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December 17, 2010

Attendance at the establishment ceremony of Beijing Xianglong Borui Auto Service(Group)Co., Ltd.

Automobile Repair Company Beijing, the partner company of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials joint venture company, Beijing Borui Dongmao Automobile Sale Service Co., Ltd. has merged withBeijing Used Vehicle Trading Market Co.,Ltd. and Beijing Xianglong Rental Car Co.,Ltd. to establish Beijing Xianglong Borui Auto Service(Group)Co., Ltd.

Attendees at the ceremony were government officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Transport of the PRC, government officials of Beijing City, affiliates in the automotive industry, business partners and the media, exceeding a total of 250 people. Among the guests, Mr Tanaka, President of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials attended the ceremony as a guest of honor.

The newly established Beijing Xianglong Borui Auto Service(Group)Co., Ltd. has 38 subsidiaries in China with total assets of RMB4.7 billion and 3,500 employees.
This merger will widen their field of business operations to include used car dealerships and car rental businesses, added to their existing new car Sales, Spare parts supply and Servicing of vehicles businesses (3S businesses). We will continue to explore new business opportunities and expand our business in the increasingly growing Chinese automotive industry.

November 9, 2010

Progress of the Shanxi Jindi Coal Complex Project

26 October, before the 5th Joint Venture Conference in China took place, Group Chairman Mr Machida and President Mr Tanaka inspected our Shanxi Jindi Coal Complex Project. Mr. Kong Qing Ran, President of Shanxi Jincheng Coal Chemical Development Co., Ltd., our joint venture partner on the project, escorted them to main sites including the Chiyu Coal Mine and the Jindiindustrial estate.

This large scale coal complex project consists of coal mining sites, coal washery, coke production, synthetic ammonia, and power generation with a total investment mount of 150 billion yen and annual coal production capacity of 4.2 million tones.

In the Chiyu Coal Mine, a coal production capacity of which is 3 million tones per annum, we are excavating horizontal tunnels from major and sub mining mouths. Aiming to start our production by the end of 2011, we are tying to accelerate the construction and implement Longwall, a large excavator to inside a pit.

At the Nanyao Coal Mine, which was acquired and has a production capacity of 1.2 million tones, we have already implemented a Longwall to inside a pit. Its trial operation will start from early November.

A coal washery with 3 million tones capacity has already started its operation. Groundwork for the plants of cokes and synthetic ammonia are ongoing. Building constructions will start very soon for a power generator and cement plant. All the progress is on schedule.

Circulating Coal Complex Project with a total investment of 150 billion yen

This project, which Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials has been working on for almost 10 years since 2002, is scheduled to start its full operation in 2012. This kind of large scale circulating-form complex is quite rare even in China.

November 9, 2010

The 5th Chinese Joint Venture Partners Conference (held in Shanghai, China)

Each venture companies’ representatives delivered presentations of their new business development plans and strategies for growth, followed by two lectures themed “China Economy – toward the new development”.

＜Lectures＞
1．Mr. Howard Welsh, Vice President & CFO, Ford Motor (China) Ltd.　
「China Briefing」

2)Mr. Go Watanabe, Duputy President, General Manager, Shanghai Branch, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (China). 　“Recent Situation of China Economy”

We are currently keen to more globalize our businesses and organizations. One of significant basis of our global businesses is China. Through a series of formal/informal meetings and recreations including sightseeing in Suzhou, the conference brought great opportunities to all the key executives of the Company, including Director Mr Phil Spender, gathered from our offices in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Japan to exchange opinions and develop close relationships with our global business partners.

October 18, 2010

An organizational change in the top management position of Tokyo Boeki (Australia) Pty Ltd

Mr Hiroshi Shigezumi was appointed to Managing Director of Tokyo Boeki (Australia) Pty Ltd effective since 1 October 2010. His predecessor, Mr Takuji Hiramatsu, was transferred to Japan to take the positions of Director and General Manager, Sales and Marketing at Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd at the same date. Those two executives and President Masayoshi Tanaka visited to some major customers in Australia including Ford Motor Company of Australia, Boral and Atlas Specialty Steel, informing this organizational change to them.

