OREANDA-NEWS. Sumitomo Corporation's fiscal 2013 welcoming ceremony for new staff was held at the Company's head office on Monday, April 1, 2013. In a tense atmosphere, a total of 171 new employees (136 career-track personnel and 35 clerical personnel) eagerly listened to the President's speech.

Kuniharu Nakamura, President and CEO, following words of congratulations, began his speech by citing Sumitomo's Business Philosophy and the Sumitomo Corporation Group's Management Principles and Activity Guidelines, which he introduced as the essential principles for all Sumitomo Corporation employees to persistently bear in mind. Then, stating the belief that the most valuable asset for a trading company is competent personnel, he emphasized the importance of developing as business professionals by learning independently instead of waiting to be taught, and thinking and acting on their own.

For that purpose, the President advised the freshmen to capture every possible learning opportunity, through training programs and work experience, to build up solid skills and capabilities that can contribute to the future growth. The welcome speech concluded on an inspiring note by encouraging the new hires to work together upholding the slogan "Be the Best, Be the One" that represents the company's aspiration of creating unique value that cannot be imitated by any other company.

The top executive address was followed by the provision of letters of appointment. The present 171 new employees received the letters directly from the President one by one.