The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) announced that automobile production volume in Japan for May 2016 totaled 656,814 units, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to the same month of the previous year and the first year-on-year increase in two months. Looking at production volume by vehicle type, passenger cars totaled 554,070 units, up 2.8 percent for the first increase...
Products
Totaku Launches New Hoses for Food and Chemical Industries
Totaku Industries Inc., a major manufacturer of plastic hoses and pipes, is actively promoting new products that target the food and chemical sectors. For the chemical industry, the company has developed a new fluorine hose, the TAC Fluoro Flexi. Beyond possessing excellent chemical resistance, the TAC Fluoro Flexi is extremely flexible and easy to handle – not typically strong points...
Sumitomo Rubber Joins Light-Down Campaign to Cut Carbon Footprint
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) is once again participating in the Light-Down Campaign, an initiative led by the Ministry of the Environment to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. On June 21, Sumitomo Rubber switched off its outdoor lights between 8 pm and 10 pm at its 478 affiliated facilities across Japan, including its headquarters in Kobe City, group companies, factories...
With Industry Demand Down, Rubber Hose Production for April Drops 6%
Both production volume and shipment value of rubber hoses was down year on year for the month of April, according to records collated by the Japan Rubber Hose Manufacturers Association. Based on statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the records reveal that production volume of hoses for April was 2,700 tons in terms of new-rubber volume, which...
Sumitomo Riko Opens New Personnel Training Center
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) has opened a new training facility at its main automotive hose production center in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture. Known as “Matsusaka Shikokan,” the training facility was established in order to improve the skills of the personnel who will support future growth for Sumitomo Riko. It includes an “F Lab” for implementation of the “F-Ken” foreman-training program,...
Bando Chemicals Develops Optical Transparent Adhesive Sheet
Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. (TYO:5195) will release an optical transparent adhesive sheet in August. The company developed the product, called Free Crystal, to apply to components of touchscreen displays. With the increased use of touchscreens, the needs for optical transparent adhesive sheets are diversifying. This demand is particularly strong for products like car navigation systems, where manufacturers want to turn...