October 15, 2010

Attendance At The Ceremony To Mark Baijin Group’s 20th Anniversary

On 20th of September, the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of Shanghai Baijin Chemical Group Co., Ltd.（Baijin Group）, who is the partner of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials’ joint venture company Shanxi Jinchenng Coal Chemikal Development Co., Ltd., was held in Shanghai. Total 600 people was invited to the ceremony and among them, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials President Mr. Tanaka was the only a Japanese guest who was invited.

The lavish ceremony represents the momentum of the Baijin Group’s development over 20 years. During the ceremony, our President Mr. Tanaka promoted friendship with Chinese tycoon such as Mr. Kong Qing Ran (Chairman, Baijin Group), Mr. Li (Chairman, Wentong Group), Mr. Liu (Chairman, Jizhong Energy Handan Mig ), Mr. Cho (President, Shanxi Jindi).

October 15, 2010

Japan-China Economic Association China Mission 2010

From 5th September 2010, our President Mr. Tanaka visited Beijing as an official member of Japan-China Economic Association delegation.
This year’s delegation, the 36th, had a meeting with Mr. Le Keqiang (Deputy Prime Minister) and also made a courtesy call on Mr. Wan Jifel (Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and strengthened further economic cooperation with China where they achieved remarkable economic development.
In the general meeting with Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, they had exchanges of views on the implementation of cooperation in the East-Asia region and the improvement of business environment. Also in the meeting with National Development and Reform Commission, they had a discussion about strategic reciprocal relation between Japan and China. By having the direct communication and discussing on specific topics with Chinese government organization or local corporate enterprise, they mutually promoted better understanding between Japan and China.

October 15, 2010

Bich Son Delegate Japan Mission

By request from Tokyo Boeki Hanoi Representative Office, Bich Son Brick Joint Stock Company (Mr. Tran Viet Doc, President, Mr. Nguyen Duc Canh, Vice President) and Anh Linh service and trading investment company limited（Mr. Nguyen Van Van, President) visited Japan in early October.

Bich Son Brick Joint Stock Company is Vietnamese local brick manufacturer based in Bac Giang province, who is planning to start new cement block manufacturing business by the introduction of Japanese technology.

The delegate visited S-Bic company who is the one of the most important customer for our Materials Division. They had concrete-manufacturing plant tour followed by the discussion for future business development.
Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials is working to commercialize this potential business and would continue the discussion with Bich Son company in order to achieve that.

October 5, 2010

Ceremony for new-graduate employees who will join us in April 2011

On 1 October 2010, a ceremony was held for 8 young talents who have accepted employment offers from Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials. They will graduate from top-ranked universities the next year and will join us from April 2011. Even under current severe economic circumstances, we are proactively investing on the human capital for our long-term sustainable growth. Five of them will be on the career track immediately and the other three will start with clerical roles.

“It is not enough to adapt yourself to the ever-changing market environment. Please become a change agent and create a value-added business,” cheered President Mr Tanaka, handing a letter of offer to them one by one in the ceremony.

During the half year until their commencement date, they will take some training courses to enhance their basis in the international business including import/export procedures, English, and other business skills.

July 14, 2010

Commencement of preparations for the opening of a representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia

With globalization as its focus, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd, in addition to its other centres in China, Australia and Vietnam, is now driving new business development in Jakarta, Indonesia. We have commenced on preparations to establish a representative office in Jakarta which will become the centre of this initiative. Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd will be actively involved in the Indonesian region through our resources and steel exporting businesses, something that will also contribute to Indonesia’s economic development. We shall also be embarking on business transactions with the ASEAN nations, of which Indonesia is a member, with the aim of leveraging our access to the markets of China and Australia, signatories of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, and through this, to further expand our operations. Please contact kobayashi-m@tokyo-boeki.co.jp if you have any enquiries about the Jakarta office.

June 28, 2010

New Director Appointment - Mr Spender, ex Vice President, Mazda Motor Corporation

We are pleased to announce that appointment of Mr Philip G. Spender as a new member of the Board of Directors was approved at the 4th ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 21st June 2010. The Company believes that a great deal of experience of him at a series of senior management positions in world-leading multinational organizations will effectively help us promote seamless co-operations between our headquarter and overseas group companies as well as further globalization of our businesses including new business development and investment in overseas markets.

