The next-generation leading company - the power to create products [PR]

Mr. Komoto Kawamoto, General Manager of Planning Department, Operations Bureau, Osaka Branch

There are many companies in Kansai that are creating new products and services with high technology backed by experience. Introducing the "push" companies that have reached the stage of commercializing the seeds of new businesses and are leaping into the next generation. In the midst of the corona crisis, we will challenge reform with the power to create products and aggressive management.

Antibacterial and antiviral fibers / demand surge due to new corona

Inquiries for Kurabo's unique antibacterial and antiviral functional fiber processing technology "Cleanze" are increasing rapidly. Cleanse was traditionally used for white coats in hospitals, uniforms in food factories, and children's clothing, but the use of cleanse has increased due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. Inquiries in Japan have grown more than 10 times compared to before the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

cleanse mask

Kurenze can strongly immobilize the immobilized antibacterial ingredient "Etac", which was commercialized by Professor Hiroki Futagawa of Hiroshima University based on research based on the antiseptic used for treatment and cleaning of the oral cavity, on the surface of the fiber. Proprietary processing technology. When bacteria and viruses come into contact with Etak-immobilized fibers, it suppresses the growth of bacteria and reduces the number of viruses.

Etac is a fixed antibacterial ingredient intended for use in oral treatment and cleaning, and is highly safe. In addition, while conventional processing immediately loses its functionality after repeated washings, cleanse retains its functionality even after 50 washes.

In response to the spread of the new coronavirus, which has been raging since last year, the Japan Textile Product Quality Technology Center conducted a verification test against the new coronavirus of cleanse and confirmed its effectiveness. In July 2021, the company announced that it had confirmed antiviral effects against delta and alpha strains of the novel coronavirus.

Cleanse kit

In addition to the cleanse processing of textile materials, last year we released the "Cleanse Kit", an infectious disease prevention activity kit centered on sprays that we have been selling to schools for about four years. Kurabo's in-house test confirmed that a single spray spray lasts for 7 days. It is a product that contributes to business continuity by efficiently performing preventive activities in the workplace with little effort.

Cleanse processing on textile materials is rapidly spreading to products such as casual clothing, miscellaneous goods, and masks. In addition, it is possible to make the entire living space antibacterial and antiviral through preventive activities using cleanse kits, including curtains and carpets. Kurabo plans to actively explore other fields where cleanse processing can be used and provide even greater safety and security.

70% of our employees are engineers/Needs can be realized in a short period of time

Strength of collaboration between employees

Unitech (Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, President Hiromitsu Matsuoka) designs and manufactures industrial equipment. With a focus on FA systems, the company's main products include assembly and inspection equipment for automotive parts, and chip handling equipment (chip handlers) for semiconductor manufacturers. 70% of all 37 employees are engineers, and President Matsuoka is proud of this technical ability, saying, "We have all the people who grew up in manufacturing."

It is rare in the industry that engineers account for 70% of the employees. One of the company's strengths is that it does not have a dedicated sales representative and instead employs engineers to handle business negotiations. It takes less time to draw a conceptual diagram, and you can secure time to solve difficult problems from customers. At the head office, engineers in mechanical design and control design arrange their desks on the first floor and build systems that flexibly meet customer needs. “The completed machine will become a real sales person,” explains President Matsuoka.

President Hiromitsu Matsuoka

The company was established in 2010 as a company that handles the concept and design of FA-related systems. Production of FA equipment and manufacturing equipment will soon begin at partner companies. As the number of orders increased, we turned to in-house production and opened the Tenno Factory in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture in 2015, and the Ikoma Factory in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture in the following year. spread to

The average age of employees is 40 years old. In the world of technology, where ``10 years are enough to become a full-fledged'', the generation in their mid-30s who have become full-fledged has become the main force. President Matsuoka is proud of his low turnover rate. “I feel happy when I deliver a machine and see it in action,” says President Matsuoka. In 2020, the company also received a special award from the Osaka Prefecture Management Rationalization Association for the 3rd “Want to Teach Students Award for Great Companies to Work For”.

In recent years, we have been further strengthening our technical proposals, such as exhibiting our own tray changer at exhibitions. In October, we plan to announce a new system combined with an automated guided vehicle (AGV). In the future, in addition to aiming to enter the field of labor-saving machines for food manufacturers, we also aim to develop our own brand products.

"We are currently renting, but we would like to have our own office and factory by the 20th anniversary of our founding," says Matsuoka enthusiastically.

50th anniversary of establishment in 2020 / Aiming to expand production with new warehouse

Mikawa Electric (Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President Fumio Taru) designs and manufactures power receiving and distribution equipment. We continue to grow with our strength in integrated response, including ancillary electrical work, commissioning and adjustment, and after-sales service in our business areas. In 2020, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our founding, and the momentum will increase even further. A product warehouse is scheduled to be completed near the head office in November. Improve the efficiency of the head office factory and expand production.

The company mainly handles cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment, high-low voltage switchboards, special high-voltage power receiving equipment, control panels for FA lines, etc., and supports from weak to strong electric fields. We have a wide range of customers, mainly environment-related equipment manufacturers, railway companies, and automobile manufacturers. In 2002, we acquired the certification of the international standard "ISO9001" for quality control, and we are striving to maintain and improve it with the aim of improving customer satisfaction and quality.

Fumio Taru, President

President Tarumoto encourages employees to acquire qualifications as part of efforts to create a work environment in which women can play an active role and develop human resources. She encourages her to absorb knowledge and improve her skills through seminar participation, and has produced a large number of people who have passed the skill test. Employees who have become technicians are active in various fields. We have established a system to actively respond to new technical needs of customers by updating technology, such as building FA and sequencer-related software in-house.

On the other hand, the product warehouse, which is scheduled to be completed in November, will contribute to improving the company's production capacity. Currently, the company's factory area occupies 4 floors in the 8-story head office building. There is also a waiting space for products before shipment, and the production space was previously limited.

After the completion of the warehouse, we immediately moved the products to eliminate the accumulation in the head office factory. Expand your production space. The warehouse is 10 meters high and has a total floor area of ​​277 square meters. President Tarumoto enthusiastically said, "We want to double our current production capacity."

The company also commercializes its own brand "idea products" such as cable winders and hand light battery protection covers. The company is also working on new product development outside of its main business, says President Tarumoto. Going forward, we will continue to expand our sales channels both domestically and internationally with an aggressive stance, and develop our business as a global company while strengthening our corporate structure.

Kurabo = https://www.kurabo.co.jp/

Unitec Co., Ltd. = https://www.unitec-lca.co.jp/

Mikawa Electric Co., Ltd. = https://www.mikawadenki.co.jp/

Planning/Production: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Osaka Branch