Basic Policy

The Sumitomo Forestry Group will pursue "Zero Defects" and take on the challenge of implementing new initiatives in line with the Sumitomo Forestry Group Quality Policy, a policy for further improving quality in its corporate activities, thereby providing products and services that bring joy to our customers and earn their trust.

All Sumitomo Forestry Group companies and business partners involved in the Group's operations are required to routinely engage in quality improvement activities as the foundation of corporate management in line with this policy.

The policy reflects the expectations of stakeholders for quality improvement, which were identified through a questionnaire survey of Group employees on their quality values and activities, as well as through interviews with executives, general managers, and major business partners.

In addition to disclosing this policy on the website, we also use various tools to promote the understanding and instillation of the policy, such as showing it on posters and publishing it in the employee handbook.

Product Safety and Quality Management in the Manufacturing Business

In order to meet legal requirements and customer requests, we are conducting a PDCA cycle to ensure and improve our product safety and quality at each stage of our business activities, from planning and product development through to production and sales. We are moving forward with continuous improvement in our manufacturing operations in order to elevate the quality of the products and services we provide.

Product Safety and Quality Control in the Domestic Manufacturing Business

Policy on Product Safety and Quality Control Measures

Sumitomo Forestry Crest has established a quality policy based on ISO 9001. Each of its facilities and departments has formulated specific quality targets and action plans in line with the quality policy, and is committed to maintaining safety and improving quality.

We are striving to improve our product safety and services by making more practical use of our ISO 9001-based quality management systems. We are also making preparations for transition to ISO 9001: 2026.

*4M is a method for discovering and solving problems by analyzing and improving the four elements of Man, Machine, Material, and Method. On the other hand, 3H is the words taken from the initials of HAJIMETE (first time), HENKOU (change), and HISASIBURI (after a long time), and are used to identify mistakes and other problems from these perspectives and take preventive measures in advance.

Product Safety and Quality Management in the Housing Business

Sumitomo Forestry believes that popularizing high-quality, durable houses as social assets is an important role that it can fulfill for the creation of a prosperous society. Based on this belief, and taking the opportunity of the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Long-life Quality Housing in Japan in June 2009, we formulated a basic policy for product safety and quality control in our housing and construction business in fiscal 2009.

Sumitomo Forestry is working to improve all aspects of home performance, including seismic resistance, durability and insulation efficiency; Net Zero Energy House (ZEH) and universal design; easy upkeep; and security and fire performance, aiming to provide customers with homes where they can live with peace of mind and comfort for many years to come.

Product Safety and Quality Management in the Housing Business

Product Safety and Quality Management in the Construction Business

Sumitomo Forestry broadly promotes the construction business that proposes the use of wood also in nonresidential fields such as offices, medical and welfare facilities, and public facilities. The Construction Business Sub-Division of the Real Estate Division provides high-quality buildings with consideration for user health, safety, and comfort by fostering the use of wood for medium- to large-scale buildings. It obtained ISO 9001 certification in September 2015 in response to customer expectations. Each of its plants sets tangible quality targets and a business action plan to ensure safety and enhance its product quality.

Quality Control in the Lifestyle Services Business

Quality Control for Lifestyle Services Business

The Sumitomo Forestry Group is engaged in a broad range of lifestyle-related services with a focus on elderly care businesses and other downstream businesses that support people's lifestyles.

In the elderly care business, Sumirin Care Life and Sumirin Fill Care provide private-pay nursing homes and care facilities for the elderly, as well as in-home services such as day care and home-visit nursing care services.
At Sumirin Fill Care, all employees, regardless of job category, participate in monthly general meetings at each facility to communicate internal initiatives and share information about residents' situations and challenges.

Sumirin Care Life conducts resident satisfaction surveys. If residents or their families makes any requests or comments through the surveys, the company holds a general meeting of the directors, managers, and station managers of its facilities. Also, related information is shared at the care service meeting held with the participation of its care managers, caregivers, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation staff, etc., and all participants work together to solve identified problems. In addition, manuals are being reviewed and standardized at each facility. This helps Sumirin Care Life to maintain and further improve the level of its caregiving services.