Visions - Winter 2008 - 3

Chemicals Sumitomo Corporation and Wal-Mart Continue To Strengthen Their Bond SCOA President Michihisa Shinagawa and Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott Meeting Helps Bolster Current Relationship and Initiate New Business Possibilities S umitomo Corporation of Americas’ leader recently visited Bentonville, Arkansas with the senior management of The Hartz Mountain Corporation to meet with the leader of America’s most successful discount chain, Wal-Mart, listed as the No. 1 company in the Fortune 500 for 2007. Visiting Wal-Mart’s headquarters for the first time since assuming his role as GM for the Americas and President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation of America, Michihisa Shinagawa had a chance to meet with the CEO of Wal-Mart and reconfirm the company’s commitment to the important Pet Supplies business, and he looks forward to fostering future relationships across both these giants of business. Together with The Hartz Mountain Corporation Leadership (William Ecker, CEO;Yasuhiro Tsuji, EVP; and Tim Paskell,VP of sales), and SCOA representative Hirohiko Imura, Mr. Shinagawa met with H. Lee Scott, Jr., President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. at the Wal-Mart Headquarters in Bentonville,Arkansas on December 4, 2007. Mr. Shinagawa and Mr. Scott discussed the strong business relationship between Sumitomo Corporation and Wal-mart, and the opportunities to expand that relationship in the future. Mr. Shinagawa made a strong commitment to Mr. Scott that Sumitomo will look for more business opportunities with WalMart in the coming months and years, including possibilities in the areas of energy and manufacturing. Mr. Scott told Mr. Shinagawa that he expects Sumitomo to strengthen the value of Hartz Mountain, creating growth opportunities for both Hartz and Wal-Mart in the very important Pet Supplies market. (Left to right) GM for the Americas and SCOA President, Michihisa Shinagawa; President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, H. Lee Scott, Jr.; and EVP of The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Yasuhiro Tsuji. “Wal-Mart is a very important customer for Hartz,” Mr.Tsuji said.“But this was also a symbolic meeting for SC and Wal-Mart.We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Wal-Mart in the past, which now opens the door to greater mutual advantages and growing possibilities in our continuing relationship.” Hartz has been shipping a large number of new products to Wal-Mart as a part of strengthening its leadership position in the Pet Supplies market. In the important Animal Health market, Hartz will also be shipping its new line of OTC flea and tick protection products, Hartz Ultraguard, Ultraguard Plus and Ultraguard Pro for dogs and similar products for cats to Wal-Mart, as well as Hartz Training Academy brand of leak-proof training pads. Hartz is also helping Wal-Mart meet its promise to consumers to provide more environmentally-friendly products. Hartz is using more appropriate packaging, which runs parallel with Wal-Mart’s environmental initiatives. For instance, the Hartz Training Academy pads employ a “brick pack” design which uses 50% less shelf space, the innovative Hartz Ultra Guard “sidekick” displays decrease 45% of the corrugate used in a standard sidekick. Additionally, Hartz has committed to the overall elimination of PVC and phthalates from all products in its portfolio. For more information on The Hartz Mountain Corporation animal care products, visit their website at www.hartz.com. The Hartz Mountain Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCOA. Sumitomo Corporation of America Hartz Training Academy pads employ a "brick pack" design which uses 50% less shelf space. 3

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Visions - Winter 2008

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