The auto industry’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is picking up pace. However, Toru Matsui, president of major rubber part manufacturer Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191), says the trend is not having as much of an impact on the company as public discussion would imply. That being said, Sumitomo Riko has responded to the wave of EV innovation by setting...
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Sumitomo Riko Aims to Bolster Overseas Production of Non-Automotive Products
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) is gearing up to grow its business for general industrial products in non-automotive sectors. These plans include starting overseas production of water-developable flexographic printing plates and increasing the company’s overseas production bases for anti-vibration rubber for use in railcars. Sumitomo Riko will establish a production base for water developable flexographic printing plates in Turin, Italy,...

Strong Demand for Robotics-Related Rubber Products
The robotics industry is booming as manufacturers cut personnel costs and supplement scarce human resources through production line automation and workforce reduction. According to statistics reported by the Japan Robot Association (JARA), 55,998 robotic devices were produced during the July-September quarter, up 44.9 percent from the same quarter of the previous year. Shipment value amounted to 195.95 billion yen ($1.73...
Sumitomo Riko Subsidiary to Exhibit Industrial Hoses at Indian Trade Fair
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) subsidiary Tokai Imperial Hydraulics India Pvt. Ltd. (TIH) is set to take part in Excon 2017, also known as the International Construction Equipment and Construction Technology Trade Fair. The Indian-based manufacturer and seller of industrial hoses will be exhibiting its key products at the trade fair, which starts in Bangalore on Dec. 12. The firm...

Sumitomo Riko Recognizes Outstanding Chinese Distributors at Kyoshokai Event
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) held its second “Kyoshokai” event on Nov. 1 at the company’s branch in Ayabe, Kyoto. The company used the event to outline business objectives and recognize the efforts of outstanding Chinese distributors. Established in 2016, Kyoshokai is a distributors conference for Sumiriko Industrial Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., a Shanghai-based industrial hose sales subsidiary of Sumitomo...

Sumitomo Riko President: Rapid Spread of EVs Demands a New Approach
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) President Tetsu Matsui says that he feels a sense of crisis at the need for his company to adapt to the trend toward electric vehicles (EVs), which is moving faster than expected. As EVs become more prevalent, he said, there will be a reduction in use of anti-vibration rubber and hose products for internal combustion...