Sales of the new MAZDA 3 started on May 24. This is the first release from the products group of the 7th generation of Mazda. It is equipped with some of Futaba Kogyo products. Such as our major product, the instrument panel member(the steering member) and various body-shell parts.
This new car uses cold-stamped vehicle body parts made from 1310MPa-class high-tensile steel, which is the world’s first (according to Mazda’s in-house research). Among parts made from it, the No. 2 cross members on the front floor of a vehicle are our products. It contributes to reducing the weight of the vehicle, reducing fuel consumption, and improving collision safety performance.
Our technical staff said, “Compared to general materials, 1310MPa-class high-tensile steel has poor shape freezeability and is easy to crack because of poor stretchability. So we had to repeate trial and error in making molds. In addition, high-tensile grade goes up with each model change, and formability gets more and more difficult. However, in co-creation activities with Mazda, we were able to propose the optimal shape based on the development know-how and simulation technology we learnt through past experience.”
We continue to provide high quality and precision products that meet customers’ demands.

   In July 2018, devastating floods and mudflows caused by torrential rain hit western Japan.
We recently received a letter of appreciation from the public organization for our volunteer activities to support recovery and reconstruction from the disaster.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the floods and hope for a rapid recovery for both the people and areas affected by this disaster.
　　　　　　　　　　　

The 29 of fresh new employees has joined us.(graduates of university 4, high school 23)
In the season of cherry blossoms April 1, the last welcoming ceremony of the Heisei era, was held at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima with the President and Director, Mr.Yoshida and executive officers and managers. The ceremony was relayed from the venue to all sites of Futaba Kogyo office and factories.
Mr.Yoshida sent a message of hope and encouragement to new employees as follows.
“The biggest change to the car industry in a century is about to occur. Hope we can develop human resources who can develop new technologies and products in a new era. Anticipating the ever-changing environment, let’s change the company together.”
Several sort of trainings and education was provided to them for 2 weeks such as general manners and attitude, safety and quality and welding method. (The assigned location will be decided after practical training on each departments until end of June.)
In the new era Reiwa, with passionate newcomers, we all come together and challenge to change.

                                   
                                         The executive officers new employees
                                               (at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima )

On March 1st, 2019, the Mazda Ekiden Road Relay was held as part of the 26th Love Hofu Campaign at the Mazda Motor Corporation Hofu Plant (in the Nishinoura district).
Unfortunately, the weather was not nice, but a total of 53 teams from Yamaguchi prefecture and beyond took part in this event.
It was 6th time for our Hofu factory team to join it. Although it was rain and cold, they completed the relay and made 40th-place finish.
We ran with new uniform with our company logo and policy “Change Again!” We believe our teamwork becomes more intense through the event.

　　　　　　　　　　 Moment of  the finish                                  New uniform 

Our Hofu Factory produces instrument panel members and body parts that are delivered from Daikyo Nishikawa Co., Ltd. to Mazda Motor Corporation Hofu Factory (Nishinoura area), according to their plan.
We are planning to expand the factory facilities to flexibly respond to the customer’s swing production* plan requests etc. in the future.  It is scheduled to be completed in October 2019.

  (Note) Swing production*—
      A form of production aimed at efficiently utilizing the production capacity of each base of
      Mazda Motor Corporation.  Complement mutually between factories in domestic (Ujina, Hofu)
      and overseas (Mexico, other) in order to respond flexibly to demand.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　rendering

Mazda held the Supplier quality award ceremony on December 4.
We were highly appreciated for the fact that we made a lot of efforts to improve the quality for Mazda vehicles.
We will continue to work on further quality improvement without satisfying the current situation.

From late July to mid-October, we accepted internship for high school students at Kabe, Sakurae and Hofu Plants.
The program was a schedule of 2 to 3 days. After receiving safety education at the workplace, the students experienced a series of work including welding work, practicing operation of industrial robots, product inspection etc.
Through this experience, they commented  as”I understood the content of the work well. I get more and more interested in this job.”,”I want to make use of this experience even at school.”
Next year, we plan to accept  internship again at all of our plants including Hiroshima plant.
By having many people experience the pleasures of “monozukuri”, we hope to contribute to the ability improvement of local youth.

On October 29, the member of  Hiroshima Southeast Rotary Club visited our Kabe plant.
It was our first time to present our facility to local top people in different industries.
We explained the company’s origin, management philosophy, comfortable workplace initiatives, etc.
At the worksite, participants took a tour of the features as a plant specialized in instrument panel members.
They also learned about our neighborhood-friendly noise countermeasures, green areas as well as  employee education and IoT efforts.
Customers visit us like this time, which brings us a good opportunity to unite all employee together and improvement activities accelerate. Thank you for visiting us.

On October 13, the autumn annual sports event was held at Sakurae plant grand.
Employees and their families participated from all plants. Team members were organized randomly and enjoyed playing ground-golf and tennis.
After playing sports, we had BBQ of delicious Shimane beef and  miso soup with pork and vegitable.
We also enjoyed the conversation and had a wonderful time.
it was nice and sunny day and we had a good opportunity to refresh both mind and body.