Profile: MITSUI & CO., LTD. (MITSY.O)

MITSUI & CO., LTD. is a Japan-based trading company. The Company is engaged in the sale, import, export, offshore trading and manufacture of various products in the fields of iron and steel product, metal resources, machine and project, chemical, energy, food and retail, as well as consumer service and information industry. It is also engaged in the provision of retail, information communication, technology, transportation and finance services, the development of energy and raw iron resources, in addition to the investment in new businesses such as information technology (IT), biotechnology and environmental technology businesses. In December 2009, the Company sold its electricity generation assets in Mexico to Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

The company engaged in a range of global business activities including worldwide trading of various commodities, arranging financing for customers and suppliers in connection with its trading activities, organizing and coordinating industrial projects, participating in financing and investing arrangements, assisting in the procurement of raw materials and equipment, providing new technologies and processes for manufacturing, and coordinating transportation and marketing of finished goods. Its trading activities as a general trading company include the sale, distribution, purchase, marketing, supply of and dealing in a wide variety of products and services, as a principal or an agent, including iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, machinery, electronics, chemicals, energy-related commodities and products, food products, textiles, general merchandise and real estate. The Company also participates in the development of natural resources such as oil, gas, iron and steel raw materials. Recently, it have been proactively making strategic business investments whereby it invest its own capital and provide management expertise in the development of joint ventures and new enterprises in certain industries such as information technology (IT), energy saving and environmental solutions business.

The Company operates in eight business segments: iron and steel products segment, mineral and metal resources segment, machinery and infrastructure projects segment, chemical segment, energy segment, foods and retail segment, consumer service and IT segment, and logistics and financial markets segment.

Iron and Steel Products Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the iron and steel products segment include Mitsui and Co. Steel Ltd., MITSUI BUSSAN KOZAI HANBAI CO., LTD., MBK Steel Products West Co., Ltd., Regency Steel Asia Pte Ltd. and Bangkok Coil Center Co., Ltd. The associated companies in the iron and steel products segment include Nippon Steel Trading Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Bao-Mit Steel Distribution Co., Ltd.

The iron and steel products segment is engaged in the manufacturing of steel sheet for automobile and electric appliances, steel plates for shipbuilding and heavy electric machinery, galvanized steel sheet and tin mill products; steel products for oil and gas projects including OCTG and line pipe; wire rod, specialty steel and bearing; steel bars and other steel construction materials, as well as semi-finished items including steel slabs to be processed into steel plate and sheet and steel billets to be processed into steel bars and wire rods. Gross profit and net loss for this segment for the year ended March 31, 2009 were ¥52.2 billion or 5.1% and minus ¥4.8 billion or minus 2.7% of our consolidated total, respectively.

Mineral and Metal Resources Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the mineral and metal resources segment include Mitsui Iron Ore Development Pty. Ltd., Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty. Ltd., Japan Collahuasi Resources B.V., Mitsui Raw Materials Development Pty. Ltd., Mitsui Bussan Metals Co., Ltd. The associated companies in the minerals and metal resources segment include Valepar S.A., Coral Bay Nickel Corporation, SUMIC Nickel Netherlands B.V., Nippon Amazon Aluminum Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Erdos Electric Power & Metallurgical Co., Ltd.

In the mineral and metal resources segment, the Company secure mineral and metal resources by making investments in overseas resource projects. The mineral and metal resources include iron ore, metal scrap, ferro-alloys, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, aluminium, alumina and construction materials. It also provides recycling solutions.

Machinery and Infrastructure Projects Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the machinery and infrastructure projects segment include MBK Project Holdings Ltd., Mitsui & Co. Plant Systems, Ltd., Mitsui Power Ventures Limited, Mit Power Canada LP Inc., Mitsui Renewable Energy Europe Limited, Mitsui Rail Capital Holdings, Inc., Mitsui Rail Capital Europe B.V., Mitsui Rail Capital Participacoes Ltda., Mitsui Gas e Energia do Brasil Ltda., Cactus Energy Investment B.V., Drillship Investment B.V., Mitsui Water Holdings (Thailand) Ltd., Atlatec Holdings, S.A. de C.V., Tokyo International Air Cargo Terminal Ltd., Toyota Chile S.A., Mitsui Automotive North America Inc., Mitsui Automotive Europe B.V., Mitsui Automotive CIS Investment B.V., PT. Bussan Auto Finance, Mitsiam Motors Co., Ltd., Komatsu-Mitsui Maquinarias Peru S.A., Lepta Shipping Co., Ltd., Clio Marine Inc., Orient Marine Co., Ltd., Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd. The associated companies in this segment include Toyo Engineering Corporation, IPM Eagle LLP, IPM (UK) Power Holdings Ltd, PT. Paiton Energy, Compania de Generacion Valladolid S. de R.L. de C.V., AES Jordan HoldCo, Ltd, Toyota Canada Inc., Penske Automotive Group, Inc., PT. Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing, Komatsu Australia Pty. Ltd.