June 9, 2010

Extension of joint venture agreement signed with Shangyu Zili Industry New Material Co., Ltd

In April 2009, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. extended the joint venture agreement for Shangyu Dongshun Refractory Co., Ltd. which is a joint venture company of Shangyu Zili Industry New Material Co., Ltd and Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

On the occasion of Public listing of Shangyu Zili Industry New Material Co., Ltd., Mr Tanaka (President and CEO of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd) and Mr. Lieying Ma (President of Shangyu Zili Industry New Material Co., Ltd.) signed on the Amendment of the joint venture agreement.

Our history with Shangyu Zili Industry New Material Co., Ltd. goes back to 1989, when we started to supply their roseki bricks, and then ASC Bricks in 1993 into the Japan Market. Thereafter in 1996 we established Shangyu Dongshun Refractory Co., Ltd. as our second joint venture company in China. Today this venture company continues to supply refractory materials for Japan as our main business partner Refractory Manufacturer.

June 7, 2010

The Board Directors Appointment

Official Announcement after the 4th Annual General Meeting (to be held on 21st of June 2010)

The Board Members' Name, Role and Responsibility after the 4th Annual General Shareholders Meeting. 〔　〕means responsible role and area.

May 11, 2010

Web Conference System introduced and optimized at Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd and it’s group companies

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. (=TBSM) introduced a Web Conference System this year.
In April we connected Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd’s Board Room with Tokyo Boeki Australia Office and Tokyo Boeki China Office and held both TBSM’s Board Meeting for April and TBSM’s Senior Management Meeting. This enabled Mr Hiramatsu, Director of TBSM & President and COO of Tokyo Boeki Australia and Mr Fan, Director of TBSM & Chairman of Tokyo Boeki China to participate from their local offices.

As a company that promotes globalization, it is very beneficial to have Web Conference System connecting the company’s subsidiaries/group companies overseas together. Hereafter we will utilize this system more actively not only for the annual meetings but for general meetings on a daily basis.

May 5, 2010

Year 2010 Training Program for New Employees at Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

During the period from 30th April to 1st May 2010, Plant tours of our main business partners located in Western Japan were carried out as part of the New Employee Training Programs at Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. A total of 8 members consisting of 3 new employees and 5 young existing employees who are actively working in self-development attended the tours.

During the two days they traveled from Tokyo ・Kakogawa ・Bansyu Ako ・Kurashiki ・Fukuyama, and had individual plant tour at M/S. Hyogo Machinery Co.,Ltd, M/S. Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd, M/S. Daiwa Steel Corporation and M/S. West Japan Steel Works （Fukuyama Steel Works） of JFE Steel Corporation thanks to each company’s great support and cooperation.

rati Those plant tours provided a wonderful opportunity for the participants to be able to view machinery used in the iron and steel making industry, refractory bricks, the electric furnace and the blast furnace etc., all of which were closely related to the Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd’s core businesses and therefore a very meaningful training program for the young employees who are our promising future leaders of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

April 6, 2010

The 1st Board of Directors Meeting for the year 2010 of Beijing Borui Dongmao Automobile Sale Service Co., Ltd was held.

On 6th April 2010, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials’ one of the Joint Venture Companies, “Beijing Borui Dongmao Automobile Sale Service Co., Ltd” had its first board of directors meeting at Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials’ Head Quarters in Tokyo.

The meeting was attended by the joint venture company’s Mr. Zhang Tong, Chairman and Mr Yang Xiaodi, Director both of them were originally from a company called Automobile Repair Company of Beijing (=ARCB) which was the Chinese joint venture partner and Mr Tanaka (a director of the joint venture company and also President & CEO of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.) and all the participants approved the joint venture company’s budget for the year 2010. After the meeting, the participants paid courtesy call to meet with Mr Machida, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo Boeki Ltd..

This Joint Venture Company is authorized to run the automotive 3S business for Guangzhou Toyota Motor Company’s Products (Sales, Spare Parts Supply, Servicing of vehicles/S Parts) in China. Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. launched these Automotive 3S Businesses aiming to explore new business opportunities in the growing Chinese Automotive industry.

