1999

Introduction of multi-company structure and executive officer system

In April 1999, the company transitioned from a divisional system to a multi-company structure, with 5 new companies established within the organization (later regrouped to 4 companies). The aim of this transition was to ensure not only profit-and-loss management but also to manage balance sheet and cash flow, clearly establish performance contributions, and to achieve speedy decision-making and appropriate action-taking through delegation of authority. In June 1999, the executive officer system was introduced, with the aim of clarifying duties and responsibilities and speeding up decision-making.