The Machinery & Infrastructure Projects Segment consists of three business units, the Infrastructure Projects Business Unit, the Motor Vehicles Business Unit and the Marine & Aerospace Business Unit.

The Infrastructure Projects Business Unit covers a wide range of involvement in project development, construction, business operations and management, implementation and related services, including electric power projects, energy related infrastructure projects, water supply projects, railway transportation-related projects, social infrastructure projects, basic industry projects and environment-related projects.

The Motor vehicle Business Unit is engaged in the import and export, assembly and manufacturing, distribution and dealership of motor vehicles, motor cycles and their parts, and retail finance; as well as the trading of industrial machinery including mining and construction equipment, production equipment and machine tools.

The Marine & Aerospace Business Unit is engaged in the marketing and sale of cargo vessels, tankers, container vessels, refrigerator vessels, automobile carriers, LNG and LPG carriers, Floating Storage and Offloading (“FSO”) and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (“FPSO”) facilities; as well as passenger aircraft and cargo aircraft, helicopters, aircraft engine, defense-related equipment and aerospace systems, leasing of passenger aircraft and cargo aircraft and aircraft engines.

Chemicals Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the chemicals segment include PT. Kaltim Pasifik Amoniak, Japan-Arabia Methanol Co., Ltd., Mitsui Bussan Solvent & Coating Co., Ltd., Mitsui Agri Science International S.A. N.V., Mitsui Bussan Agro Business Co., Ltd, Daiichi Tanker Co., Ltd., Mitsui Bussan Plastics Trade Co., Ltd., Daito Chemical Industries, Ltd., Shark Bay Salt Pty. Ltd., Mitsui Electronics SCM (China) Co., Ltd.

The Chemical Segment consists of the First Chemicals Business Unit and the Second Chemicals Business Unit.

The First Chemicals Business Unit provides petrochemical products, including methanol, ammonia, Ethylene Dichloride (“EDC”), Vinyl Chloride Monomer (“VCM”), caustic soda, polyurethanes, olefins, aromatics, Styrene Monomer (“SM”), Para-Xylene (“PX”), Purified Terephthalic Acid (“PTA”), Monoethylene Glycol (“MEG”), Acrylonitrile (“AN”), acetic acid, phenol, acetone, bisphenol A, Methyl Methacrylate (“MMA”), nylon and acrylates intermediates; specialty chemicals, including detergent intermediates and oleochemicals, colors & functional chemicals, rosin and aroma chemicals, as well as fertilizer, such as Urea, ammonium sulfate, phosphate rock, diammonium phosphate, fused magnesium phosphate and potash.

The Second Chemicals Business Unit provides inorganic chemicals, including sulfur, sulfuric acid, salt, titanium ore, iodine soda ash, caustic soda, catalyst, industrial gas and titanium oxide; as well as plastics, including electrolytic copper foil, optical fiber, polyvinyl chloride, elastomers, polyolefin, ABS resin, engineering plastics, polystyrene, plastic food containers, wrapping materials, elasticizer, stabilizer, pigment, as well as solar module components and solar modules.

Energy Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the energy segment include Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Limited, Mitsui E&P Middle East B.V., Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd., MitEnergy Upstream LLC, Mitsui Gas Development Qatar B.V., Mitsui Sakhalin Holdings B.V., Mitsui Coal Holdings Pty., Ltd., Mitsui Oil (Asia) Hong Kong Ltd., Mitsui Oil Co., Ltd., Mitsui Marubeni Liquefied Gas Co., Ltd. The associated companies in the energy segment include Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty. Ltd., United Petroleum Development Co., Ltd., BHP Mitsui Coal Pty., Ltd.

The Energy Segment consists of two business units, Energy Business Units I and II.

Energy Business Unit I is engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas, coal, uranium and other energy resources; trading of oil, petroleum products, coal, uranium and other energy resources; petroleum refining and marketing of gasoline, LPG and other petroleum products in the Japanese domestic market, and development of biomass ethanol and other next generation energy sources.

Energy Business Unit II is engaged in the development of LNG projects; trading of LNG and development of new gas commercialization technology (natural gas hydrate etc.).