March 26, 2010

The year 2010 Business Development & Growth Planning Conference

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. held a Business Development & Growth Planning Conference on 26th of March 2010.

Succeeding from last year, this conference became the 2nd conference and opened with chorus of Tokyo Boeki’s 10 (Ten) Business Philosophies by all the company’s staff in line with “the Spirit of the Foundation for Tokyo Boeki Group Companies”. Thereafter Mr Tanaka, President & CEO announced “the principle of Challenge 2014, that is the company’s directions of business development and growth plan”. All the staff then once again vowed that they would steer themselves to work towards achieving that plan.

In the conference, each Divisions/Departments of the company, Tokyo Boeki Australia, Tokyo Boeki China and Tokyo Boeki Beijing individually made a presentation of their future five years business vision and their business plan for the year 2010.
The conference ended on a worthwhile and fruitful note with all participants shared information and learnt from the issues/troubles that occurred in 2009 all parties were assured of a clearer direction for implementation of specific and effective measures resolving the future issues ahead of achieving the target of “Challenge 2014”.

In the conference this year, the company introduced the Web Conference System to allow third parties to join the conference in real time. Most of the staff of the group companies’ branches within Japan and the companies’ subsidiaries/group companies in overseas, such as Australia, Shanghai, Beijing, Vietnam used this system and participated the conference this time.

March 26, 2010

Company Initiation Ceremony for the Fiscal Year 2010

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. held a Company Initiation Ceremony and welcomed three new employees prior to the company’s Business Development & Growth Planning Conference on 26th of March 2010.

Mr Tanaka, President & CEO directly handed them a letter of appointment. He then advised them to learn the basics of business, to master a professional spirit and to become a globally first class businessmen. He also offered them the highest encouragement to acquire one of Tokyo Boeki Group Companies’ Spirit of the Foundation that is “a mindset to overcome all obstacles” so as to be men of new business development for the company.

Three new employees individually expressed their ambitions and were received with warm applause by all the staff of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

March 8, 2010

Introducing MAZE Water Tank, an environmentally friendly product from Australia.

From Australia, one of the driest continents on earth and leading water-saving nation, we at the Building Materials Department of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd. have commenced marketing a superior design, eco-friendly water tank. A long ongoing drought has dramatically raised Australian public awareness of the need to save water, turning water tanks into a popular method to harvest and use water at home.

“MAZE Water Tank” is compact in size and easily fits and attaches to Japanese standard downpipes. The versatile MAZE Water Tank supplies water to your garden and enables you to wash your car at home.
It truly stands as the champion of all eco-products, as it captures nature’s gift of rain water.
You will help save the environment, as well as money with MAZE!

March 4, 2010

Coming Soon ! MIDLAND to join TOKYO BOEKI STEEL & MATERIALS’ product line-up !

TOKYO BOEKI STEEL & MATERIALS recently secured a deal with MIDLAND BRICKS and will start handling their products into the Japanese market from 1st of April, 2010.
MIDLAND BRICKS (Perth, W.A.), belongs to the BORAL LTD group (a general building materials manufacturer in Australia) the same Boral Bricks TOKYO BOEKI STEEL & MATERIALS has been representing in Japan for the past 20 years.
Similar to Boral Bricks (East Coast of Australia), MIDLAND BRICKS manufactures Bricks and Pavers, and has a significant presence in Japan with many landmark projects already completed.

Under the current economic climate where public spending has been drastically cut and the new building starts are on decline, TOKYO BOEKISTEEL & MATERIALS, in the face of adversity, has taken up the challenge to increase market share within the building materials industry. Our aim is to further enhance the level of service to our clients and at the same time continue to search for new business opportunities.

January 16, 2010

New Year Conference of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd (=TBSM) & Group Companies was held.

On 16th January 2010, TBSM organized the group company’s New Year conference to discuss the business development and growth plan of “Challenge 2014” where all of the people from TBSM’s Business Development Departments/Teams, Business Administration Dept. and representatives of Japanese Domestic Branches, TB Australia, TB China, TB Beijing and TB Vietnam assembled together.

