EPISODEINTERVIEW
04

Following rules to protect quality. This leads to the power of trust.

Tokai Branch
Nagoya Nishi Office
Subgroup Leader

NORIFUMI TSUTSUMI

NORIFUMI

TSUTSUMI

Taking the initiative to create a stance of safety and security. This is the culture that we are proud of.

I've been working as a truck driver for around 30 years at this Nagoya location. I'm involved in activities such as driving tanker trucks to transport hazardous goods (liquid sulfur) from oil refineries to customers, driving large trucks like wing-body trucks for regular cargo deliveries, and accompanying new drivers to give them training and instruction. I attribute the fact that I've never experienced a major accident up to now to the culture of Konoike, which favors strict compliance with rules. At the time that I joined the company, when most cars just went flying around and the general attitude towards speed limits was somewhat lax, Konoike was by contrast very thorough and strict. The position that my senior employees held on being leaders in safety was driven into me as well. A very important point is the position of the company to take responsibility, whatever happens. Driving around you're just one person, but work isn't something that just one person does on his or her own. I believe that the idea of thinking of each other and lending a hand is one of Konoike's unique strengths as an organization, and is the foundation of Konoike's quality in safety.

NORIFUMI

TSUTSUMI

Observe procedures for reliable work. I have no need for any special episode.

I believe that the idea of going beyond expectations begins not with the customer, but first with how one might respond to expectations within one's own company. Observe procedures and maintain quality to achieve reliable work. This is tied to customer trust, and furthermore to our contribution to improving the strength of the brand. I want to continue being someone about whom customers might say things like, "If Tsutsumi's coming, we'll be all right. He's someone we can rely on." From my point of view, I'm just doing my job right by following the rules as usual, but it's great that, as a result, someone says something like that about me. I don't have a need for any special episode.

NORIFUMI

TSUTSUMI

Even in changing times, there are some important things that never change.

I've been handling the transportation and delivery of sulfur for about 15 years. Sulfur is one of the raw materials for sulfuric acid, which is itself essential to our everyday lives. Sulfuric acid has recently seen a lot of use in areas such as car batteries and the cleaning of electronic devices. In this way, if I think about how we're contributing to the growth of new industries in the future and I get a sense of the worth of my daily work that is different from what came before. I'm also careful to impart the importance of complying with rules when I train our new employees as well. This is something that will always be the same, no matter how much the times themselves change. Driving is one area, and there are many other places where we have to conduct verifications without overlooking or omitting anything. We also see a lot of people beginning work here after working at other companies, so everyone has their own habits. I do my best to have everyone follow Konoike's rules, without stepping on the pride of personnel who have prior experience. We're "a company where peace of mind is possible", where everyone on the team works together on our directions and initiatives. In my mind, this is the catchphrase for Konoike.