Turnkey Solutions Rollout

「As devices, tools and other products have become more capable and sophisticated with the rapid advance of digitalization, in this business we have evolved from a conventional “production equipment manufacturer” into a “line builder” that provides technologies and ideas for designing and building users’ entire production systems and contributes to greater production efficiency and quality throughout the process, including processes before and after winding.」

「We are continuing to build a business model that integrates mechanical elemental technologies such as winding, tension control and handling with a proprietary OS enabling high-function multiaxis synchronous control through a conveying system and turns them into a platform, thereby providing production systems that enable users to compete successfully in global markets.」

「As a line builder involved in designing and building users' production systems, we will contribute to improving user quality and production efficiency.」

「Under the concept of local production for local consumption, we promoted a structure for remote sales meetings, specification discussions, completion inspections and installation support. By transferring order intake, production and service operations to overseas sites, among other measures, we improved production efficiency and promoted the “outsourcing of production engineering” to accurately capture users’ needs and wants, as well as collaboration and co-creation with users and suppliers.」

「In addition, to address the various constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to improve productivity and competitiveness by promoting remote operations, mainly at our overseas sites, under the concept of local production for local consumption, thereby improving the efficiency of sales, production and services and reducing manufacturing costs.」

「The company is strengthening its pre-sales and after-sales service structures at each location and establishing a system capable of meeting the needs and requirements of each region and customer, including designing and manufacturing near customers as microfactories. As part of this initiative, the Vietnamese subsidiary began operations in April 2022.」

「In addition, as the COVID-19 pandemic has continued for an extended period, demand has also increased for fully automated lines that eliminate the need for human intervention in manufacturing.」

「For the Group's overseas business activities, local subsidiaries handle order intake, production, delivery, and installation. As customers resumed operations, inquiries, orders, and sales all began to trend upward. In Japan, the Group has continued remote communications, technical guidance, and other activities in response to these developments.」

「In its core total precision FA line business, the Group has continued to deliver and inspect equipment using established remote technologies despite travel restrictions imposed by countries due to the novel coronavirus and restrictions on domestic activities. It also advanced a “With Corona” operating structure by transferring part of its order intake and production to its European and Chinese subsidiaries.」

「On the sales side, installation and setup of completed equipment sometimes require travel overseas from Japan. At present, the company responds by having members of local production and service bases handle these tasks wherever possible, but it plans to standardize this approach and establish a “With Corona” operating structure.」

「As a company responsible for proposing optimization of total precision factory automation line systems, we are increasingly expected to accurately identify seeds and needs, and inquiries are recovering.」

「Competition in the development of digital technologies accelerated further under “With Corona,” and willingness to invest in equipment to automate production of the hardware and devices required for these technologies remained high.」

「From the standpoint of the products manufactured by customers, the company also advanced development of EV motors and integrated FA line systems for their production.」

「The group aims to become the one-of-a-kind provider in this new field. While acquiring a range of technologies and using open innovation, it is developing systems and equipment for inspection, handling and coating, as well as a tag-based unmanned production-management system covering the entire factory, thereby building its brand as a total precision FA manufacturer.」

「Manufacturers have come to seek equipment manufacturers capable of developing FA lines that support so-called turnkey solutions, meaning line equipment that starts production simply by turning a switch after installation, as well as high-mix, low-volume production and traceability, as strategic partners.」

「In particular, we are focusing on expanding our scope into total factory automation lines that include assembly of modular products, thereby differentiating ourselves within the winding machine and factory automation industries. This differentiation has enabled us to provide solutions to manufacturers narrowing their investments to high-quality and high-efficiency production amid the recent uncertain economic environment. Orders in the first quarter on a non-consolidated basis totaled ¥7,903 million, exceeding the record ¥7,890 million recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. Quarterly orders totaled ¥9,036 million, the second-highest figure after the record ¥12,081 million recorded in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2017.」

「Our group’s vision is to supply the equipment and systems needed by society to automate the production of the hardware and devices it requires, establish and further develop a global service structure, and propose equipment and systems worldwide for more advanced hardware and devices.」

「Manufacturers of hardware for these electronic components, IoT devices, and motor systems are increasingly seeking so-called turnkey solutions, meaning equipment that enables production to start simply by turning a key after purchase.」