Pages(3.2MB) - Toyobo

Company is moving forward to structurea more-autonomous model foroverseas operations by establishingand upgrading its business basesthat can conduct integrated overseasoperations, from product developmentthrough to manufacturing andmarketing.In line with this policy, during fiscal2013, in the field of automotive airbagfabrics, the Group began theproduction of these fabrics in Chinaand the United states. In the watertreatment membranes business, theGroup’s reverse osmosis membraneelements for seawater desalinationwere adopted in the largest suchplant in saudi Arabia based on theGroup’s entry into the local marketthrough a joint venture. In addition,in the shrinkable film market inChina, where growth is expectedgoing forward, the Group made adecision to invest in a joint venturein China through an alliance witha film manufacturer based in southKorea.Going forward, through allianceswith companies based overseas, theGroup will accelerate the developmentof its overseas businessoperations.(c) Improvementof the Product PortfolioThe activities of the Toyobo Groupcomprise many specialty businesses.To build positions of strength in eachof these businesses, we believe it willbe important to continue developingnew products and increasingvalue added.In 2012, Toyobo launched threemajor new products: “Nerbridge,”a conduit for regeneration of peripheralnerves that have been severedor damaged, an industrial film forLCDs that has special optical properties,and a new polyester shrinkablefilm for labels that improves productivitywhile also being thinner andstronger. Going forward, we will takeinitiatives to improve our productportfolio by expanding sales of thesenewly introduced products andaccelerating work on productscurrently under development.(d) Improving Asset EfficiencyIn the textile business, we havemoved ahead without hesitationwith structural reforms that haveinvolved downsizing and scrappingof facilities.Also, among specialty businesses, wewill withdraw from the tire cord businessat the end of December 2013.Through this and other measures,we will continue to emphasize assetefficiency as a major indicator ofmanagement performance.Operating Income¥50billionTargets3020.918.317.122FY3/11 3/12 3/13 3/14 (estimate)3/17 3/216 TOYOBO 2013 Annual Report