Material Issue 8

Related SDGs

Basic Policy

In the fields of forestry and wooden construction business, where tradition and experience have been emphasized, it is necessary to raise economic efficiency and increase added value through market reforms such as DX and innovation, in view of the situation such as decrease and aging of main players, technological advancement and globalization, and future demand expansion. Global acceleration of digitalization in procurement, design and construction of buildings, utilization of technology and AI technology, and digitalization of end consumers, delayed responses can result in cost disadvantages compared to competitors and can lead to loss of customer contact and opportunities to win new customers.

The Sumitomo Forestry Group aims to ensure quality and quantity of wood resources and provide them with high added value by improving efficiency of sales activities and supply chains through DX and innovation. In the field of elderly care business, which faces similar challenges, we will introduce innovations to increase added value and improve operational efficiency, such as user safety and security.

Impact on Society and the Environment

Management of Material Issue 8 (FY2023)

In Mid-Term Sustainability Targets 2024, Material Issue 8 is divided into 3 evaluation indicators, and management is carried out by incorporating them into annual activity policies and measures of the management department. We also assess the impacts that the material issue has on society and the environment.

DX related

In the timber and building materials distribution sector, delivery slips are sent to customers, and we are working to reduce the use of paper delivery slips and improve the efficiency of paperwork in line with the shift to electric transmission.

In fiscal 2023, 867companies (introduction rate of 62%) introduced the system, compared to the planned 770 companies (introduction rate of 55%). In the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)outbreak in fiscal 2020, the need to work in a telework system environment increased employee awareness of data transmission, contributing to higher adoption rates. Reduction of simple input work for documents like delivery slips through the use of digital technologies such as RPA and OCR also progressed steadily. We are currently promoting "RPA Citizen Developer," which allows non-specialist employees to develop RPA systems that were previously developed by professionals with specialized knowledge. IT Divison is playing a central role in training employees for RPA development.
The number of facilities with sensor equipment installed in the elderly care business increased by one to 19 with the opening of new facilities in 2023. In fiscal 2024, we plan to continue to promote the introduction of monitoring sensors at all our facilities.