Fumikiyo Uchioke, President and CEO

We usually win orders for our group's products for a car approximately two years before the car's mass production starts by coming first in exacting competitions. "17Vision," our next midterm management plan, ranges from 2013 to 2017. Therefore, all companies in our group have to start preparing for "17Vision," taking 2011 as the practical first year of "17Vision."
The fundamental slogan for our operations is Global No. 1. To achieve this goal, we have determined three activity themes: Product Development Capability No. 1, Manufacturing Capability No. 1, and Human Development Capability No. 1. We will soon clarify the details, goals, and systems for these activities. 2017 is not only the culminating year of "17Vision" but also the year in which we will celebrate our 100th year of business.I hope that we will be able to mark our 100th anniversary as a Global No. 1 company.

Let me state three points that I would especially like you to focus on.

The first of my three points is to promote Product Development Capability No. 1. Product Development Capability means the ability to create products that are attractive to customers and meet their needs. To survive in conditions of increased competition for winning orders, we have to further enhance our ability to develop products. We will advance the activities based on the Product Development Capability No. 1 theme. As the starting point for that, I would like you to finalize the Product Appeal No. 1 Activity that has been in operation for three years. I hope that you will analyze the effects realized in the activity, find the challenges to be solved, and apply the results to the Product Development Capability No. 1.

The second is to promote Manufacturing Capability No. 1. Manufacturing Capability means the ability to provide customers with inexpensive products with high quality, responding flexibly to changes in production conditions. To win exacting competitions on a global basis, Manufacturing Capability has to be established in addition to Product Development Capability. I hope that you will tackle your challenges and solve them as soon as possible to achieve Manufacturing Capability No. 1.

The third is to promote Human Development Capability No. 1. The key to supporting Product Development Capability and Manufacturing Capability is human resources. We will create a mechanism to provide human resource training that encourages people to exercise their abilities to the fullest under the Human Development Capability No. 1 theme. In Human Development, I would like you to be aware of process control. We definitely have to achieve results to keep our jobs on track. In addition to that, if you properly control the process of achieving results, you will be able to understand the whole job, including past and future steps, and you will also be able to work more effectively. I believe that this will give you the power to think from a broader point of view and enable you to improve your ability to understand the essential nature of your work.