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November 18, 2011

Establishment of Kolkata office, India

We have pleasure in informing of the opening of our representative office in Kolkata, India on the 1st November. This step will be a cornerstone in our growth strategy of Raw Materials, Steel Export, Materials and Building materials business in emerging Indian market. We hope our success in India will contribute to the prosperity of both India and Japan.

November 16, 2011

The 6th Chinese Joint Venture Partners Conference in Hakone

On 11 November 2011, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd held the 6th Chinese Joint Venture Partners Conference. This time, the conference was held in Hakone, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, while past conferences had been held in China.

In addition to Mr. Chen Bing Yan, First Secretary of Economic & Commercial Office, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan, a large number of top executives from both Chinese and Japanese companies and joint ventures participated in the conference.

In contrast to the slowdown in the economies of the USA, Europe and Japan, Chinese development has been significant. With such changes in the global economy, this conference set ‘Current Situation & the Future of Each Industry’ as its main theme. 8 Chinese joint ventures made presentations, followed by presentations from Japanese companies of Mr. Ishikawa, Executive Vice President of JFE Holdings, Inc. Mr. Sakae, Director, General Manager, Raw Materials Div.-Ⅱ of Nippon Steel Corporation, Mr. Someya, President of Chuo Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd., Mr. Kiyokawa, President of Ube-Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Mr. Ogawa, Executive Vice President & Representative Director of Osaka Titanium Technologies Co., Ltd., and Mr. Shimahara, General Secretary of Japan-China Investment Promotion Organization (JCIPO).

In addition, the conference heard warm messages from Mr. Mimura, Representative Director & Chairman of Nippon Steel Corporation, Mr. Bada, President & CEO of JFE Holdings, Inc., Mr. Tomono, Representative Director & President of Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Mr. Machida, Chairman & CEO, Tokyo Boeki, Ltd.

The conference progressed with a simultaneous interpretation provided by an employee of our company in China.

A lot of constructive opinions were shared during question time, and the conference finished later than the estimated finish time. The conference proved to be very beneficial for both the Japanese and Chinese participating companies.

On the day after the conference, the participants went for sightseeing in Hakone in fine autumn weather to cultivate further friendships. The conference was very beneficial for our company, to progress along a path of globalization with China at the centre.

＜The participating joint venture companies＞
Jinan Ludong Refractory Co., Ltd.
Licheng District, Jinan
Shangyu Dongshun Refractory Co., Ltd.
Shangyu City, Zhejiang
Shenyang Toei Machinery Co., Ltd.
Shenyang, Liaoning
Qing Hai Donglong Silicon Carbide Co., Ltd.
Datong County, Qinghai
Beijing Borui Tomas Motor Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
Beijing
Hangzhou Jinjiang Dongyue Stainless Steel Industry Co., Ltd.
Fuyang City, Zhejiang
Guangxi Xiangzhou Jidong Maganese Co., Ltd.
Laibin City, Guangxi
Shanxi Jincheng Coal Chemical Industry Development Co., Ltd.
Luliang City, Shanxi

September 28, 2011

Participation in Japan-China Economic Association China Mission 2011

From 4 September 2011, Mr. Tanaka, president and CEO, visited Beijing as an official member of the Japan-China Economic Association China Mission 2011.

In this 37th mission, China showed a deep interest in the current revival and the Japanese economy’s future prospects after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, and China said they would like to support this revival continuously. In addition, in the meeting with Mr. Le Keqiang (Deputy Prime Minister) and Mr. Wan Jifel (Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade), relationships between the two countries and economic cooperation and trade was promoted.

In a general meeting with the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, opinions were exchanged on agendas such as a FTA between China, South Korea and Japan and the exporting of rare earth minerals. Another general meeting was held with the National Development and Reform Commission, where cooperation between the countries in saving energy and the environment was discussed.

Overall, discussions predominantly progressed with topics of interest being raised by the Japanese participants, while Chinese parties provided responses, with both parties offering suggestions for the purpose of achieving further economic cooperation between Japan and China in the future.

August 31, 2011

Establishment of ‘Engineering Management Team’ for responding to the needs of sites using refractory materials

July 19, 2011

Shanxi Jindi Coal Complex Project Progress Report

On June 29th, Shanxi Jincheng Coal Chemical Development Co., Ltd.(“Jincheng”), our JV company, held the 3rd Board Meeting at the head office of Baijin Group in Shanghai. Mr. Kong Qing Ran (Chairman), Mr. Li Gang (Director) of Jinchen, Mr. Masayoshi Tanaka (President & CEO, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials) and Mr. Fan Hua (Chairman, Tokyo Boeki China) attended the meeting. They reaffirmed that the project had been progressing well and that the partnership among all the shareholders would be strengthened further for future development.

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials will further contribute to the project through the activities such as coal sales, refractory materials and machinery supply via Xiangxi Dongjin Coal Ltd., a coal sales company which was established in April this year, as well as expand the coal and cokes business activities in China.

