DIGI -Searching for a New Balance-



		Taka, God Father of DIGI Family retiring from Teraoka/DIGI at the end of 2007 AP-700 getting a good reputation in the Benelux market E. Leclerc selected DIGI's new wrapper AW-4600AT, debut in Poland More than 600 units of SM-100Plus in operation at all Lotte supermarkets stores SM-500 installations exceeding 22,000 Kasumi Supermarket in Japan selected all Teraoka/DIGI products for their new store operation system DIGI high-end SM-880 series including ELEXY chosen by a newly opened department food floor DIGI Indonesia at INDOMAF 2007 in Jakarta The Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition A new DIGI family member in Moldova Obituary: John Tooher, Mr. DIGI in Industry

Taka's message to all DIGI family members

Dear DIGI family members,
  I am writing to inform you that as of December 31, 2007 I will fully retire from Teraoka/DIGI.
  In early 1974, Mr. Kazuharu Teraoka kindly invited me to work with him to expand Teraoka/DIGI's export business. It is hard to realize that nearly 34 years have passed since that time, as I still remember my first day at Teraoka/DIGI as if it was just yesterday. Through the years I have traveled to many foreign countries, which is when I came in contact with you. As I pause here to reflect, my memories remind me of many happy years of association with each of you. I would take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the courtesy and cooperation extended to me over the years. Honestly speaking, I feel that I must be the luckiest businessman having such good people around me, not only in our own group companies but all around the world.
  I am very sure that I will enjoy my life after the retirement. I have already started several new things, like playing Ukulele (not hula though) and studying old paintings related to Christianity as well as Greek myths. I also plan to travel to as many places as possible with my wife, starting in Japan.
  I am looking forward to an opportunity to meet with you also in the future. You may reach me by emailing at any time.
  Thank you again for your kind friendship to me for so many years.

With warmest regards,
Taka Hattori

Taka receiving happy retirement messages from DIGI family members

From Australia
Walter W Wedderburn, Chairman of W.W. Wedderburn Pty. Ltd.
I have had the great honor and privilege of having Taka's friendship for over 32 years.

  From the very first introductory letter that I received from Taka, (which I believe was truly a "masterpiece" of business letter writing) I knew instinctively, that Taka is a man of great quality, humanity and astute commercial ability.
  My very first impressions of Taka have never been proven wrong over all these many years.
  Taka's natural ability to empathize and work harmoniously with dealers and customers, is remarkable.
  No problem was too difficult or too small for Taka to render help and assistance...Taka always steadfastly stood by and supported his distributors, through good and bad times.
  Taka's ability to handle and manage Major Accounts, from all over the world, amazes me, he has a wonderful grasp of international business and an excellent mind for detail.
  Taka must be very proud of all the wonderful friendships he has made all around the world during his long career...he is equally famous and well liked, in countries as far apart as New Zealand and Ireland... and all countries in between!
  I can't let this opportunity pass, without mentioning Taka's great sense of fun and humor.
  Taka's skill in professionally rendering a vast repertoire of mystifying and entertaining magical tricks is remarkable...Taka loved to use his magic tricks to entertain small children and the occasional beautiful young lady!
  Taka contributed greatly to the wonderful spirit, ethos and passion of the DIGI Family, which is really, one of Teraoka's greatest strengths.
  We will miss Taka very much when he retires at the end of 2007.
  Taka we all wish you and Etsuko a very well deserved, happy and healthy retirement.

Bill

From USA
John Baumman, President of New Brunswick International, Inc.

Taka Hattori is the face of Teraoka to the world. (Kind of a scary thought) Taka Hattori is the soul of Teraoka for all the people that sell and support DIGI scales in the world. Taka Hattori has been the conscience of Teraoka for every person associated with DIGI in the world. Taka has had a part in opening the majority of major accounts that buy DIGI products outside of Japan. Taka is almost solely responsible for spreading the DIGI brand around the world. Taka is a man of honor and humility and someone that is never afraid to stand up for what is right. Taka is equally appreciated and liked by his customers, dealers and competitors throughout the world. Everyone that has come into contact with Taka during his years with Teraoka respects him as a professional salesman and a man. Taka is a man of his word. I am a much better businessman and salesman and I have had my life enriched by having known and worked with Taka all these years. Taka is and always will be my friend. Good luck to you Taka. I can't believe that you are really leaving Teraoka. I hope that you and Etsuko will have many, many more happy years together and I promise that I will always buy you dinner and a few drinks whenever I am in Japan.

