User-needs-driven R&D and Expansion of Product Series

「In the wiring accessories business, following the launch in April 2024 of the NKD Series DALI-2 Input Device product lineup, which has been well received, the company launched 12 products in April this year, comprising 4 models in 3 colors, each obtaining IEC 62386-332 certification for the first time in Japan. It will continue working toward obtaining the world's first IEC 62386-332 certification for dimming switches, dimming and color-temperature control switches, and scene-selection switches. In the residential sector, the company plans to expand the lineup of the artific Series, launched this spring and attracting attention from interior designers, and to launch the NKE Series digital wireless lighting control switches, which contribute to achieving ZEH (Net Zero Energy House), during the fiscal year.」

「The total research and development expenses of the Group during the interim consolidated accounting period were ¥158 million. There were no material changes in the Group's research and development activities during the interim consolidated accounting period.」

「In the electrical materials business, the Company developed F-Clip, a universal type, which securely fixes VVF cables to suspension bolts and M-bars used in suspended ceilings and is resistant to detachment. It also developed Lock Band for suspension bolts, which fixes resin pipes and cables to suspension bolts, allows angle adjustment without tools and is compatible with various wiring conduits, thereby expanding its lineup of wiring support components.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the interim consolidated fiscal period were ¥148 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the interim consolidated fiscal period.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥75 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「Total R&D expenses for the consolidated fiscal year were ¥313 million, and the total number of registered industrial property rights at the end of the consolidated fiscal year was 3,237. In the electrical materials business, the Company developed Unit Box 28, a box that accommodates multiple cables, including HDMI, LAN and coaxial cables, and is suitable for wiring wall-mounted televisions, as well as a mounting base for installing security cameras on lighting ducts. In the piping materials business, it developed RM Mール Sumigado, a remodeling molding that routes water supply pipes along ceiling and wall corners for a less conspicuous, more natural finish, and Level Master, a support fitting for narrow spaces that enables drainage pipes to run horizontally where wall space is limited.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥242 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥154 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥77 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical materials business, the Company developed Rakudachi Insert Stick, a tool that enables inserts installed in formwork before concrete placement to be attached continuously while standing, and Shichū, a lightweight aluminum pole used with Parasoll Box, which can accommodate up to 4 security cameras. It also developed a biomass product made from plant-based resources, a protective cap for ventilation pipes. In the piping materials business, the Company developed a protective cover with drainage holes for draining accumulated rainwater from lowered slabs during concrete formwork curing, and Jizai Saddle, a saddle for nailers that can be fixed to ceilings with a nailer and easily hold pipes of various sizes.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥204 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥138 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥67 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical materials business, the Company developed Asahi MY Defender, which is installed on the surface of conduit materials in underground cable and common utility conduit construction to help prevent damage from construction and excavation machinery, such as concrete cutters, during road excavation. It also expanded its product lineup by adding new sizes to Kakuflex, a square underground conduit that helps shorten construction time by reducing the labor required for multiple cable runs using a common utility conduit system, and to its accessories.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥229 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥162 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥70 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥216 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥145 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥70 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical materials business, the Company developed labor-saving tools, including the Trippa CV peeler, which cleanly and easily strips the insulation from CV cables and is suitable for power-installation work for communications equipment such as 5G systems. It also developed the Mirac Ladder H, a low-cost wire-type horizontal wiring support component that significantly reduces the labor required for suspending cables and is suitable for wiring work at factories and plants. In the piping materials business, it developed Tsūki Suisui, a ventilation valve for positive and negative pressure, which prevents trap failures in toilets and washrooms, addresses odor problems and enables smooth ventilation during drainage.」

「In the electrical and piping materials businesses, the Company has gained industry support by developing products aimed at reducing labor requirements amid widespread shortages of skilled workers at construction sites, while expanding a diverse range of products suited to various work sites. The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥214 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥138 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the electrical materials business, the Company developed connection boxes and mounting components, including a round box for mounting security cameras that helps streamline installation work. It also developed Fireproof Sleeve, a special resin fireproof component that helps streamline fire-spread prevention work and shorten construction periods.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥178 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥116 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥56 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the wiring devices business, the Company completed its lineup of full digital control and light-control products in response to the conversion of lighting sources to LEDs and the shift toward distributed multi-lighting, and is expanding the range of applicable light sources.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥207 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥134 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥70 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「Total R&D expenses for the consolidated fiscal year were ¥275 million, and the total number of registered industrial property rights at the end of the consolidated fiscal year was 3,466. The Company is developing products and strengthening its product lineup as a series of products, seeking recognition from customers as the manufacturer with the broadest range of products in the industry, including its main products in the electrical and piping materials businesses, such as electrical conduits and fittings and wiring boxes.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥206 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first nine months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥145 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first six months of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The total R&D expenses of the Group for the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥75 million. There were no significant changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「Total R&D expenses for the consolidated fiscal year were ¥274 million, and the total number of registered industrial property rights at the end of the consolidated fiscal year was 3,530.」