June 24, 2011

The Board Directors Appointment

Official Announcement at the 5th Annual General Meeting (held on 23rd of June 2011)
〔　〕means responsible role and area.

President and CEO
Mr. Masayoshi Tanaka

Director
Mr. Takuji Hiramatsu
〔General Manager, Materials Division〕

Director
Mr. Hiroshi Shigezumi
〔President & COO, Tokyo Boeki (Australia) Pty. Ltd.〕

Director
Mr. Fan Hua
〔President of Tokyo Boeki (China) Ltd.〕

Director
Mr. Philip G. Spender
〔Chief Audit Executive, Tokyo Boeki (Australia) Pty. Ltd.〕

Auditor
Mr. Toshihiko Kezuka (newly-appointed)

June 23, 2011

Signing of “Strategic Partnership Agreement” and “Agreement of TGG Alloy Steel Exclusive Sales Rights for the Japanese Market” with Vietnam Tay Giang Group

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials have signed a contract of strategic partnership with Tay Giang Industrial Group Joint Stock Company (TGG) and a contract to become the exclusive sales agent of TGG’s Manganese Ferroalloy for the Japanese market.

TGG is developing resources such as Manganese, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Antimony, Gold, Barite etc., and we will further develop the business together from now on. Regarding the production of electrolytic manganese metal, we have completed a feasibility study for establishing a joint venture plant and are planning to start construction within this year.

In addition, TGG has manganese mines at Cao Bang province and Ha Giang province, and is operating a Silicomanganese plant (capacity 20,000 tones per year) at Cao Bang province, with its capacity to be expanded to 40,000 tones per year by mid 2012. We have already commenced shipments of TGG Silicomanganese to Japanese steel mills.

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials and TGG will continue to drive business developments in the Japanese market and the global market.

June 23, 2011

Establishment of Ho Chi Minh City office, Vietnam

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials has established an office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to follow the establishment of its Hanoi office.
The percentage of the Vietnamese population under 20 years old is 40%, out of a total 87 million, therefore the domestic demand is expected to soar.In addition to that, Vietnam will join AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Association) and remove custom duties on 2015. The Ho Chi Minh City office will concentrate on the Steel, Resources and Materials businesses and development of investment projects. We will also strive for new business development in the ASEAN region, in cooperation with our Hanoi and Jakarta offices.

May 20, 2011

Establishment of the Coal Sales Company in Hunan, China

The Shanxi Jindi Coal Project is progressing as per schedule. The Nanyao Coal Mine has already commenced production (production capacity is 1.2 million tones per year), and the Chiyu Coal Mine will commence production within this year.
We have obtained the license for conducting coal business in China and have established a sales company for coal in Hunan, China to coincide with the commencement of this project’s coal production.
Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials joins this coal project in China, which is leading the world economic growth, and is expanding its coal trading in Asia & Oceania region.

(Coal Sales Company)
1. Company Name: XIANGXI DONGJIN COAL LTD.
2. Located: Jishou, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan
3. Established: April, 2011 (Accounting Period: 31 December)

Trading areas: Coal, Coke, Chemical products, Steel, Raw Materials, Bricks, Metals, Building materials, Machinery and Consulting Business.

May 12, 2011

Shenyang Toei Machinery Co. Ltd. is making a leap forward

On April 21, the 8th Board of Directors Meeting of Shenyang Toei Machinery Co. Ltd., a Chinese machinery processing and producing joint venture company, was held.

Since its establishment in 2004, Shenyang Toei Machinery Co. Ltd. has expanded its variety of goods and markets, following the rapidly developing Chinese economy. As a result, they have recently received orders and delivered their products which meet the high standard of quality not only to a Japanese blast furnace steel manufacturer, but also to a Chinese high-speed railway, wind-power generation and major Japanese heavy industries.

In order to make a leap forward, we reconfirmed that we would continue our business focusing on timely delivery and quality management as we have done throughout our growth path to date.

With advances in machinery techniques, the company has been able to deal with a broader range of customers than before. In the future, we will continue to create new markets and new customers with Shenyang Toei Machinery Co. Ltd.

April 8, 2011

Conference for restructuring each department 2011 FY was held

The “Conference for reforming our business structure” was held on 1st April at the start of the 6th year since the company’s foundation. The theme of the conference this year was reforming the business structure rather than the plan for business development in order to return to our management philosophy and reform our business structures from its roots.

We invited Mr. Machida, Chairman of Tokyo Boeki Limited, and Mr. Kawada, Director of Tokyo Boeki Limited, as the main guests and Mr. Shigezumi, President of Tokyo Boeki Australia, Mr. Fan, President of Tokyo Boeki China, Mr. Gao, President of Tokyo Boeki Beijing　also attended this conference from their respective overseas offices. In addition, staff members of our Australian office, Shanghai office, Beijing office, Hanoi office, Jakarta office and other local offices in Japan participated through a real time web conference system.

