TOP INTERVIEW
Top Interview
Toshiyuki Komatsu, the young President Director of Komatsu Kogyo, whose company has over 60 years of know how experience, is continuing to seek out the unlimited possibilities in bolstering its manufacturing methods.
I asked the President Director about how he feels towards his fellow workers, who along with him, carry the responsibility of the Komatsu name into the future.
Q. Please tell me about the vision that you and your employees have ?
We Need to Tell The World About The Pride in Being Japanese.
Currently in this world where we see nations on the rise, it is my belief that we, as a car part producing company, proudly manufacture products that are accepted all over the world. We are also manufacturing car parts in Indonesia as well as in Japan. From now on, as the overseas demand is growing, we intend to meet these demands by further expanding our production in Indonesia. Domestically we have always been deeply rooted in the development and progress of our technology. We believe to place emphasis on both domestic and overseas production. Through these actions we feel that we can show the world how much the city of Iwata has come in terms of technology, information and knowledge in car making, and in addition what it means to be Japanese.
Motorization and economic growth are steadily moving forward in rising nations. We, too, with a global view, would like to lend a helping hand and contribute to the international community.
Q. In aiming at the world market, what are the advantages of Komatsu Kogyo ?
As We Are One Of The Smaller Companies, Our Ability to Challenge Ourselves is The Source Of Our Strength.
I believe that small and medium sized companies have the upper hand. Even if you don't see any positive results, you can forge yourself into developing new ideas. This is what large companies cannot do. Cold forging is in our realm of work here at Komatsu and there are many things that you can learn only by trial and error. "I don't know whether it will work, but I will try it." This is our way of thinking throughout our company, and though this mindset, we find our strength.
For the past 60 years in the field of transport machinnery we have used intergated machining sysytems with cold forging technology as the core to perfection. There are few self-reliant companies like us in Japan. I can say that we are extremely proud of the fact that we have reached a high level of self reliance.
Q. What type of person do you look for to employ at Komatsu Kogyo ?
Never Settle For The Present,
But Always Have A Mind To Change Yourself.
Not to be told what to do, but to have a firm belief in why one does something and must work is our mantra. What we really look for in an employee is to think "This is not my best. I can do better." To have a burning desire to achieve and constantly better oneself. If someone has a good training in the sciences that would be good. Also to have knowledge in CAD and blueprints with some technical knowledge would be better. Whether one has the deisre to learn and achieve is also extremely important.
Q. What do you think about evaluation and personnel development ?
We Have People Around 30 Years Of Age In Administrative Posts.
As promotions based on merit is highly evident in our society there are some cases where people in their early 30's have administrative posts. They are judged solely on the merit of their work. Therefore motivation in the company is high. In Komatsu Kogyo it is our goal to have people who take pride in contributing to society through their work with us. A person's growth depending on his or her will to succeed is our basic thinking. Here at Komatsu Kogyo we aim to have our workers become leaders in society by developing themselves through their work.