In recent years, Marubeni Specialty Chemicals Inc., Marubeni America Corporation and Marubeni Corporation, have been achieving robust growth. In particular in 2008, we had two events that we were proud to celebrate. Despite the emerging global recession, we achieved a record-setting year in sales and profit and secondly, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of our parent company, Marubeni Corporation. Such achievements reflected our solid financial resources and generations of dedicated professionals.
As we face the challenges in the 21st century, we look forward to distinguishing ourselves and raising the bar in every facet of our business. There are new opportunities to explore, existing business to expand and services to enhance both with our suppliers and customers. The establishing of the Detroit office in 2008, followed by the launching of the Tampa Division in Tampa, Florida and the Silicon Valley office in California in 2009 exemplified our commitment to this approach.
As always, our success depends upon the ability of each and every member of our company to provide the highest level of value-added services, not only to meet, but to exceed every aspect of our customers' requirements.
We look forward to building a lasting and mutually rewarding working relationship with you.
Yoshihiro Ono
President