DX Promotion
DX initiatives
DXed Machikoba
We have been working on DX since 2021, with our goal of becoming a "DXed Machikoba (Digitally Transformed Machikoba)." This is to respond to drastic changes in the business environment and provide sustainable value.
What is a Machikoba?
- Internal information (upstream to downstream) flows without stagnation An open work environment with no direct or indirect barriers between divisions and between superiors and subordinates.
- Execution of work with a sense of speed
→ Work environment that encourages new ideas
For example, we are currently building a system that will handle everything from 3D data for part design to mold design, mold production, and the preparation of inspection and measurement ledger sheets. The introduction of a system that allows mold drawings to be completed almost simultaneously with the progress of design will cut the lead time for development and production preparation in half, allowing us to reach more customers with the same resources. On the production floor, automatic man-hour counting, equipment operation, and electronic performance analysis board thoroughly eliminate manual work and accelerate improvements through real-time visualization of problems. In addition, approval documents and other documents will be settled electronically at the same time to eliminate stagnation. The COVID-19 crisis prompted us to immediately introduce remote communication tools. We are now in an environment where on-site improvements and analysis of equipment failures can be carried out by connecting sites in Japan and overseas regardless of time differences using wearable devices.
Tokai Rika Transformation
By dramatically transforming work processes and utilizing data and digital technology, we will create resources to provide new value. We have named this series of initiatives “Tokai Rika Transformation,” and are expanding our activities in all areas to achieve our mid-term management plan.
Selected as a DX-certified operator
We have been selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a DX-certified operator and have also acquired certification for our business adaptation plan.
In manufacturing (from development to production preparation), we will promote new sales expansion and new product development with the same resources by reducing the development period by half through reforming business processes, strengthening data linkage, and utilizing digital tools.
DX promotion system
In order to speedily promote DX, we established the DX Promotion Task Force in February 2021 under the direct control of the executive office with leaders from each division serving concurrently.
In April 2023, the DX Promotion Task Force was reorganized into a full-time organization as the (BI)*DX Promotion Dept. in order to further strongly promote DX in the design field.
* Business Innovation
| February 2021 | Establishment of DX Promotion Task Force |
|---|---|
| October 2021 | Selected as a DX-certified operator by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| March 2022 | Acquired industrial business adaptation plan certification |
| April 2023 | Establishment of (BI) DX Promotion Dept. under the direct control of the executive office |
| September 2023 | Updated as DX-certified operator by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |
Initiatives in our technology field
We aim to improve the efficiency of design work and reduce man-hours by changing the traditional way of working from the development to the design stage and by utilizing digital technology.
By promoting DX, we will focus on new development projects that are more competitive and create products that our customers love.
| Process reform | Continuously review and standardize business processes to eliminate waste and achieve efficient business processes. |
|---|---|
| Connecting information | Create an environment that allows immediate access to the desired information, enabling rapid and accurate information sharing. |
| Knowledge accumulation | Promote sharing and utilization of knowledge by converting tacit knowledge scattered throughout the company into formal knowledge and accumulating it as data assets. |
| Digital utilization | Automate tasks using machines and systems by utilizing data assets. This will improve operational efficiency and productivity. |
Production preparation initiatives
In the area of design and production preparation, we utilize 3DA (three-dimensional data) information created by the design division to perform automatic modeling for mold design, and automatically create measurement programs for rework instructions and inspections. In this way, we will reduce human intervention as much as possible and thoroughly increase productivity.
Additionally, we will introduce virtual technology such as VR and MR to examine the process, verify assembly, process layout, and actual work, and significantly reduce rework after line maintenance.
Plant initiatives
In our plants, the goal is to break away from legacy systems and assist production through digitalization. The two pillars of this project are the restructuring of the Manufacturing BOM and the digitalization of the production floor to improve the efficiency of plant operations and data accuracy, and to reform related operations. We will also focus on value-added work by speeding up the cycle of early detection, analysis, and countermeasures for problems and eliminating waste.
Human resource development
In addition to training citizen developers who can develop applications using low-code tools, we also train AI human resources who can take the initiative in the field to reform operations using AI, creating an environment where employees can independently reform operations through digitalization.
Through the gradual expansion of educational content, we are promoting the development of IT human resources to achieve company-wide transformation while raising the IT literacy of all employees.
