Continuous Productivity Improvements and Cost Reduction
First written in FY2016-Q2. 20 of 24 entries say "Advanced", first in FY2016-Q3. Latest entry: 2026-09-29.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 3 of 25 companies on the "Worse" side.
20 other companies' latest entry also says "Advanced".
- FY2023AdvancedAnnual report
「In the North American market, the recovery in personal consumption and improved supplies of semiconductors and other components resulted in net sales of ¥13,551 million (¥10,673 million in the previous consolidated fiscal year). Some production was transferred to Japan and Asia in response to labor shortages and rising labor costs, and logistics costs improved, resulting in operating income of ¥1,216 million (¥326 million in the previous consolidated fiscal year).」
The company continued transferring some North American production to Japan and Asia and improving logistics costs, increasing operating income from ¥326 million to ¥1,216 million. - FY2023-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「Some production was transferred to Japan and Asia in response to labor shortages and rising labor costs, while improved logistics costs resulted in operating income of ¥865 million (¥94 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
The company advanced the transfer of some North American production to Japan and Asia and improved logistics costs, increasing operating income from ¥94 million in the previous year to ¥865 million. - FY2023-Q2AdvancedAnnual report
「Some production was transferred to Japan and Asia in response to labor shortages and rising labor costs, while lower logistics costs resulted in operating income of ¥578 million (¥10 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
Some production was transferred from North America to Japan and Asia, and logistics costs declined, increasing operating income from ¥10 million in the previous year to ¥578 million. - FY2023-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the North American market, supply shortages of semiconductors and other components were improving, resulting in net sales of ¥3,140 million (¥2,524 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Some production was transferred to Japan and Asia in response to labor shortages and rising labor costs, and logistics were reviewed, resulting in operating income of ¥257 million (¥143 million).」
It states that some production was transferred from North America to Japan and Asia and logistics were reviewed, increasing operating income from ¥143 million in the previous year to ¥257 million. - FY2022AdvancedAnnual report
「Despite constraints from these external factors, the group worked to make effective use of its supply chain, strengthen coordination among sites and establish optimal production locations and systems. As a result, operating results for the current period recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels.」
It states that operating results recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels through effective use of the supply chain, stronger coordination among sites and the establishment of optimal production locations and systems. - FY2022-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the North American market, production was recovering despite supply shortages of semiconductors and other components and disruptions to logistics networks, resulting in net sales of ¥2,524 million (¥2,484 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Some production was transferred to Japan and Asia because of labor shortages and rising labor costs, resulting in operating income of ¥143 million (¥31 million).」
It states that some production was transferred from North America to Japan and Asia in response to labor shortages and rising labor costs, increasing operating income from ¥31 million in the previous year to ¥143 million. - FY2021AdvancedAnnual report
「Although the group’s operating results did not reach pre-COVID-19 levels, results recovered year on year in all segments. However, concerns remain that the impact of COVID-19 may continue. The group is also reviewing its management targets so that it can respond promptly to changes in the business environment, including the automotive industry’s rapid shift to EVs, CO2 emissions reductions and initiatives related to human rights.」
It confirms year-on-year recovery in all segments, with the results of reviewing the group’s production sites and optimized sourcing, as well as advancing productivity improvements, reflected in full-year performance. - FY2021-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「Results in the European market were recovering from the previous year, which was affected by COVID-19, but automakers were forced to reduce production because of the semiconductor shortage. Net sales were ¥3,948 million (¥3,319 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Profitability improved through the use of a contract manufacturing plant in Bulgaria and optimized sourcing from group companies, but higher logistics costs resulted in an operating loss of ¥46 million (an operating loss of ¥242 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
Profitability in Europe improved through the use of the contract manufacturing plant in Bulgaria and optimized sourcing from group companies, reducing the operating loss from ¥242 million in the previous year to ¥46 million. - FY2021-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the European market, customer production was also recovering, resulting in net sales of ¥3,018 million (¥2,079 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Productivity improvements at the Spanish subsidiary and optimized sourcing from the company and its Asian subsidiaries resulted in operating income of ¥51 million (an operating loss of ¥191 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
The company continued productivity improvements at the Spanish subsidiary and optimized sourcing within the group, improving the Europe segment from an operating loss in the previous year to operating income. There were no new changes to the existing productivity-improvement and cost-reduction measures themselves. - FY2021-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the European market, customer production was also recovering, resulting in net sales of ¥1,637 million (¥1,487 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Productivity improvements at the Spanish subsidiary and optimized sourcing from the company and its Asian subsidiaries resulted in operating income of ¥40 million (an operating loss of ¥42 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
Productivity improvements at the Spanish subsidiary and optimized sourcing from the company and its Asian subsidiaries improved the Europe segment from an operating loss in the previous year to operating income. - FY2020AdvancedAnnual report
「In North America, net sales declined significantly, but workforce reductions, measures to avoid additional tariffs on imports from China and manufacturing improvements at the Mexican subsidiary produced significant benefits.」
