History of Suzuyo

Our establishment in the Meiji era and beyond was made possible through the hard times prevalent during the end of the Edo era

Along with Tempo Reform in 1841, the right of wholesale inherited in Shimizu was temporarily cancelled and the number of wholesalers decreased to 38. Yohei the 3rd, who had inherited this special right passed on through the 1st and 2nd generatons finally lost the wholesaler patent right and was exposed to unprotected freedoms. However, these hard times would finally be overcome.

Although this temporary ban was lifted in 1814, the hardships of Yohei the 3rd would continue due to a big earthquake in the Ansei era (1854). Despite these hardships, Yohei the 3rd strived to expand the range of products and services handled and succeeded to solidify our management base until the turbulent end of the Edo era.

Rides the wave of modernization during the time of revolution

As the era turned to the Meiji period, Japan lifted its isolation policy. Modernization progressed and everything changed from political systems to dietry habits. The goal of Yohei the 4th was to modernize the port of Shimizu.

The opening of the Tokaido railway in 1889 was a monumental milestone for Suzuyo. Although there were concerns that the railway might have negative effects on the prosperity of the port, Suzuyo, with the change of its public name to Suzuki Yohei Shoten, strived to diversify and expand its business using this anxiety as a springboard by adding coal, salt and tea to its conventional products.

Securely conducts duties supporting the port of Shimizu after its opening

In 1899, thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of both the civilian and governmental sectors, Shimizu was appointed as an open port. Shimizu gradually changed its appearence to be an international foreign trade port through its 1st overall restoration in 1909. During the time of Yohei the 5th, Shimizu achieved a trade amount exceeding JPY 10 million in the year 1911 with tea being the main product of export to the US. This was a big leap up compared to years past.

Through the Meiji and Taisho era, Shimizu port developed further as a diversified port for importing and exporting agricultural products. Yohei the 5th who was appointed a salt wholesaler continued to expand adding a timber shipping business, a shipping agency business and a marine insurance agency in response to the developments of the time.

Earnest effort for the development of the port of Shimizu and business expansion

In 1917, after the completion of the oil refinary of Suzuyo Shoten in Kobe, the financial balance of the port of Shimizu surged with an increase in the amount of imports particularly thanks to the inbound volume of soybeans, and the beginning of coal/log imports. The 2nd port restoration was completed in 1938 after 3 large earthquakes and a major revision of construction expansion planning. When focusing on commercial aspects, Suzuyo expanded sales from coal to cokes, briquettes, petroliums and was appointed a refined salt wholesaler. Furthermore, with scope towards the future, Suzuyo incorporated a warehousing service and established Shimizu Shokuhin out of a sense of social mission.

The port of Shimizu, centered in Shimizu-city, with rapid progress and expectation along with the development of urban functions, was reconstructed as a further modernized port through the enthusiastic efforts of Yohei the 6th and the people of Shimizu.

Protect Suzuyo's history and contribute to the local community and welfare overcoming the rough waves of the beginning of the Showa era

After the 2nd World war, Shimizu embarked on its reconstruction with the appointment of being specified as an important port in 1952. Containerlization also starts around this time expanding at an enormous speed and leading to the construction of wharfs in Okitsu and Sodeshi where new equipment such as gantry cranes were installed as well as the laying out of container yards. Commercially with the advent of fuel-reform, the use of conventional coal was rapidly shifting to petroleum and propane gasses, generating a rapid diversification of products handled.

Yohei the 7th, who endeavored to expand the business further, also contributed to local society through public activities. Some of these achievements deserve special mention including the opening of Shimizu municipal hospital, the establishment of special classes at Shimizu municipal elementary school, the opening of "Shishihara-so" welfare facility, Shimizu port museum (currently known as the Verkehr museum), etc. that have contributed significantly to the welfare, education and cultural promotion of the local region.

Challenges in the new age of flexible and robust corporate culture

As logistics innovation continued, the port of Shimizu and Suzuyo were aware of the requirement to pursue further activities. In particular an expansion to streamline port logistics along with an increase/diversification of products handled. This lead to diversification requirements involving logistic formation and cost reduction as well as computerization. Yohei the 8th who continues to endeavor to integrate/maintain businesses and overcome a multitude of challenges in establishing a domestic logistic system, has expanded international port functions to Omaezaki and Toyohashi.

On the otherhand, in the divisions where expansion was expected in the future, positive development and subsidary spin-off business development also were promoted and proceeded. The spin-off of the commercial department which is significantly different than the conventional logistics department is Suzuyo Shoji, considered to be one of the most significant business reforms in the history of Suzuyo.

All the while, the contribution to local community through education/sport including the opening of Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology and the operational assistance over Shimizu S-Pulse was conducted.

Ever continuing challenges corresponding to the new requirements of the time

With more diversification of consumer needs, the rise of online sales and intensified logistic competition, Suzuki Kenichiro who was managing director, succeeded Yohei the 8th as CEO in 2015. At the same time, Yohei the 8th was appointed chairman and executive director.

In the domestic logistics field, expansion of bases and the introduction of cutting edge technology with the goal of further productivity of operation/storage positively proceeded and new businesses such as switch-carriage, ferry-carriage, food joint delivery, etc. newly started. In the port of Shimizu, too, new development was made including the completion of the New Okitsu container terminal along with the development of regular RO/RO sea lanes.

Also in regards to system review, we have embarked on the adoption of a new personnel system and office rennovation in order to realize the importance of employees, having an attractive office space and comfortable working enviroment. Furthermore, under the motto of "digitalization without allowing a sanctuary", to realize high productivity in all operations, we continue to eliminate low value business processes and concentrate efforts on high value operations. We desire to cherish our underpinning spirit of "Tomoiki (Symbiosis)", the backbone of Suzuyo's management.