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YOUR GLOBAL CRAFTSMAN STUDIO
Specialist support for overseas expansion
At the same time, Mitsubishi Materials
predicted expanding demand for
cementedcarbidetoolsinThailand,which
had become a base for automobile parts
production in Southeast Asia. Kitamura
from Mitsubishi Materials said, “Since
there was a need to set up a fine-tuned
customer service system in Thailand, we
planned to establish this and focus on
major countries from the perspective of
demand”. Mitsubishi Materials promotes
theexpansionof accumulated technology,
experience and human resources on a
global level, not only to provide products,
but also to respond to expanding global
markets. In 2013, Mitsubishi Materials
established the Global Key Accounts
Department, a specialist group to
support overseas business expansion,
to help achieve this goal. Kitamura said,
“The Global Key Accounts Department
provides support to help our customers
enter overseas markets. We provide
themwith the best solutions and services
and promote the enhancement and
optimization of their production system
with a focus on a new framework that
allows each customer to create new
values and bolster competitiveness.”
When Mitsubishi Motors was planning its
engine plant in Thailand, our Global Key
Accounts Department was involved in the
project. “When we launched the plant
project, we were constantly aware that
we had to come up with quick solutions
to problems that were encountered.
Mitsubishi Materials staff always helped
us check production lines and conditions.
We placed priorities to on-site work, on-
site production and I really appreciate the
cooperation we received from Mitsubishi
Materials staff. It was instrumental in
helping us maintain our priorities,” said
Mr. Oka.
Need towork together to solve difficult problems
Installing a production line where no line
previously existed requires manpower.
Therefore, there was an urgent need
to cultivate human resources capable
of operating cutting tools. In particular,
meticulous cost calculation is an integral
part of processing in Japan, but it was
a challenge for the original project
members to establish the importance of
this system and way of thinking among
the local staff. Mr. Masago said, “Quality
comes first. People who had worked
in completely different areas needed
to be trained in production line skills.
This required thorough instruction and
monitoring to ensure that everyone
understood the work. We exchanged
information with Mitsubishi Materials
staff and obtained knowledge and
information regarding processing. It
was very helpful.” Mr. Yamada from
Mitsubishi Materials said, “We placed
great emphasis on matters that are
highly regarded in Japan, such as
communication with overseas workers
about products and sharing information
on processes with our customers.
We worked hard to build cooperative
relationships at home and abroad to
ensure a prompt response to customer
needs.” Mr. Furubayashi from Mitsubishi
Materials added, “We worked hard to
perceive and accommodate customer
needs. The most important thing for us
is the willingness to work together with
customers to overcome difficulties.” Both
companies have the same desire to work
with customers to improve our products
and services and this strengthens the
relationship between us. During the
interviews, they expressed an attitude of
seeking the best process as professionals
in manufacturing. Mitsubishi Materials
continues to provide the best to each of its
customers around the globe by delivering
the most advanced process technology,
technology that can only be provided by
a company that is intimately familiar with
the characteristics of each product.
FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE
(Left) Mr. Furubayashi, Mr. Kitamura, andMr. Yamada (Mitsubishi Materials) from the left
(Middle) Yoshiki Oka: Powertrain Production Engineering Expert, Production Engineering Division, Mitsubishi Motors (in charge of machine technology)
(Right) Toshio Masago: Engine Department 1, Kyoto Engineering Department, Powertrain Production Plant, Mitsubishi Motors