For the full year, it states that workforce reductions, measures to avoid additional tariffs on imports from China and manufacturing improvements at the Mexican subsidiary in North America improved results from an operating loss to operating income. - FY2020-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「In the North American market, demand for sedans, an area in which Japanese companies have traditionally been strong, declined, while demand for small trucks and SUVs continued to increase. In addition, customers simultaneously halted production from late March through late May because of COVID-19. Customer demand has gradually begun to recover since June, but net sales were ¥6,240 million (¥7,795 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Operating income was ¥59 million (an operating loss of ¥70 million), supported by workforce reductions through productivity improvements, lower logistics costs and supplier changes to avoid additional tariffs on imports from China.」
In North America, the company reduced its workforce, lowered logistics costs and changed suppliers to avoid additional tariffs on imports from China, improving results from an operating loss to operating income. It describes specific progress in productivity-improvement and cost-reduction measures. - FY2020-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「Although the company worked to adjust working days and reduce expenses in line with demand, operating income was ¥361 million (¥1,266 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
The company continued adjusting working days and reducing expenses in response to weaker demand, but operating income in the Japan segment fell below the previous year’s level. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「The group is pursuing cost reductions through production improvements and expense reductions, but significant fluctuations in raw-material prices could affect the group’s operating results.」
It states that the company continues to pursue cost reductions through production improvements and expense reductions. - FY2018-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「Operating income was ¥734 million (¥693 million in the same quarter of the previous year) as the company continued its cost-reduction efforts. Operating income was ¥514 million (¥408 million), as the existing productivity-improvement activities were supplemented by economies of scale from mass production.」
Operating income in both segments exceeded the previous year’s level, supported by cost-reduction efforts in Japan and productivity-improvement activities and economies of scale from mass production in China. - FY2017AdvancedAnnual report
「Productivity improvements through automation and, particularly, economies of scale from mass production in China resulted in operating income of ¥8,516 million for the current consolidated fiscal year, a 28.7% increase from ¥6,618 million in the previous consolidated fiscal year.」
Operating income increased 28.7% year on year, driven by productivity improvements through automation and economies of scale from mass production in China. - FY2017-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「① Japan Customers’ domestic sales clearly began to recover, while overseas demand remained firm, resulting in net sales of ¥23,280 million (¥20,943 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Operating income was ¥1,724 million (¥1,059 million), supported by continued cost-reduction efforts. ③ China The economy showed a gradual recovery. Although the tax reduction for small cars was scaled back, higher demand for SUVs continued to support unit sales, resulting in net sales of ¥7,981 million (¥6,405 million). Operating income was ¥1,345 million (¥742 million), as the existing productivity-improvement activities were supplemented by economies of scale from mass production.」
Operating income in both segments exceeded the previous year’s level, supported by cost-reduction efforts in Japan and the addition of economies of scale from mass production to the existing productivity-improvement activities in China. - FY2017-Q2AdvancedAnnual report
「Operating income was ¥1,232 million (¥853 million in the same quarter of the previous year) as the company continued its cost-reduction efforts. Operating income was ¥944 million (¥476 million), as the existing productivity-improvement activities were supplemented by economies of scale from mass production.」
Operating income in both segments exceeded the previous year’s level, supported by cost-reduction efforts in Japan and the addition of economies of scale from mass production to the existing productivity-improvement activities in China. - FY2017-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「Operating income was ¥693 million (¥587 million in the same quarter of the previous year) as the company continued its cost-reduction efforts. Operating income was ¥301 million (¥273 million), supported by productivity improvements through automation and other measures. Operating income was ¥408 million (¥181 million), partly reflecting the effects of productivity-improvement activities.」
It links cost-reduction efforts in Japan, automation in North America and productivity-improvement activities in China to increases in operating income in the respective segments. - FY2016AdvancedAnnual report
「Although the stronger yen from the beginning of the year had an impact, automation-driven productivity improvements, the elimination of unprofitable operations through production transfers and lower logistics costs contributed to operating income of ¥6,618 million for the current consolidated fiscal year, a 14.8% increase from ¥5,764 million in the previous consolidated fiscal year.」
It reports the full-year effects of specific measures, including automation, production transfers and lower logistics costs, with operating income increasing 14.8% year on year. - FY2016-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「Despite the impact of the sharp appreciation of the yen, net sales for the cumulative third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥36,899 million (¥37,666 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Operating income was ¥5,038 million (¥4,161 million), and ordinary income was ¥4,423 million (¥4,179 million), supported by ongoing productivity improvements and cost-reduction efforts.」
It states that ongoing productivity improvements and cost reductions increased operating income year on year, and identifies specific effects in North America from automation, production transfers and lower logistics costs. - FY2016-Q2First statedAnnual report
「Despite the impact of the sharp appreciation of the yen, net sales for the cumulative second quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥25,027 million (¥25,134 million in the same quarter of the previous year). Operating income was ¥3,583 million (¥2,639 million), and ordinary income was ¥2,964 million (¥2,707 million), supported by ongoing productivity improvements and cost-reduction efforts.」
It explicitly identifies productivity improvements and cost-reduction efforts as factors behind the increase in operating income despite the stronger yen.