In this issue, we feature our purchasing department (PD).

As its name implies, the primary role of PD is to buy all the equipment, materials and supplies necessary to manufacture our vessels. Sounds easy? Absolutely not, because demands from other departments are contradictory by nature : PD always has to take into account quality and handling ease on one hand, and cost-effectiveness on the other hand.

Selecting appropriate products and suppliers, ordering, controlling delivery schedules, taking deliveries, warehousing, storing and retrieving, inputting and analyzing the data, formulating short/long term purchase programs, managing supply chains ... We are sure you will find nothing spectacular in PD's tasks, but PD does probably assume key role in Kyokuyo Shipyard.

Our PD has made various challenges, seeking better results. Introduction of "on-time delivery system" is a good example. They also pursue efforts to boost percentage of direct deals with non-Japanese (and non-Japanese-speaking) manufacturers, including Wartsila, without any intermediary. Furthermore, the number of staff was reduced to no more than 6, as from April, 2003.

Increasing demand for various new skills, reduced staff, and unchanged responsibilities have made PD's job harder than ever. But the team seems to know how to face the challenge. According to a PD member, it is more difficult to leave his work at the office, than to carry out his job. "One of our main concerns", he added, "is that we tend to spend much money for hobbies to change our pace."