31/01/2024 | COMPANY
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. has strengthened its European presence with the establishment of Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Europe) B.V., a dedicated regional company and headquarters in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
This strategic move reinforces SHI's commitment to Europe, a key market with approximately 60 businesses operating across its four core segments: Mechatronics, Industrial Machinery, Logistics and Construction, and Energy and Lifeline.
SHI President and CEO, Shinji Shimomura, and Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHI's Globalization Department, Toshiharu Tanaka, officially launched the new headquarters, along with senior representatives of SHI's European businesses.
The opening ceremony featured a traditional Japanese "Kagami biraki" sake barrel-breaking ritual, symbolising prosperity and good fortune for the future.
After the ceremony, guests who have supported on opening the office were welcomed and enjoyed a dinner at a local restaurant with a historical landscape in Amstelveen. It allowed networking opportunities and sharing stories in a relaxed setting. SHI colleagues also held a separate pre-event dinner, creating cross-company interactions and building bridges between previously unconnected parts of the European operations.
Unlocking synergies and enabling growth
SHI (Europe) B.V. will play a pivotal role in unlocking synergies across sales, service, and infrastructure, while promoting deeper collaboration and improved governance within the European businesses.
Its strategic location in the Netherlands, a neutral country with no other SHI presence and excellent connectivity throughout Europe and globally, positions it perfectly to serve as a central hub for the continent and the UK.
Our Purpose Statement
Another objective of the day was the daytime event. It provided an opportunity for all attending to undertake a workshop focused on SHI’s ‘Purpose Statement’ and the definition of its mission, vision, and values: enhance society and those within it with compassion through ownership and vision.
Europe is the first region kicking off the initiative. Senior representatives of the European businesses were involved in discussions around and to consider the implications and opportunities of ‘Purpose’ within their organisations.
Further workshops are planned and more details about the workshop and its background will be shared in the coming weeks, including how employees from throughout the European businesses will be involved in the future.
"Europe is a critical region for SHI, and this establishment underlines our unwavering dedication to effectively serving our European customers and driving growth across the continent," said Shaun Dean, Senior Vice President of SHI and Managing Director of Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Europe) B.V. "SHI Europe BV will act as a catalyst for innovation and growth, fostering enhanced collaboration and governance for European success amongst our businesses. It will unlock synergies across all functions, ensuring the Group's continued contribution to this dynamic marketplace to align SHI Purpose," he added.
A catalyst for the future
The launch of SHI (Europe) B.V. marks a significant chapter in the company's European journey, demonstrating its commitment to both individual business growth and the collective success of the group. This exciting development paves the way for a future of enhanced collaboration, innovation, and success in the vibrant European market.
