[June 16, 1980, Monday - Nihon Kogyo Shimbun]
Electronic printing ⑩ Newlong Seimitsu Kogyo
Newlong Seimitsu continues to grow steadily with a fifty percent share of the industry. The position of the double warrior of the electronics industry has also become a certainty.
“In the future, if there is a chance, I would like to have another factory.”
President Inoue is raising a new dream.
As we've seen, there are plenty of bright spots on the market. In addition, it has been seven years since Pioneer Newlong Precision pioneered this field, and replacement demand is expected soon.
There are also bright prospects for overseas markets. Currently, exports account for fifteen percent of the total, but Inoue is aiming to increase this to a constant twenty percent.
Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Southeast Asia are the main markets at present, but Hong Kong controls ninety percent of the electronics industry. In Taiwan and other countries, there are notable cases in which Japanese companies bring their businesses in along with their advances. Inoue proudly says that he has developed enough strength to respond to the needs of the American market. The United States is an advanced country in terms of screen printing technology, but in the past fifty years, Japan has established its own technological world.
"In terms of price, it's about half the price of the American one. If we were to expand into the market, it would probably be localized, but it would be good enough in terms of service. There was an American who wanted to sell us, so we went to the two-unit exhibition. We put it out, and one of them sold immediately.
Another thing is the active approach to China. Contact began during the Cultural Revolution, and has progressed from exhibiting at exhibitions to exchanging printed wiring technology. Koyama, managing director, has already visited China twice and is lending a hand in training Chinese engineers. In the future, if Japan's electronics industry actively exchanges technical assistance with China, Newlong Precision machines will inevitably follow suit. It can be said that the Chinese market, including the development of the Hong Kong route, is spreading in front of Inoue as a huge fertile field. Looking ahead to such a future, Inoue still stands still and does not lose sight of his feet.
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With the principle of "work hard, play hard", they are determined to maintain the policy of a small number of elites. Even now, business is running smoothly with a backlog of orders for the next four months. They have the opportunity and conditions to strengthen their physique, but they will calmly measure their physical strength and continue to follow the slow and sure route. In terms of strengthening human resources, the company has finally begun to show new moves, such as the systematic hiring of new employees.
On the other hand, they also pay attention to the development of the industry. Inoue says that although they are now in the position of the top manufacturer, they will protect each other's fields and follow the path of coexistence and co-prosperity. It is based on the recognition that it is the origin of the basic composition of the world.
Even inside the company, this basic understanding and attitude does not change. Even if they try to strengthen their organizational structure, it is basically a company that has been enlivened by all employees working together. It is said that he wants to continue to have the mindset and constitution of a town factory in a good way.
They will also pursue the concept of profit sharing. Under such circumstances, the idea is to make mutual efforts to improve technology and create a workplace that is worthwhile and worth living based on each person's self-awareness. Therefore, there are no problems such as measures for the elderly. Although there is a mandatory retirement age of fifty-five, Inoue calls out to the employees, "Let's work together as long as we can." And he's "the prime example of a longtime employee," he laughs.
"In this world, it's a serious game. I'm absolutely not allowed to be sloppy. But I don't want to do business to the point of making people cry."
"In short, it's sincere."
Inoue ended the interview with this firm statement.
(Titles of persons omitted)
<Written by Kunio Michida>
From June 3, 1980, to the 16th, over 2 weeks; Nihon Kogyo Shimbun (now:FujiSankei Business i.), reprinted with permission.
