Today, our company held its 2025 entrance ceremony at its Osaka headquarters, welcoming 14 new employees.
The new employees will undergo group training to learn business etiquette and acquire knowledge related to their work, after which they will be assigned to their respective departments. They will then undergo six months of on-the-job training under the guidance of senior employees.

＜Message from President Takashita to new employees＞

Good morning.
Congratulations to all new employees on joining our company. We sincerely welcome you and celebrate this new beginning.
From today, you will become members of society and face the challenges of working at a company head-on. You may feel anxious and nervous about the new experiences ahead, but there is no need to worry.　You have the most valuable asset among employees: time. By approaching your work with a sense of purpose, the experiences, and skills you accumulate will become valuable assets for you. Connections with others will enrich your work, and you will grow as a person and contribute to society.
On this significant day in your life, I would like to talk about our company and your goals in life.
Our company was established in 1946 by Kobe Steel and is celebrating its 79th anniversary this year. Kobe Steel was founded in 1874 as Suzuki Shoten, a trading company, and in 1905, it began manufacturing steel products. From there, it expanded into shipbuilding and other manufacturing businesses related to general industry, eventually becoming the diverse business entity it is today.
As a manufacturer-affiliated trading company, we have built on this legacy, establishing diverse supply chains starting from group businesses, and have achieved unique growth as the core trading company of the group.
Our strengths lie in our diverse businesses and numerous premium customers as part of the Kobe Steel Group, our specialization as a manufacturer-affiliated trading company, and our global supply chain that leverages our global network to supply products worldwide.
Leveraging these strengths, we will expand our business through three pillars: Kobe Steel Group Business, which leads and expands diverse businesses as the core trading company of the Kobe Steel Group; Shinsho Original Supply Chain, which creates unique supply chains based on our expertise as a manufacturer-affiliated trading company; and Sustainability Business, which advances future-oriented business investments contributing to the resolution of social issues.
Furthermore, we will refine and concretize the growth strategy and sustainability management formulated in the “Medium Term Management Plan 2026” launched in fiscal 2024 into an attractive growth story and value creation process logic and aim to become a trading company that supports tomorrow's manufacturing and contributes to society, together with the young people who have joined us, as our long-term vision.
Now, what are your goals in life? What do you want to achieve?
Earlier, I talked about the importance of working with a sense of purpose. Purpose is the soul and the heart. What drives you? Work is also a means of exploring that.
Our corporate philosophy is “We aim to create a prosperous society and happiness for everyone through the creation of new value based on integrity.”
This corporate philosophy serves as the foundation for our values and code of conduct. Considering our raison d'être as a trading company, I believe that our mission is to “deliver reliable value and create something better for society, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.”
If you share our corporate philosophy and find something you want to achieve through your work, and approach your work with ambition, you will naturally become a proactive person who “learns and acts on their own.” By valuing encounters and connections with others, I believe that you will surely achieve what you want to achieve.
Don't be afraid to fail and give everything a try. Our company provides the foundation for this, and we look forward to seeing you all thrive in your respective fields.
In closing, I hope you will keep today's thoughts as you embark on your first day as a member of society in your hearts, pay close attention to your health and safety, and give your all to your work and your life.