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| Long-term reliability laboratory (new) |
Since
it was inaugurated as PSC(Plastics Service Center),
the TSC(Technical Service Center) has built up a history
spanning about 30 years, and as a driver in our company's
business model of "Marketing
with Technology Incorporated," the
TSC has continued to provide technical support to our
customers. The current TSC building was completed in
1984 and subsequently, a new processing wing was established
in 1993, and in 2004, the 20-year milestone was reached.
On this occasion, last year we took another look at
what shape the TSC should take and then formulated
the current renewal plan. The mission of the TSC is
viewed as 1) functioning as a technical support and
consultative center that leads the engineering plastics
industry, 2) acting as an application development and
technical "dispatch" center for customers
and group companies, and 3) as a center (possessing
the resources and equipment) capable of answering to
needs 10 years from now, and the completion target
was set as by the 2004 Innovation Show.
The renewal was implemented with the objectives of
improving functions to achieve the aforementioned mission
and of improving facilities in order to enhance building
maintenance and safety. The major items were 1) construction
of a new long-term reliability laboratory, 2) rearrangement
of laboratories on a function basis, and 3) a switch
from a centralized air-conditioning system to individual
air-conditioning units. Concretely speaking, creep
testing apparatus and fatigue testing apparatus have
been brought together in the long-term reliability-testing
laboratory that was established through renovating
the old 1C warehouse in the new processing wing. Furthermore,
trilingual (Japanese, Chinese, English) explanation
panels have been placed on each test apparatus, and
each room includes a technical topics introduction
panel. The panels are hand-made and the plan is to
periodically change the content.
Over the three-day period between October 5 and 7,
2004, over 300 customers from the automotive sector
were invited to attend the Innovation Show. Poster
sessions in the seminar room, technical introductions
in the laboratories and molding shop, and molding demonstration
were carried out in the newly renewed TSC. The enthusiasm
of all concerned took shape and we firmly believe that
the three days saw our company's technology capture
the hearts of our customers. We will strive to make
further improvements so that the TSC will become a
place where people want to visit again and recommend
that others visit.
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| A demonstration
at the innovation show |
In
the following, we got Department Manager Mr. Toshiaki
Nakamura to speak as a representative of TSC regarding
future aspirations having successfully completed the
TSC renewal and Innovation Show.
I think the "Marketing with Technology Incorporated" business
model is a very suitable method for developing our
engineering plastics business. In recent years, severe
demands for price competitiveness and price reductions
have been placed on us and amid declining profit ratio
and profit amount, we need to build a technical service
state that matches the times. However, I do not think
we should change the basic components of this business
model, which are the strengths of our company. Engineering
plastics have become commoditized, and POM and PBT
have become sufficient markets that can go it alone,
but on the other hand, development towards more difficult
applications and ones that require higher reliability
is being actively conducted. Therefore, in the future,
even higher quality technical support will be required.
Technical support is still required in various ways
for PPS and LCP. Furthermore, sales in the AP region
are proceeding steadily and the sales volume can be
expected to increase further in the future. Customer
product development activities are starting and the
time has come for discussions regarding the circumstances
for technical support in this region.
Amid this state of affairs, taking the opportunity
of the 20th anniversary of the TSC building, a renewal
was undertaken with the objectives of improving the
physically required maintenance and safety of the building
and improving functions with the future in mind.
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| Mr.
Nakamura, Department Manager |
Through renewal activities carried out by our personnel
united, not only did we improve the facilities aspect:
I think the self-awareness of staff members with respect
to the aforementioned mission also increased further.
The environment and regional scope of activities are
starting to change greatly and I want us to strive
to make the TSC continue to be of use.
Please continue to
support the TSC!
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