Visions - Fall 2013 - (Page 5)

TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS Building and Fixing Railroads Using Steel Products with Integrity merica owes much of its success to its railroads. In its history, the country can measure its own industrial expansion through the growth of the railway infrastructure that connects her people and her businesses. The first transcontinental railroad in the United States, constructed across North America in the 1860s, was a lynchpin to establishing the infrastructure of the continent that we still utilize today by linking the railroad network of the eastern U.S. with California. This created a nationwide network that revolutionized the economy of the American West, as well as the rest of the country, creating the transit framework needed to grow a modern industrialized nation. A Much of the infrastructure in the U.S., however, is now over 100 years old, and need multi-billion dollar investments for repair. Rail systems in North America are constantly being fixed or replaced, and Sumitomo Corporation of America's (SCOA) rail supply business is part of that system of improvement. Early in his presidency, President Obama expressed his confidence in the future of rail transportation in the U.S., stating, "What we need ... is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st Century." The refurbishing of much of the country's railway infrastructure involves multiple business development opportunities for SCOA. The company's Railroad Products, Forging and Casting Unit in Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals Group consistently supplies rails and components in the U.S., taking its part in the upkeep of the country's railway infrastructure. "Railway products business is one of the most important segments in SCOA's Steel & Non-Ferrous Metal Group," Tatsuro "Teddy" Shiraishi, Product Manager of Railroad Products, Forging & Casting Unit said. "Our U.S. railway business started more than 30 years ago, and due to repeated and excellent work by our predecessors at SCOA, the business grew in scale. Now, with infrastructure needing improvement and strength in the U.S., we will try to expand our sales to meet that need." The demand for rail supply remains consistently high due to repair and fatigue issues common to railroads; all railways must continue to maintain their tracks for safety as well as efficiency. An estimated 80% of rail-oriented sales in North America involve maintenance of current railways, which marks a stable demand compared with the demand for other steel products. Shiraishi said that steel continues to be a reliable source for structural strength in various ways. "From what we understand," said Mr. Shiraishi, "the role of steel in the construction of structures and rail systems has remained consistent not only in the U.S., but all over the world. Steel is the biggest resource of raw material, with a reasonable cost, on earth, and is a basic material to build infrastructure. A stable supply is always required, and its reliable quality is indispensable. Also, we always expect constant technical development with steel." S u m i t o m o C o r p o r a t i o n o f A m e r i c a 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Visions - Fall 2013

Visions - Fall 2013
Contents
What is Infrastructure?
Interview with GM of Steel Group
Rail Supply Business
FOCUS: Union Pacific and Canadian National Ra
FOCUS: Arkansas Steel Associates
Structural Business
Interview with GM of Machinery & Power Business Group
Rail Systems Business
Automotive Business
FOCUS: New Mazda Plant
Aerospace Business
Renewable and Conventional Power Business
FOCUS: Desert Sunlight
Construction Equipment Business
Logistics Business
Corporate Social Responsibility - Clean Water Projects
The View from Washington

Visions - Fall 2013