Combining to contribute to the automobile industry: Kyushu Chemical handling metallic part surfaces, to begin operation on the 5th next month in Hougou, Taketa City

November 21, 2007: Six companies in Oita, Fukuoka Prefecture will establish Kyushu Chemical, which will handle the metallic surfaces of the interior and exterior of automobiles. The headquarter company will be built in Hougou, Taketa City which is located in the north of Oita. The whole manufacturing process will be automated with the most advanced facilities, and the completion ceremony will be held on December 5, which is also the day that the factory will start operation. Even though the level in this field of industry is low in Oita Prefecture, the contribution to the automobile industry is very much anticipated.

·        Niho Metals

·        Sasaki Seikou

·        Matsumoto Industries

·        Eike Car Maker

·        Tech

·        Nishi-nihon  

It is a rare case to see the same companies (stated above) in an industry contributing to the capital of a company together.

The President of the company will be the president of Niho Metals, and the capital is 70 million yen. The total land area is 6700m², and the one-storey metallic-structured factory occupies an area of 2200 m². The amount of investment adds up to a total of 550 million yen. The country and Oita Prefecture subsidize a portion of the land price.

The six companies are involved in the making of delicate parts, press products, interior parts and other items. Two workers, experienced in surface treatment, are sent to Nagoya City's advanced factory to learn about the technology. The initial number of staff is 10, and the targeted number of staff is 30 till next summer.

Kyushu Chemical factory uses electrical methods to melt nickel and chromium, followed by the metallic parts in the racks, passing through 56 containers in a sequence. Cleaning is done automatically. Satomoto said that the thickness of the coatings is in terms of micrometers. It was also expressed that the operation will be the biggest in Kyushu.

Mr. Okamoto, Oita's automobile-related industry president, said "This project will be sufficient to handle the surface treatment work in the prefecture, and it will also carry out work from Kantou and Kansai. The new factory's operation will be able to raise the level of competency in the manufacturing of vehicle parts."

Comments:

Kyushu is known for the manufacturing headquarters for the automobile industry in Japan. With the addition of Kyushu Chemical in Taketa City, it would certainly be a great contribution to the manufacturing of vehicles in Japan, and lead the Japanese automobile industry to greater heights in the future.

TEO Wee Boon

(Singapore)

APM 4

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University