing marketing at the Automotive Division and Network Division, He was assigned to the Corporate Communications Department in April 2007. Currently He is in charge of the formulation of mid- to long-term corporate communications strategies, group and global communications, etc. He sometimes enjoy playing golf, while He is also into audio equipment.
Enforta B.V.
The largest wireless broadband service provider in Russia. It uses WiMAX, or the latest-of-the-art wireless data communication technology, offering easy access to broadband services to its users in areas without an established infrastructure, like ADSL or an optical network. Our company holds 33.3% of the company's shares.
Sumitec International
Established in 2001, the company is an agency dealing in construction and mining machinery produced by Komatsu Ltd. and a dealer handling forklifts manufactured by Toyota. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of our company. In addition to the head office in Moscow, which I visited, the subsidiary has about 10 branches and regional offices in Sankt Petersburg, Siberia (Krasnoyarsk), the Far East (Khabarovsk), and other areas throughout Russia.
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I arrived at the Domodedovo Airport on July 20, 2008. The weather that greeted me was fine and mild. I got into the car to go to the city. It was my first visit to Moscow and I was amazed at the cars running along the streets; it seemed as if it was a matter of course that high-class automobiles like LEXUS, BMW, and MERCEDES were running. It gave me a glimpse of Russia's economic development.
There were so many cars and the traffic jam became worse and worse. I usually cannot stand traffic jams. However, I realized that thinking about the places I was going to visit from the next day onward naturally excited me. I did wonder how business was operated in this country, which boasts such a massive land area and abundant resources amid the rapid economic development.
Mr. Kashiki, (Vice President, left), Mr. Ratnikov (General Director, middle), Mr. Sparkman (President, right)
This company is the largest wireless broadband service providers in Russia. It has rapidly expanded its service area since its launching services in March 2005. At present (November 2008), the company provides services to over 23,000 corporate users in 55 cities in Russia.
Our company has sent Mr. Kashiki to the company, where he is Vice President. He showed me around the office and told me about the company. On our way, I also talked to Mr. Ratnikov, General Director, and Mr. Sparkman, the President. While talking to them, I strongly felt that the management was sure of the success of their business and was trying to expand it steadily and rapidly.
Enforta's brand logo (next to it is Mr. Kashiki)
In the office, I was impressed with the brand logo which was at the entrance. It is a design combining an apple and an "at" sign (@). It not only is familiar to us but also has a strong impact that would never fade over time.
Staff members in the meeting room
On the day I visited the company, they held a marketing meeting. When they were having a break, I had a look at the meeting room, where staff members were chatting with each other in a relaxed way. I thought that they enjoyed working and were satisfied with their jobs. I felt almost intuitively that such an environment would lead to the creation of new business. In the conversation with Mr. Kashiki, I was impressed with the many ideas for the future he presented.
Although faced with drastic changes and growths caused by the Internet, the company has management personnel of outstanding experience and staff members work vigorously. During the visit, I felt that by supporting the company with our company’s business experience accumulated in various regions and areas, we will surely be able to offer some unprecedented and exciting services in the future.
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