Working together as a partner to guide us toward our future HR endeavors.

Metal One, formed in 2003 through the merger of Mitsubishi Corporation’s and Nissho Iwai Corporation (now known as Sojitz)’s steel divisions, needed to stabilize its corporate functions as a newly established company. That’s where Human Link provided critical HR support.

From the outset, we have focused on developing leadership talent capable of guiding the Metal One Group. Human Link has played a key role in proposing training programs aligned with our mid-term business plan, supporting over 20 programs annually. Even during the pandemic, when training methods needed to change rapidly, they were agile in adapting to the situation.

Beyond talent development, Human Link also supports our international HR needs. With the cessation of services from a previous provider, we transitioned these responsibilities to them in 2024. Their expertise in overseas payroll and global talent management has ensured a smooth handover, further solidifying them as a trusted partner.

What we appreciate about Human Link's support in talent development and training is their ability to provide actionable solutions for various challenges. Guided by our mid-term business plan, we have been able to clarify the talent we need and the strategies we should pursue. Human Link has supported both high-level strategy and the day-to-day practicalities, such as developing tailored training programs and handling logistical aspects. Their training concepts are aligned with our talent needs and they have recommended instructors and programs that resonate with our goals. Additionally, they have helped us recognize Metal One’s employee characteristics we might have overlooked.

In the area of global HR, Human Link offers detailed support using the system we rely on at Metal One. They have been instrumental in outsourcing routine tasks like overseas payroll and welfare cost reimbursements, while also handling irregular cases. They have streamlined operations, and with their guidance, we were able to digitize procedures and launch on-demand briefings. Their hands-on experience with employees working abroad has led to operational changes that improved our efficiency. We are now working with them on further enhancements, such as a Q&A system, automating inquiries, and exploring new expense management tools.

Our collaboration with Human Link goes beyond specific tasks. For instance, we meet twice a month to discuss overall business efficiency. As our business evolves with the changing world, we explore how our workforce and HR functions should adapt, with Human Link playing an integral role in these discussions. Their support gives us confidence knowing we can rely on them for any HR-related matters. As HR professionals at Metal One, we engage with Human Link as partners, sharing the same perspective. Going forward, we aim to focus even more on talent development.

Additionally, Metal One comprises numerous group companies, so from a group management perspective, we cannot focus solely on internal HR. Strengthening collaboration within the group and addressing each company’s HR challenges is crucial. As the central HR team for the group, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Human Link to address these challenges together.