Food and Retail Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the food and retail segment include Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd., PRI Foods Co., Ltd., San-ei Sucrochemical Co., Ltd., Mitsui Foods Co., Ltd., Toho Bussan Kaisha, Ltd., Vendor Service Co., Ltd., Wilsey Foods, Inc., Mitsui Alimentos Ltda. and MCM Foods B.V. The associated companies in the food and retail segment include Mikuni Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd., Mitsui Sugar Co., Ltd., The Kumphawapi Sugar Co., Ltd. and Multigrain AG.

The food and retail segment is engaged in the import and domestic/offshore trade of wheat, barley, soybeans, corn, rapeseed, raw sugar and rice; processed foods such as canned products, frozen foods and condiments, liquor, beverages such as coffee, tea and juice and dairy products; as well as foodstuffs such as marine products, stock farm products and vegetables. The segment also provides the support services, such as supply chain management including logistics management, and product planning and development for retailers

Consumer Service & IT segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the consumer service and IT segment include Mitsui Bussan Inter-fashion Ltd., Bussan Real Estate Co., Ltd., Mitsui Bussan Woodchip Oceania Pty. Ltd., Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd., J-SCube Inc., Mitsui Electronics Inc. and MBK Distribuidora de Produtos Eletronicos Ltda. The associated companies in this segment include QVC Japan Inc., AIM Services Co., Ltd., Sumisho & Mitsuibussan Kenzai Co., Ltd., Nihon Unisys Ltd., Moshi Moshi Hotline, Inc. and T-GAIA Corporation.

This segment is comprised of the First Consumer Service Business Unit; the Second Consumer Service Business Unit; and the IT Business Unit.

The First Consumer Service Business Unit is engaged in media-related business including broadcasting, content service, television shopping channels and internet-based marketing service; service and outsourcing businesses including contract food service, uniform rental, facility management, and temporary personnel service; fashion business including global procurement service of apparel and accessories, participation and management of joint ventures with fashion brand holders, and other brand related business including importing, licensing and marketing; as well as the provision of consumer goods including beauty and health-related products and interior and living items.

The Second Consumer Service Business Unit is engaged in real estate business including development of housing, office buildings and commercial facilities, and related services such as senior service housing, self-storage and service office business in both Japan and overseas; as well as industrial materials such as housing materials, wood chips, pulp & paper products, packaging materials and off-the-road tires for mines.

The IT Business Unit is involved in network and systems integration (“NI/ SI”) businesses; the provision of business process outsourcing services including enterprise information management and call-center services; mobile communication businesses including sales agency of mobile handset and telecommunications lines; distribution of mobile handsets; and development and sales of mobile content; electronics businesses including import and domestic trade of semiconductor devices and equipment/materials for semiconductor and liquid crystal displays; as well as display related businesses including export and trade of liquid crystal displays and parts.

Logistics and Financial Markets Segment

The Company’s subsidiaries in the logistics and financial markets segment include Mitsui & Co., Energy Risk Management Ltd., Mitsui & Co. Precious Metals, Inc., Mitsui Bussan Precious Metals (Hong Kong) Limited, Mitsui Bussan Commodities Ltd., Mitsui & Co., Principal Investments Ltd., MVC Corporation, Mitsui Bussan Logistics Holdings Ltd., Mitsuibussan Insurance Co., Ltd., Tri-Net (Japan) Inc., Tri-Net Logistics (Asia) Pte. Ltd. The associated companies in this segment include Mitsui & Co., Energy Risk Management Ltd., Mitsui & Co. Precious Metals, Inc., Mitsui Bussan Precious Metals (Hong Kong) Limited, Mitsui Bussan Commodities Ltd., Mitsui & Co., Principal Investments Ltd., MVC Corporation, Mitsui Bussan Logistics Holdings Ltd., Mitsuibussan Insurance Co., Ltd., Tri-Net (Japan) Inc., Tri-Net Logistics (Asia) Pte. Ltd.

This segment is composed of the Financial Markets Business Unit and the Transportation Logistics Business Unit. The Financial Markets Business Unit is engaged in the trading in various commodity derivatives such as precious metals, non-ferrous metals listed on the London Metal Exchange (“LME”), energy, grain and soft commodities; the development, origination and sales of financial products, investment in and portfolio management of financial products; financial equity investments including principal investment and venture capital operation; asset management business such as real estate fund (listed REIT and private fund) and infrastructure fund; as well as leasing businesses.

The Transportation Logistics Business Unit is engaged in the provision of International transportation services including combined multi transportation centering on container shipping, transportation of plants and other special cargoes, tramper shipping, logsitics solution services such as SCM, Warehousing and distributions; insurance agency services and insurance-related consulting; as well as logistics infrastructure projects, including port development projects in emerging countries, and transport-infrastructure such as railway and airports, among others.