Idemitsu operates its businesses through a powerful network of 1,217 dealers and distributors and 6,395 SS (service stations) nationwide. Branches serve as contact points to provide fine-tuned support for the business management and SS management of dealers and distributors. In May and June 2019, Owners' Meetings were held at 10 locations across the country for the first time, bringing together dealers and distributors to interact to promote and practice their sales strategies with customers as our top priority.
In cooperation with "Idemitsu Association" an organization of dealers, and "National Showa Shell Association" an organization of distributors, we are also working together in the field of social contribution by contributing to the community and revitalizing the community. We have also established our own certification and training systems to enhance the knowledge and skills of its staff in order to increase customer trust in its technologies and services, as well as to continue generating new added value by sensitively identifying customer needs.
In order to provide a stable supply of energy, service stations, which are strong in times of disaster, are expected to play a role as disaster prevention centers. We are demonstrating a system that combines solar panels and power storage functions at four service stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
In addition to providing a constant refueling function in the event of a power failure, it can also be used as a power supply point for charging mobile phones and smartphones and for Wi-Fi connections, enhancing the durability and versatility of an emergency power supply.
On October 18, 2019, Idemitsu launched a magazine for SS staff members. The magazine was issued to build a bridge among the staff members who work at the both Showa Shell and Idemitsu service stations and provide opportunities to learn about each other’s SS. It carries useful information for daily operations and hints for store development. The magazine copies are scheduled to be distributed to our distributors’ offices and their SS once every two months.