Global demand decline and operating restrictions caused by COVID-19

「グループ各社を担当する取締役は、月次または四半期ごとに「地域別ＰＤＣＡ会議」(国内、米州、欧州、アジア)を開催し、経営目標および年度の経営計画の進捗状況、課題およびその対応策を確認・検証し、指導助言を行い、取締役会に報告しております。」

「In addition, COVID-19, which began spreading worldwide in early 2020, had a major impact on corporate activity in Japan as well.」

「During the third quarter of the current fiscal year, economic activity normalised in various countries and the economy continued to recover gradually.」

「During the 6-month period ended 30 September, the external environment surrounding our group remained subject to ongoing measures against COVID-19, but the economy showed signs of recovery as economic activity normalised.」

「During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the economy showed signs of recovery as measures against COVID-19 continued and economic activity moved toward normalisation.」

「In addition, COVID-19, which began spreading worldwide in early 2020, had a major impact on corporate activity in Japan as well.」

「During the 9-month period ended 31 December, the external environment surrounding our group remained affected by the prolonged impact of COVID-19, but overall signs of recovery were seen, supported by the wider rollout of vaccinations and additional economic measures in various countries. In addition, uncertainty continued as new variants began to spread toward year-end.」

「The Group extended the Third Medium-Term Management Plan under “Sanwa Global Vision 2020,” originally scheduled to end in fiscal 2020, by 1 year through fiscal 2021. In addition to responding appropriately to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group continued to pursue the following strategies to complete those set out in the medium-term management plan whose execution was affected by the pandemic.」

「As a result, for the current consolidated fiscal year, the domestic business posted lower revenue as 三和シヤッター工業㈱ was affected by declines in core products, including heavy-duty shutters and building and condominium doors. However, efforts to reduce manufacturing, logistics and other costs narrowed the decline in profit. In the North American business, the strong housing market led to a substantial increase in opening and closing equipment, resulting in higher revenue in local-currency terms, but profit declined due to higher sales prices and costs for expanding sales through mass retailers. In the European business, the hinged-door business posted higher revenue due to the effect of newly consolidated subsidiaries, while the garage-door and industrial-door businesses struggled to grow, resulting in lower revenue and profit.」

「The external environment surrounding the Group deteriorated rapidly in Japan as the spread of COVID-19 led to a state of emergency being declared in April, and the construction market was also affected by suspensions at some sites. Although the state of emergency was subsequently lifted and signs of recovery emerged, the number of infections was trending upward toward year-end, and economic conditions remained difficult and highly uncertain. In Europe and the United States, economic conditions deteriorated rapidly following the spring outbreak and subsequently showed signs of recovery, but the resurgence of infections from autumn onward led to moves to tighten restrictions again, particularly in Europe, affecting economic activity.」

「Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our group has generally maintained operations as an essential business serving society, while implementing thorough infection-prevention measures, and is also working to meet demand with the post-COVID-19 period in mind.」

「In Japan, sales, administrative and other departments responded through staggered working hours and telework wherever possible, focusing on preventing the spread of infection. The plants have maintained operations without any significant impact to date. Although construction sites were affected by temporary suspensions in some locations, installation, repair and inspection work continued. In the United States, sales, administrative and other departments generally worked remotely. Although some plants temporarily suspended operations, they were not significantly affected and all plants maintained operations. In Europe, sales, administrative and other departments generally worked remotely, while plants in Italy, France, Spain and the United Kingdom suspended operations from mid-March through the end of April.」