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Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corporation (President: Yoshihiro Minato; Head office: 1-1-1 Koyakita, Itami, HyogoPrefecture) recently established a LogisticCenter in Konohana Ward, Osaka, holding an opening ceremony on October 7, 2008. In establishing the Center, a distribution center in Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka was relocated and expanded with the aim of strengthening the Company’s distribution functions for global business development. The Center’s opening marks the start of a completely new global logistic system to serve clients in Japan and abroad.
Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal has strengthened and expanded its manufacturing and sales sites in Japan and abroad to achieve the sales goal of ¥100 billion set for 2012. In addition, the Company commenced the Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal SCM(*1) (SSCM) project in June 2006 to increase customer satisfaction and business expansion through comprehensive business process reforms.
In the SSCM project, the Company has concentrated its efforts on analysis for precise demand forecasts, establishment of optimal global inventory management and global distribution reforms. The establishment of the new LogisticCenter constitutes a framework for the Company’s business process reforms.
At the LogisticCenter, the Company operates its computer system in collaboration with those of distribution/shipping companies, so that shipping operations are carried out without delay, as if within a single company. More specifically, upon receipt of shipping information from the Company, the distribution/shipping company sends a shipping instruction to the warehouse system to meet the deadline indicated by the recipient. Export and custom clearance procedures are completed while the shipped items are picked up and packed in the warehouse. This information is also sent to the computer system of the international distribution/shipping company in charge, in order to book a flight, prepare for import and customs clearance procedures in the destination country and make local delivery service arrangements. Consequently, the logistic system effectively reduces transport lead-time and achieves an adequate local inventory, enabling our clients in some Asian countries to receive the ordered item within 24 hours after ordering.
A tracking system has also been developed to control and trace all products up to client delivery, both in Japan and abroad. This system enables clients to track their orders themselves. The client logs into a dedicated Website and enters the order number to retrieve information on shipping progress in real time. The tracking system is expected to increase customer satisfaction.
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