At the start of this conference, Mr. Machida made a speech regarding the “Management Policy” of Tokyo Boeki Group. Next, Mr. Tanaka, President of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd, presented points for the restructuring of organizations, strengthening of overseas sales networks and current issues and restructuring for each department as a guide of reform of business structure. Each department presented specific plans of reforming their business structure.
We confirmed the determination to improve our company to a global business company by overcoming the current difficult economic environment together in this fruitful conference.

April 8, 2011

Initiation ceremony 2011 FY was held

2011 FY Initiation Ceremony held on 1st April.

At the commencement of the ceremony, letters of appointment were presented by Mr. Tanaka, President, to seven new graduate recruits. At that time, the following words of encouragement and hope were given, “It is with great destiny that you start your careers under the worst crisis since World War Ⅱ. However, this situation is a significant step for tomorrow, it is a big step with hope. I am hoping that you will be staff that represent our company well and travel around the world for business.”

The new recruits also presented their ambitions in joining our company, and all of our staff expressed their welcome with applause.

March 15, 2011

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials join Northeastern Japan Pacific Ocean Earthquake “Victims Support Campaign”

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials, Building Material Department, with the help of S-BIC Company Ltd, our partner, has started the “Victims Support Campaign” whereby we will donate a part of sales during the 2 month period from 14th March to 13th May. We will make our best effort to maximize our support for victims through the sale of Boral Bricks and other items.

Details of this support can be seen at the home page of S-BIC Company Ltd.
https://www.s-bic.co.jp/topics/20110314_1.html

February 22, 2011

Acquisition of the exclusive sales right of Ferrochrome of IFM in South Africa for the Japanese market

We acquired the exclusive sales right of Ferrochrome from International Ferro Metals Pty Ltd. (IFM) for the Japanese market.

IFM has a chromium mine in Bushveld, South Africa and a ferrochrome factory; its capacity is 267,000 tons per annum. The first cargo based on this exclusive sales contract was shipped from South Africa last month.

Ferrochrome from IFM will continuously be supplied to Japanese users from hereon, mainly stainless steel manufactures and specialty steel manufactures.

January 17, 2011

2011 New Year Conference of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd was held

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials held a New Year Conference at the head office in Tokyo on the 15th of January and the fifty representatives from the head office, the sales offices across Japan, Tokyo Boeki (Australia) Pty. Ltd, Tokyo Boeki (China) Ltd., Tokyo Boeki (Beijing) Ltd and the representative offices in Hanoi, Vietnam and Jakarta, Indonesia participated.

In the conference, the overview of 2010 results were presented for each Company and division and the current progress of their businesses were evaluated against the growth plan “Challenge 2014”, which led to the thorough review of the details in the plan. Thus the conference ended in a productive and fruitful result.

This year, the coal complex in China will begin its coal production. The participants reaffirmed that all the Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials group companies will continue their concerted effort to lead this big project to success.

2011 New Year’s speech by Mr M. Tanaka President of Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials Ltd.

Dear Colleagues,
Happy New year to you all.
I would like to wish you all the best as we begin another journey of challenges in the year ahead.

The global economic crisis relentlessly continues to linger and no optimism is warranted on the economic recovery. A Number of Japanese corporations are facing fierce competition for survival in the global market. Under today’s ongoing changes in the economic situation, we, Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials, will make every possible effort to expand our business operations and conquer these difficult economic times by promoting globalization and creating unique value in our services.

Tokyo Boeki Steel & Materials will continue to pursue overseas investment operations and implement an overseas personnel strategy as two basic strategies in the Business Development Program, “Challenge 2014”, to achieve JPY100 billion annual turnover and JPY2.2 billion ordinary profit in 2014.
In the business investment area, we will further invest in and develop the existing eight joint venture businesses in China. I am pleased to announce that our Shanxi Jindi Coal complex (production capacity of 300 million tons) and Nanyao Coal Mine (production capacity of 1.2 million tons) will be complete and begin their operations this year. The Coal washery plant has already begun its operation, while the coke plant, power plant and the other facilities are scheduled to follow. Procedures to establish a coal marketing company are favorably in progress. Moreover, in the near future, a new joint venture company will be launched in Vietnam to produce Manganese metal and concrete blocks.

Summary of Investment Planning
- Steel service centre for local infrastructure industries in developing countries in Asia
- Manganese metal joint venture in Vietnam
- Investment in steaming coal mine in Indonesia
- Manufacturing and sales business of concrete blocks in Vietnam
- Facility expansion of Jinan Ludong Refractory Co. Ltd in China

To reinforce our global network in Asia, we established a representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia last year in addition to our 4 global locations (Japan, China, Australia and Vietnam). In addition, a representative is going to be stationed in Jinan, China early this year. As seen above, we will continue to explore opportunities to enhance our operations in Asia.

Very best wishes to you and your family for health, happiness and prosperity throughout the New Year.