2012

(Posted Oct. 2012)

Continuing to Meet the Changing Demands of New Eras

Minebea's manufacturing approach has remained unchanged since the company's founding, even to the present day, when the company has risen to hold the world's No. 1 share in the miniature ball bearing market. That approach can be summarized as the provision of products and technology society needs, by optimal means—in the simplest terms, manufacturing higher quality products, at a lower price, faster, and in greater quantities than the competition. Amid changing eras, however, the demand for better bearings—which are often called the "backbone" of industry—never stops.

For example, Minebea has succeeded in enhancing the corrosion-resistance of bearings more than 20 times the traditional level to meet demands for products which can be used in healthcare-related equipment exposed to water, blood, and chemicals. We continue to research the miniaturization of HDD bearing width from 2mm to 1mm as notebook PCs reach the limit of thinness. As a further example, we continue to develop ball bearings for turbo chargers, which can reduce the environmental burden of automobiles, in order to meet demands for products which can operate stably under severely high temperatures and high rotational speeds.

At Minebea, we are acutely aware of the importance of our responsibility to supply products as a leading bearing manufacturer. In 2011, during the massive flooding in Thailand, some of our bearing manufacturing plants were idled for about two weeks. We responded by increasing production at manufacturing plants in other locations. In fact, even before this crisis, we had established a structure in which we strategically stock parts and products to ensure that we can continue to supply customers without delay even with a one-month suspension of manufacturing operations. This structure ensures that any crisis has a minimal affect on customers.

The 60-year history of Minebea since its founding has been a chronicle of simple and sincere manufacturing challenges. That history has nurtured a unique manufacturing philosophy which emphasizes manufacturing higher quality products, at a lower price, faster, and in greater quantities than the competition. This will remain the central credo by which Minebea contributes to society and fulfills its responsibilities into the future. Minebea will continue to take on new manufacturing challenges in order to respond to the needs of its customers, employees, local communities, and other stakeholders and meet society's expectations.