Kim Jae-won
Rock Tools Group, Sales Div.,
MMC RYOTEC Corporation

I majored in mineral resource and energy engineering at a university in South Korea, and I became interested in mine development when I participated in a contest to estimate the economic value of mines. Although no new mines are currently being developed in Japan, mining technologies have evolved and are being used all around the world.
So, I decided to study at a Japanese graduate school and researched AI and ICT technologies used in mine development. Afterwards, I wanted a job in the field of mine development, so I joined Mitsubishi Materials. I currently belong to the Metalworking Solutions Company, which manufactures and sells cemented carbide tools, and I am in charge of sales for North America of DIAEDGE Rock Tools (Rock Tools), cemented carbide construction tools used for drilling holes in hard bedrock during excavations of mines, tunnels, and wells, at MMC RYOTEC, a group company of Mitsubishi Materials.
About 80% of our construction tools are shipped overseas, with North America accounting for 40% of those shipments. Last year, it was very difficult to book ships and containers as exports to North America increased in all industries due to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the strong dollar. However, through global teamwork with the production facility in Thailand, the sales company in the U.S., and MMC RYOTEC, we were able to create a precise shipping schedule and earn the trust of our customers by meeting delivery deadlines.
Although many of our business meetings were previously conducted online due to travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year we have finally gotten to visit our customers face-to-face at mines, quarries, and water well drilling sites. We build and maintain stable relationships with our customers by placing importance on after-sales service and providing rapid response and next solutions. Such engagement has been well received, and we were able to hear real voices of customers that they are glad they chose DIAEDGE.

My work contributes to building a prosperous and recycling-oriented society. Much of North America’s drinking water comes from wells, and Rock Tools are essential for digging those water wells. Groundwater pumped up from the wells is not only used for drinking water, but also for agriculture and livestock, supporting people’s lives. Rock Tools also contribute to the construction of heat pipes that exploit the geothermal heat of the earth. Geothermal heat is low- temperature thermal energy about 10 m to 15 m below the ground’s surface.
The subsurface temperature, which is relatively constant throughout the year, is cool during the summer and warm in the winter compared to the air outside. We can take advantage of these differences in temperature for efficient cooling/heating, and geothermal heat is drawing attention as a viable renewable energy solution. There are many ways in which our Rock Tools can contribute to creating a recycling-oriented society, so I find it very rewarding.

Perhaps because our Group operates globally and many of our employees have been exposed to diverse cultures overseas, I think there is an open- minded culture that embraces diversity. Although there are not many foreign employees at my current workplace, I feel that all employees are fully demonstrating their strengths.
Our Group is conducting various communication measures to create an organization in which employees can maximize their individual strengths to realize the company’s Mission. As part of the program, “reverse mentoring,” in which junior employees offer mentorship to managers, was introduced in 2021.
I was only in my second year with the company when they were looking for the first group of participants, but I volunteered to communicate with the management and learn from them. Through the exchange of ideas with management and other mentors, my motivation to work for our Group was greatly enhanced.
In the future, I would like to work overseas as a sales representative to respond to the changes and needs of the global market and enrich the world through our Group’s products and technologies. I hope to play an active role on the global stage as a bridge between Japan and the world.