Exclusive Interview with
SCAO Group Social & Logistics Infrastructure
BU GM Mr Tsuyoshi Kato
“Fortune comes in by a merry gate.”
Mr Tsuyoshi Kato
Asia & Oceania Social & Logistics Infrastructure Unit GM
Sumitomo Corporation Thailand Ltd
From the development of smart cities to rail projects to industrial parks, the Social & Logistics Infrastructure BU has touched the lives of many directly. Meanwhile societal expectations towards innovation, sustainability and digital transformation continue to evolve rapidly. How do you manage the diversity and dynamics of your business to ensure we stay ahead of change and create new value?
What do you imagine when you hear “Social & Logistics Infrastructure”? In fact, it is quite a diverse business space, and everybody may have a different answer. Since I got the assignment to be its BU head last year, I have been travelling around SCAO region to see the people on site (genba) to brush up my understanding on what is my BU.
Sustainability is not optional in all business domains. As Sumitomo Corporation, we are required to tackle with this challenge for society as a whole. The Social & Logistics Infrastructure BU is engaged in businesses closely related to people’s daily lives. I believe that this BU can provide a platform which leverages SC’s various capabilities to contribute to sustainability.
Gemalink: The largest deep sea container terminal in Vietnam
owned by Gemadept Corp
For example, by developing industrial parks, we can create jobs and contribute to socioeconomic development which improves people’s quality of lives. In addition to that, we can also promote the greening of industrial parks by installing roof-top solar panels for tenant companies to reduce CO2 emissions as part of our business. Further, we can provide efficient logistics services to improve the productivity of tenants. This BU’s mission is to serve as a platform to contribute to a sustainable society. It is, of course, not only through industrial parks development, but also our businesses in all social and logistics infrastructure fields, including smart city, railways, airports, ports, logistics and so on.
With the upcoming reorganisation in April by SC, this BU will become part of SC’s Diverse Urban Development Group together with the Real Estate SBU and is expected to expand its value chain further. It would be appreciated if you could consider how you can take advantage of the platform provided by this new group.
Working visit to BSEZ (Bangladesh Special Economic Zone) with colleagues
from Logistics Dept
Out of all the diversified projects you were involved in, which one left the deepest impression on you? How has it impacted you and/or your career?
The Social and Logistics Infrastructure BU businesses are both independent and interrelated. Country-wide infrastructure development is one of our important strategies. For example, in Bangladesh, we are aiming to participate in various infrastructure projects such as railroads, airports, and ports by leveraging the strong relationship with the country established through the development of power plants and industrial parks. For me, the most interesting and exciting part of the BU is to contribute to society, not only through the function of single SBU but also collaboration with other SBUs.
We got to know that travel and music are important parts of your life. Please share with us more about your love for travel and music, and the roles they play in your life
I joined SC with the desire to work overseas, and fortunately, I have been assigned to work overseas five times already. I have spent more than half of my professional life overseas. It is not an exaggeration to say that my life itself is a journey. As a matter of principle, I always try to learn the language of the country to which I am assigned. Of course, the international business language is English, but I feel that I can get to know our colleagues and stakeholders a little better by communicating in the local language. This is especially useful in casual conversations over drinks…
Music is another part of my life. I was a member of jazz orchestra in my university days. Moreover, when I was stationed in the Czech Republic, I was exposed to classical music for the first time and was so impressed. I drove to many cities such as Berlin, Vienna, Leipzig to find good concerts on my days off. Classical music is more composer and conductor oriented. It can be said to be a rather top-down style. Jazz music is more player oriented. It is rather agile and interactive. I think both approaches are important in business as well. A good leader is necessary, but at the same time, all members of the organisation have to interact proactively to create masterpieces. “Karaoke” could be another good musical tool for team building…
“Hanami” party with Non-Ferrous Metals, Chemicals and Fuel Transportation team
in 1994 in Tokyo (My 2nd year in SC)
Ethnic clothes party with Logistics Team of Ambatovy, Madagascar
Member of the Board of Gemadept Corporation, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Snap shot with Mr Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm Power at his home in Bangkok, Thailand
Playing bass in band with fellows in Tokyo
Inter-department dinner of SCTL in Bangkok, Thailand
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SNAPSHOT
I strongly believe in… I have good fortune
I spend most of my time.. working, drinking, golfing, sleeping
The food I crave most often is… “Larb Pet” Thai spicy minced duck salad and sticky rice with whisky soda
One personal rule that I never break is… to be honest to and to be tolerant of both myself and others
The thing that cheers me up whenever I think about is… the smile of my family
One thing I really want but can’t afford yet is… a holiday house on beach front and highland where I spend my day off with my family and friends
If I could go back in time, I would… see my ancestors
If I have enough money to live comfortably without having to work, I would… open my own jazz club and stay in to listen to music everyday