Tokyo Boeki Ltd announced a target to achieve \1 trillion annual turnover by all the group companies within 30 years time, supporting this TBSM set its own target to achieve \500 billion turnover.
The “Challenge 2014” will be a very important milestone for TBSM to get to the great goal and the vision of Tokyo Boeki Ltd. in 30 years time.

TBSM is the core company of Tokyo Boeki Ltd’s group companies. Having such pride, all of us at TBSM would like to push forward with our work throughout the year.
At the time of TBSM’s foundation, TBSM had our own Brand of Chinese Refractory and Ford business only, but last year TBSM succeeded in establishing a new Brand for our business portfolio, that was the Jincheng Coal Complex Project in Shanxi Province, China.
In order for TBSM to succeed in this Jincheng Project, it will require that both TBSM and TB China/TB Beijing will work in close cooperation with each other and TBSM group companies will establish a structure for the project in the functions of financing and transportation.

TBSM’s strategy of focusing on 4 markets bases in Japan, China, Australia and Vietnam is in the right direction in line with current economic trends.
There is no doubt that Asia will be the future growth market where most of the world population is densely concentrated.
We at TBSM now change the concept of Japanese domestic demand and demand external from Japan. This means that we now regard Asia as being one country and with this new concept we will tackle and develop the business. TBSM will also plan to progressively open representative offices in Calcutta, India and in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Having confidence in what we have done at TBSM, let’s make a sound stride.

January 7, 2010

Shanxi Jincheng Coal Chemical Development Co.,Ltd. First Board Meeting

On 7th of January 2010, the first Board meeting of Shanxi Jincheng Coal Chemical Development Co., Ltd which is a joint venture company of Tokyo Boeki (China) was held in the Baijin Group’s office in Shanghai. Mr. Kong Qing Ran (Chairman), Mr. Li Gang (Director) from Baijin Group and Mr. Masayoshi Tanaka (President & CEO, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials), Mr. Fan Hua (Chairman, Tokyo Boeki China) attended the meeting. All the Board members reaffirmed that the joint venture company should be expanded and developed toward the completion of the plant and the initial coal shipment expected in June 2012.

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials aims to contribute to the development of Chinese industry by joining this environment-conscious coal complex project. Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials also aims to supply our products not only to the Chinese domestic market but all throughout Asia.

January, 2010

2010 New Year Speech by Mr. Tanaka, President of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year to all of you!
I hope that you have started the New Year with a renewed spirit.

Our current goal is to become a global enterprise with an annual turnover of \100 billion by March 31, 2014 targeted in our “Challenge 2014”. Therefore, at the beginning of the New Year, I would like all of you to strengthen your determination for the full achievement of your business growth and development plan for “Challenge 2014”.

We will aim to become a global business development enterprise by implementation of the strategy of multi-market bases and diversification for our “Challenge 2014”. We will accordingly promote the establishment of 4 markets bases of Japan, China, Australia and Vietnam.

Since our company’s foundation in 2006, we have been aiming to be a global enterprise and also we have been growing up as well as improving our balance sheet so that we can make any new investments.
In 2010, we will continue to explore investment opportunities aggressively.

〔Investments in planning, 2010〕
・Establish a JV for Electrolytic Manganese Metals in Vietnam
・Establish a Coal Marketing Company in China
・Capital increase for Qinghai Hualong Donglong Silicon Carbide Co., Ltd.
・Capital increase for Hangzhou Jinjiang Dongyue Stainless Steel Industry Co., Ltd.

〔Opening of New Representative Offices in planning, 2010〕
・Calcutta, India
・Jakarta, Indonesia

In the growing market of Asia, we will reinforce the China market by focusing on Shanxi and Shandon provinces. In other areas of Asia, we will promote business development in Vietnam as well as finding a market in India and Indonesia.

Achievement of “Challenge 2014” will be our goal and mission. In order to do so, we will make an appropriate strategy and business investment and then we will steadily generate and grow our earnings. By gathering all of your strength and ability we can evolve Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd., make a brighter future for the company and bring all of us more happiness.

By sharing the principle of 「the Management Philosophy」 and 「Challenge 2014」as the company’s goal, we will charge throughout the year 2010.

Lastly, I wish all of you the best of health, happiness and prosperity throughout the New Year.

Thank you for your attention.