Since its founding in 1888 as a workshop for manufacturing and repairing machinery and equipment used in the Besshi Copper Mines, the Sumitomo Group's ancestral business, SHI has consistently worked to reduce the burden on workers and improve productivity. This aligns with our purpose statement, the SHI Group's reason for existing, which is to "enhance society and those within it with compassion through our ownership and vision."
Guided by this purpose, we are currently working on initiatives to create new value and enhance corporate value, with our vision for 2030 being "a company that contributes to an affluent society through core technologies and realizes CSV." Under the Medium-Term Management Plan 2026, we have made progress in building a robust business structure. In particular, we believe that leveraging digital capabilities is essential for addressing social issues and improving business profitability.
Therefore, we will continue to develop the "DX Activity Policy" to "sophisticate and simplify operational processes" and "create excellent products and services," while also achieving "corporate social responsibility."
Specifically, we plan to "sophisticate and simplify operational processes" by promoting value chain reform and utilizing digital tools and data to enhance our contribution to "creating excellent products and services," such as improving customer service through IoT and advancing environmental awareness and machine control with data and AI. Additionally, we will continue to contribute to environmental protection and respect for human rights, which are part of our "corporate social responsibility," by maintaining and strengthening environmental and safety measures, including security measures and carbon footprint reduction.
As we strive to achieve the "DX Activity Policy," we will enhance the effectiveness of digital technology use across the Group by emphasizing initiatives that inspire each employee to take proactive action. These initiatives include "Group IT Governance," "DX human resources development and mindset cultivation," "the establishment of digital platforms and their usage environments," and "the provision of support for starting and accelerating digital transformation projects."
Since its founding, SHI has offered a variety of products and services that address the needs of the times. With our DX Vision to "Leverage the digital capabilities to make workplaces around the world more comfortable and bring happiness to everyone involved." and our DX Mission to "Connecting our technology, people, and Omois for a bright future." The phrase "Omois for a bright future" is a symbolic expression that represents our desire and effort to bridge "gaps" such as the "division" of time and space or the "limits" of intelligence. We will continue to promote these initiatives.
I appreciate your continued support and cooperation.