John Baumman

From South Africa
Frank C. Smart, Chairman of Teraoka S.A. (Pty) Ltd.

TAKA : GODFATHER OF DIGI
  It was 1978 when I first met Taka. He walked into my office with a DS-60 tucked under his arm and at that time I never realized what an important meeting that was to be.
  Since then Taka has become not only a great person to deal with in business, but a close friend. He has helped us to establish the Teraoka brand in Africa and we now enjoy over 80% market share in our various markets. Taka not only worked hard but also played hard and a lasting impression I have of him is when we went on Safari and he did his "levitation" in the middle of the African bush. For the rest of the visit he was treated with awe by the local people who thought he was some kind of Witchdoctor!
  Taka has always been a pillar of support for our company and we never had a supplier/customer relationship but a partnership. He was always available to help us and we would reciprocate whenever possible. This has got to be a very rare relationship . amazingly he achieved this with many of his other distributors around the world.
  Taka is a very rare breed of man and all of us at Teraoka South Africa wish him well in his retirement and may it be a long, healthy and happy one.

Frank Smart

From Ireland
Cornelius C. Kenny, Managing Director of DIGI Systems Ltd.

  Taka, today's vast export business of Teraoka Seiko initially started by you in 1975/6 with DIGI Mk1 Electromechanical Scales is and will always be a monumental tribute to your worldwide success. As I pen these few words all DIGI Distributors realise, "so many of us owe so much to Taka" who is a truly wonderful human being.
  Taka, you have spent your entire business life helping others to succeed and prosper always unselfishly putting their needs before your own.
  Now as retirement is approaching you will have the opportunity to enjoy more relaxing times with your family and friends. I, together with my family, feel very privileged to be counted amongst them.
  Perhaps you might visualise the ideal retirement gift as an Irish Rocking Chair in which you can relax for the rest of your life. Not possible, you will be too busy as you are now starting out on many new adventures. Life still will be full of challenges, with new and exciting experiences awaiting you. You might for instance, decide to ride a motorcycle from coast to coast on Route 66 or to learn Irish dancing? You could decide to keep greyhounds or start teaching a parrot to talk.
  Maybe you will write your autobiography called "Secrets of the DIGI Family".
  Ireland remembers and acknowledges your dedicated affiliations and they will keep you always in their hearts and minds. Whatever you choose to do I sincerely hope you will enjoy good health and happiness.
  My very special friend I thank you for the many years of great friendship since we first met in 1976 and you will continue forever to be in my thoughts and aspirations.
  With Best Wishes to my special friend

Con Kenny

From Greece
Peter Charagionis, Managing Director of Chronografiki S.A.

  I met Taka for the first time in 1980 when I visited DIGI Headquarters to discuss the terms of our cooperation.
  I was charmed immediately by his humor, nice personality and clear ideas about our business.
  Over the next 27 years our relationship evolved much deeper than just a business friendship and became a real personal relationship.
  Taka has a unique way of becoming very friendly and likable. And all these years he is still totally devoted to his business and his friends. All these years, I can't remember anyone who was not deeply fond of Taka.
  But Taka is also a man of immense sensitivity and culture! Several years ago we met at the FMI Fair in Chicago. After we spent an evening and the next morning in his hotel room fighting fiercely about business, we visited, on his suggestion, the local museum to admire expressionist art which was one of his favorites. I will never forget how I enjoyed that afternoon there and how enlightened I felt afterwards.
  Taka is also the last romantic in the DIGI family. He always believed strongly in personal relationships and this was an important part of the way he was doing business. But times are changing and now, we do business with stiff technocrats through auctions and tough negotiations with not a trace of sentiment. Taka confessed his sadness about it to me.
  The retirement of Taka marks the end of an era for DIGI. DIGI will go on, no doubt, but it will never be the same.

