Chubu Regional - Topics
Seeking to position itself as a high-value-added business, the Tubular Products team has built and is operating a steel tube processing center under the name of SC Pipe Solutions Co., Ltd.
Including warehousing and cutting functions, and conducting technologically unified operations with Sumitomo Pipe & Tube Co., Ltd. (a steel tube manufacturer), the new steel tube processing center offers services and features never before seen in Japan. Located convenient to Toyota Motor-related component manufacturers in Miyoshi-cho, Nishikamo County, Aichi Prefecture, the processing center delivers steel tubing to component manufacturers on a just-in-time basis, winning new customers under our motto, "high-quality, stable supply."
To battle global warming and reduce levels of CO2 output, auto manufacturers have been forced to pursue new ways to trim weight from their products. Our Non-Ferrous Products & Metals Division has seized upon this business opportunity, proposing the use of alumni to Toyota Motor and parts makers as a means of saving weight. One result of these activities has been the adoption of forged aluminum components for the rear suspension of the high-end Toyota Lexus LS460 model (the LS460H and LS460HL have been subsequently introduced). The team was awarded a special prize by Toyota Motor for their contribution to weight savings. As the need for lighter cars continues to grow, the team expects to generate more orders for aluminum components.
A forging press is a manufacturing machine that makes engine parts (crankshafts, connecting rods), transmission components (gears) and other major automobile components using a die to compression form metal at high or normal temperatures. The automobile and auto parts manufacturers of the Chubu region have aggressively invested in forging presses as production expands globally. Automobile Machinery & electric, Material Supplies and Energy Division continues to deliver numerous forging presses to client factories both in Japan and around the world. In addition to forging presses, the Division also provides many other types of mechanical equipment, contributing to the MONOZUKURI of the Chubu region and the automotive industry in Japan.
The Aerospace Division, together with the SCM Global Business Division, oversees the domestic transportation of the next-generation Boeing 787 wing and airframe presently. Special transport cars and large-scale barges will be used to transport the oversized cargo, including 30-meter long wings, moving the products from production factories to the Central Japan International Airport. Transportation costs will be reduced by handling cargo receiving duties from the factory under a single corporate banner.
Kenaf is an annual herbaceous crop of the malvaceae family, and is mainly grown in Southeast Asia as a fiber crop. Kenaf has also been gaining attention as a material for non-wood paper to replace the use of wood. The General Merchandise and Energy Division supplies kenaf natural fiber as a component for automobile interiors, mainly used in door trim. As an auto interior base material, kenaf is not only an environmentally friendly material, but also has the benefit of contributing to weight savings. Through the supply of kenaf and other natural materials, they have taken a lead in response to the environment. Further, the group is involved in the supply of bagasse (sugar cane offcasts), sisal, bananas and other fibers, contributing to the development of alternative uses of natural materials.
