Message from President
The YASKAWA Group set a record high in sales and profits in 2007. However, starting the second half of FY2008, the group’s business conditions became extremely difficult when the financial crisis, touched off in the U.S., suddenly and deeply impacted the real economy throughout the world.
In FY2010, the Group's business performance rebounded from a low in FY2009 caused by the global recession. Our performance figures recorded a sharp upturn on the back of demand from China and other Asian markets, which posted strong growth, as well as from our principal customers in Japan, notably machinery makers, who enjoyed brisk exports.
In FY2009, the Yaskawa Group embarked on “Challenge 100,” our new four-year mid-term business plan in the rapidly changing environment. Under “Challenge 100,” we are working on the creation of new forms of value and new markets in the business domains of “Environmental & Energy” and “Robotics Human Assist”, and now our challenge is beginning to bud.
In the “Environmental & Energy” business domain, we will propose system solutions to make efficient use of alternative natural energies like solar power and wind power, commercialize on-board electric products for electric cars and propose energy-saving solutions. In the domain of “Robotics Human Assist,” we aim for a society where humans and robots coexist, and our specific approaches to this will include devising robots that are easier for people to use, as well as actively working to expand the markets in which robots can be used, such as medical care and nursing care.
In FY2011, the third year of “Challenge 100”, we will step up our activities for market expansion in these new business domains by reinforcing the organizational framework. For our core business domain of “Mechatronics Solution”, we will continuously launch new competitive products, and strengthen our business operations in the rapidly growing emerging markets.
I am determined to ensure that our group can continue growing even as market conditions change, by improving profitability and building on our technologies and the achievements made so far, as well as the reinforced financial structure.
We sincerely appreciate continuous understanding and support of our shareholders and investors.
Junji Tsuda, President