  As for me, I will cherish his friendship forever.
  Good-bye Mr. Taka Hattori, business associate.
  Hi Taka my friend!!!

From India
S A Chandran, Chairman-Emeritus of Essae-Teraoka Ltd.

"4F Taka-San"
  A person is known by his character. Reputation and Character are different. Character is what one thinks about himself, honestly. Reputation is what others think. Some people have reputation, but not character. Some have both and Taka- San is one such example.
  He is very firm and has an uncompromising commitment to the Teraoka/DIGI group. His analysis and assessment of people is amazing. He is loved by almost all. Even when he says 'No', he does it with grace and a friendly tone. This is the real winning quality of Taka-San.
  He makes other people very comfortable because he is quite flexible in his dealings, yet at the same time very firm without compromising the interests of his organization. He is easily approachable and solution-oriented.
  He is a magician. He knows how to mix and combine fairness, firmness, friendliness and flexibility in all his dealings. He is a true exponent of the "WIN-WIN" philosophy. Never a time, did I come out without a solution whenever I approached him. What I used to admire about him is his commitment to relationships with DIGI family members. At the same time, he makes subsidiaries and distributors to contribute to the wealth of the Teraoka/DIGI group. This is his unique talent. May I call him as "4F Taka San"?
  The entire Essae-Teraoka family in India joins me in wishing him a very happy, prosperous and healthy life. May God shower His blessings on him for a peaceful and healthy life.

From UK
Richard Herbert, Managing Director of Herbert & Sons Ltd.

Taka receiving a brass "Herbert" Lion from Richard

  Herbert & Sons bid a fond farewell to our old friend Taka Hattori at a celebration dinner at the Angel Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds, in September.
  Teraoka Seiko Co. Ltd. and Herbert & Sons Ltd. signed our first distributor agreement for Great Britain in November 1982 after many meetings in both Tokyo and the UK, mainly with Kazuharu Teraoka and Taka Hattori. Telex was then the main means of instant written communication; fax machines were very new and the internet still 15 years away.
  Both companies then started to get the SM-40 scale with thermal printer ready for UK Type Approval, as at that stage there was no EU approvals process. It took more than one year to gain this approval, and that was considered as fast back in1982.
  At the dinner, I presented Taka with a brass 'Herbert' Lion and thanked him for all his help and friendship over the years. Takashi Katayama and Martin Brown joined me in a toast to the long lasting relationship between the two companies, and the close friendships that have developed.

From Turkey
Ralf Arditti, Digi/Fiter Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.

Taka My Friend,
  I believe it was back in the spring of 1985 that we first met at the International Department of Teraoka Seiko. I was a novice in the scale business and had not yet made up my mind to work with DIGI, since I was also in contact with one of your competitors. However the quality of the people at Teraoka immediately struck me. This was also the first time that I met Mitsunori Nakamura who invited me to his house in Yokohama for the weekend, an extraordinary move coming from a Japanese executive.
  Since then we have had a long and an overall harmonious relationship with you. Though at times you were not directly involved with DigiFiter (which we established in 1988), one knew that you kept a benign eye on us and always tried to understand the essence of the requests coming from the customers. One of my greatest delights in coming to Tokyo was negotiating with you as you were the 'sweetest' of all; gentlemanly, soft-mannered and a pleasure to deal with.
  We had our ups and downs between our two companies but the respect and affection between the two of us was quite special. Would I say you were the godfather of Teraoka? Probably the 'consigliore'* more than anything else describes you. Wise you were, offering your hand and trying to mend relations that were sometimes stretched to the limit.
  Throughout these decades there were things we did not have enough time to share together: playing tennis and attracting the attention of younger ladies. I hope we still have many healthy years before us to do both, but probably with declining effectiveness.
  May you have a long and happy semi-retirement,

Ralf Arditti

'consigliore'* : The word "Consigliore" comes from Renaissance Italy and describes a trusted advisor that took a solemn oath of total confidentiality, loyalty, and discretion. In old world Italy, it was the "Consigliore" that was responsible for ensuring that there was an appropriate fit with the client; before advice was rendered.
(Explained by Ralf Arditti)