Visions - Winter/Spring 2018 - 5

LEADERSHIP TEAM
MOBILITY
LEADERSHIP TEAM

Shinichiro "Shane" Wakasugi

General Manager, SCOA Automotive Group
How are our mobility and automotive companies helping your
business group create new opportunities for SCOA?
In this rapidly changing automotive industry landscape, we aim to create
new values by connecting/integrating/aggregating varying expertise that
Sumitomo Corporation (not just SCOA) and SC Group Companies own. It
could be a transformation of existing companies through new technologies, or an acceleration of the success/growth of new mobility companies
by leveraging SC Group's resources and networks.
Why is the business of mobility so important right now?
The simple answer is that mobility services have great potential of
growth. New technologies can provide more convenient and efficient options when it comes to people and goods, and this will bring revolutionary
changes to industries, people's lives, and society as a whole.
How are we able to keep up when it seems that the technology
changes so quickly?

TOKYO

NEW YORK

JAPAN

UNITED STATES

SANTA CLARA
CALIFORNIA

We don't try to keep up. Rather, we strive to stay one
step ahead for all stakeholders involved. Our integrated corporate strength allows us to gain knowledge in
a myriad of business areas, from technology to best
practices worldwide, so we have the power to assess
change and use the knowledge to our advantage.
We also employ our Silicon Valley Office and our Business Development
Group to find new opportunities with companies that have technology
that we can embrace.
Bowling Green

How does our longstanding reputation for integrity help us with
these new endeavors?
Sumitomo's history and stability assures our suppliers and customers
that we are rising to meet the challenges of the changing automotive
landscape. Sumitomo always keeps its eye on the horizon, but with both
feet firmly on the ground.

TRANSPORTATION

Kenichi "Kevin" Hyuga

TOKYO

NEW YORK

JAPAN

UNITED STATES

General Manager, SCOA Construction and Transportation Systems Group
How are these new companies helping your business group
compete in today's Construction and Transportation market?
Construction and mining machines are also shifting to autonomous and
fully connected systems. Those major equipment manufacturers that everyone knows are spending a lot of money in research and development,
to ensure a leading position in the industry. Besides their winner-take-all
initiatives, we have also our eyes on startup companies who are trying to
penetrate the market from different angles.
What do the new companies have that makes them great
companies to invest in or partner with?
Let's talk about VeriTread, for example. The company is an online
marketplace for heavy-haul transportation.

SANTA CLARA
CALIFORNIA

They have the vision and the targets to create new
ways of doing business. They are, therefore, very
simple and straight forward in making decisions,
and not impeded by much organizational complexity.
That is an advantage.
Bowling Green

How do you see the infrastructure and
businesses changing in the coming years?
Since infrastructure and transportation business areas in general
surely will be expanded with innovative technologies and new business models, our group will always keep our eyes open to find and
create new opportunities.

SILICON VALLEY

Shinjiro "Seth" Nishida

Director, Automotive Group, Silicon Valley Office
How is the Silicon Valley Office helping create new opportunities
for SCOA?
Having access to the startups, entrepreneurs, VCs, and universities and
the capability to screen the potential partners are of help to SC group
(not just SCOA). Further, having physical office as SCOA in the bay area is
opening many accesses to our colleagues.
We've also created S-NAVI, a startup data base for SC Group members.
Why is the business of mobility so important right now?
I believe it has been important ever since human kind desired to be transported. Business opportunity always exists where the essential demand is.
Now the demand is shifting to more flexible options for mobility service,
opening new opportunities for other industry players and startups.
What would you say is the future of the mobility companies you

TOKYO

NEW YORK

JAPAN

UNITED STATES

SANTA CLARA
CALIFORNIA

are watching and sometime investing in?
Whether the companies are software company,
hardware + software company, aftermarket service
solution, etc, I see majority of the new companies
working closely with the traditional OEMs, Tier-1 and
service companies, as that is the fastest way to make
it in scale. However, our relationships will be more as equal business
partners rather than the usual customer/supplier relationship.
Bowling Green

How does our longstanding reputation for integrity help us with
these new endeavors?
It certainly provides a good image to a startup and entrepreneurs that
Sumitomo is not just an investor but a strategic investor, having 400 years
of history in enhancing our business model to expand and progress all
these years.
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Visions - Winter/Spring 2018