Weight reduction, enhanced functionality and lower prices for automotive products

「Amid the slowdown in EV sales, the company is responding to growing demand for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in regions where EV development is being reconsidered. While carefully monitoring these changes, it is formulating a product and technology development policy for next-generation electrified vehicles and continuing efforts to establish the sound-insulation technology required for electrified vehicles through advanced development with domestic automakers.」

「Weak sales of Japanese automakers in Asia, including China, reduced sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials and affected earnings. Segment sales were ¥20.243 billion, down 0.6% year on year, and segment profit was ¥1.291 billion, down 6.5% year on year.」

「The company aims to launch sustainable fiber-molded sound-insulation components containing at least 90% recycled plastic, while applying the acoustic and material technologies developed through these projects to interior components to expand its portfolio.」

「Sales of the mainstay sound absorption and sound insulation materials declined due to the suspension of production of certain vehicle models by domestic automakers, factory shutdowns caused by typhoons, and sluggish sales in Asia, including China, amid the expansion of the EV market. Segment revenue was ¥20.370 billion, down 3.7% year on year.」

「Compared with the year-earlier period, when orders and sales declined due to lockdowns in China and other factors, domestic production by key automotive customers has been recovering. As a result, sales increased substantially, mainly of sound absorption and sound insulation materials and coatings such as anti-corrosion paints, and revenue was ¥21.149 billion, up 16.8% year on year.」

「The company is also working to establish the sound-insulation technology required for electrified vehicles through advanced development with domestic automakers.」

「Although recovery in production volumes at major automotive customers was somewhat delayed owing to supply chain disruptions caused by the global semiconductor shortage and lockdowns in China, segment sales remained firm and exceeded the year-earlier level at ¥18.104 billion, up 12.9% year on year. In terms of earnings, segment profit was limited to ¥83 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥26 million in the year-earlier period, owing to the impact of higher raw material and energy prices in addition to sales falling below the initial plan.」

「The company focused on developing new sound-absorption components for engine and motor compartments and achieved results. The technology is expected to deliver substantial weight reduction while maintaining performance compared with conventional components. The company will accelerate consideration of mass production and make proposals, including product introductions to customers. It also developed a highly durable decorative skin that adds value through sound absorption to the sound-insulation components used in engine and motor compartments, and it has been adopted by customers.」

「During the nine-month consolidated cumulative period, production and sales in the group's automotive products business recovered from the six-month cumulative period as demand for new vehicles from its major automotive customers was recovering. As a result, production value in the automotive products business during the nine-month consolidated cumulative period was ¥17.359 billion, up 7.9% year on year.」

「Automotive production volumes were below the initial plan owing to the global semiconductor shortage and the impact of the spread of COVID-19 in the ASEAN region. Segment sales were ¥16.029 billion, up 16.6% year on year. In terms of earnings, despite efforts to reduce costs and expenses, the segment posted a loss of ¥26 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥761 million in the year-earlier period, owing to the short-term decline in sales and higher raw material prices.」

「Orders and production recovered from the year-earlier period, which was heavily affected by COVID-19. Sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials rose 69.9% year on year, while sales of coatings, including anti-corrosion coatings, and other products, including molds, also grew steadily.」

「For dash insulators installed on dash panels, combining new technologies based on the lightweight sound-insulation technology of "RIETER ULTRA LIGHT™" expanded the range of acoustic performance settings available within a single product, including sound insulation and sound absorption, enabling proposals for lighter and more effective specifications.」

「During the nine-month consolidated cumulative period, production and sales in the group's automotive products business recovered from the six-month cumulative period as demand for new vehicles from its major automotive customers was recovering. As a result, production value in the automotive products business during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥16.089 billion, down 15.9% year on year.」

「Orders and production fell sharply owing to lower production volumes at the company's major automotive customers and the temporary shutdown of a consolidated subsidiary's plant in Wuhan, China, to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Segment sales were ¥5.244 billion, down 49.9% year on year.」

「For floor carpet components, a new process using fibrous materials to achieve high loft has been highly rated by customers and adopted by multiple automakers in Japan and overseas.」

「By product category, sales of coatings, including anti-corrosion coatings, exceeded the year-earlier level, reflecting sluggish demand across the product market and changes in market structure and product mix. Sales of the sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials, vibration-damping materials and other products, including molds, all fell below the year-earlier levels. As a result, segment sales were ¥30.496 billion, down 4.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥1.777 billion, down 6.3% year on year.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials continued to grow, increasing 2.8% year on year.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials continued to grow, increasing 5.6% year on year.」

「For floor carpet components, a new process using fibrous materials to achieve high loft has been highly rated and adopted by multiple automakers in Japan and overseas.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials continued to grow, increasing 13.2% year on year. Sales of coatings, including anti-corrosion coatings, and other products, including molds, also remained firm.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials continued to grow, increasing 15.1% year on year. Sales of coatings, including anti-corrosion coatings, and other products, including molds, also remained firm.」

「(Automotive Products Business) The segment's sales and segment profit exceeded the year-earlier levels as orders for new components, mainly in Japan and overseas, increased and the company worked to reduce manufacturing costs. By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials increased sharply, up 23.8% year on year. Sales of coatings, including anti-corrosion coatings, and other products, including molds, also remained firm. As a result, segment sales were ¥10.431 billion, up 16.0% year on year, and segment profit was ¥524 million, up 22.9% year on year.」

「New technology based on the lightweight sound-insulation technology of "RIETER ULTRA LIGHT™" has been adopted for the dash-panel insulators installed on many domestic and global vehicles. Further expansion of sales is expected.」

「The segment's sales substantially exceeded the year-earlier level, supported by higher orders in Japan and overseas. However, the segment profit margin declined as the cost of sales remained elevated owing to costs for ramping up production of new components and higher fixed costs. By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials increased sharply, up 44.2% year on year, owing to higher new component orders. Other sales, including anti-corrosion coatings, vibration-damping materials and raw material exports, also increased year on year.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials increased sharply, up 46.1% year on year, owing to an increase in new component orders.」

「By product category, sales of the core sound-absorption and sound-insulation materials increased sharply, up 41.3% year on year, owing to an increase in new component orders. Other sales, including anti-corrosion coatings and raw material exports, also remained firm.」

「Insulators installed on the dash panel connecting the engine compartment and passenger cabin use new technology based on the lightweight sound-insulation technology of "RIETER ULTRA LIGHT," which has been adopted for domestic and global vehicle models.」

「In automotive product development, the company made environmental considerations a key theme and pursued product development focused on weight reduction, enhanced functionality and lower prices.」