Kobe Steel’s Welding Business to make organizational changes

Kobe Steel, Ltd.’s Welding Business will change the name of the Marketing Department to the Marketing Center and will make other organizational changes effective January 1, 2017.

The Welding Business is implementing a basic policy of strengthening the three “Ms” of marketing capabilities, monodukuri capabilities and manpower to achieve its goal of becoming “the world’s most reliable solutions company” under Kobe Steel’s Fiscal 2016-2020 Medium-Term Group Management Plan.

The environment surrounding the welding business is anticipated to see domestic demand gradually recovering centered on the construction industry. However, in overseas markets, demand in China, South Korea and Asia on the whole, North America and Europe is anticipated to continue being sluggish. With competition intensifying, uncertainty over the future outlook is increasing.

Under these conditions, it is important from a global standpoint to further strengthen marketing functions and activities, from market and product strategies by region and area to business planning and implementation. With further cooperation within the Group in Japan and overseas, the Welding Business aims to create products, services and welding solutions that customers truly seek. To promote a structure that can deliver KOBELCO’s welding products of value throughout the world, the Welding Business will reorganize the Marketing Department into the Marketing Center.