Shinichi Fukahori, Full-time Manager, Development & Prototype Team, Automotive Department

Partnerships with more than 700 suppliers.

Shinichi Fukahori, Full-time Manager, Development & Prototype Team, Automotive Department

“We are developing components for cars that will be on the road in a few years, but are not on the market yet.” Shinichi Fukahori, full-time manager of the Automotive Department’s Development & Prototype Team, is constantly looking to the future as he strives to develop a variety of components. An automobile is made up of 20,000 to 30,000 components, and with the recent shift to electric vehicles, the need for motor- and battery- related components is increasing. Fukahori spends his days working on prototypes of parts for electric vehicles to be launched in the next few years, anticipating delivery to the customer. His basic work flow is this: first, he receives drawings and data from the customer, and then selects a suitable supplier from over 700 suppliers based on materials and other factors. After narrowing down the list of suppliers based on cost, delivery time, track record, and other criteria, he works with them on prototypes. Before delivery, the products are thoroughly checked at the company’s Quality Control Center, and are then delivered to customers with confidence.

Creating new value by teaming up with a Chinese supplier.

Daimaru Kogyo has been working with as many as 700 suppliers, who together have supported automobile manufacturing. Two years ago, Fukahori started a new business relationship with a supplier in Shenzhen, China. “Prototypes tend to cost more than mass-produced products, even though the number of units is smaller, and cost reduction has been an issue. We had been selecting suppliers mainly from within Japan, but through a chance encounter with a Chinese supplier, we were able to cut costs by a third compared to domestic products.” China’s working style is different from Japan because of its large population. There, they can operate factories in shifts even at night, a fact which has not only improved cost but also speed. “Unlike in Japan, there was a language barrier, but with the support of local staff who can speak Japanese and the use of gestures to communicate with the staff on site, we have been able to proceed smoothly without any major problems.” China is not lagging behind Japan in terms of technology; in fact, it has the optimal manufacturing environment in place thanks to the introduction of advanced equipment, which is rare even in Japan. By providing the plant managers and employees with comprehensive guidance, there are no problems in terms of quality, so this Chinese supplier will continue to function as an important partner for Daimaru Kogyo.

From food to automobiles.
The support of the team is everything.

Fukahori was transferred to the Automotive Department six years ago. He has at last begun to see cars equipped with components he had been involved in the development of on the streets. “It makes me happy to see cars that I have been involved with running on the streets. We are still developing various components, but it will probably be two to five years before they are actually installed in cars. It’s a little far off, but just thinking about it makes me excited.” In fact, Fukahori’s previous position had nothing to do with automobiles, as he was in charge of food products. “I had come into a completely new field and couldn’t tell left from right. I had never seen processed metal before, and had no idea how much I should sell it for. My peers, seniors, and team members helped me get where I am today.” Fukahori will continue to meet new challenges with his treasured colleagues by his side. The work of developing things that have not yet been introduced to the world is very rewarding, and the daily experiences are invaluable.