Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
We have a wide lineup of products from small sound pressure (70 dB) to large volume (112 dB), including single-frequency, voice, chime-sound, and combined frequency alarms. Our product lineup is the most extensive in Japan. We developed sound reduction, sound muting, sound pressure switching, automatic volume adjustment, and broadband frequency technologies to satisfy market requests. We have also conducted many joint development projects to satisfy individual requests from OEM manufacturers. We possess inspection equipment in-house as well as the largest anechoic chamber in the Tohoku region to supply products with stable quality. We have one production site each in Japan and China.


[Business description]
We mainly manufacture and sell back-up alarms, switches, and other electrical components for automobiles, trucks, industrial vehicles, and construction vehicles. Our company was established in 1946 and developed the world's first back-up alarm in 1963. We still supply this alarm in Japan and throughout the world as our major product. We also developed and supplied the first LED room lamp for construction machinery, which has been mounted on Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. products. We apply the forming, circuitry, and casting technologies indispensable for back-up alarm development to develop and produce a wide range of switches and circuit products. Our integrated production system includes quality assurance.


[Industry]
Automotive part and automotive product manufacturing and sales, including various switches and lightening instruments

[Strength of products/technologies]
We possess a patent for a combined frequency band alarm that enables accurate identification of a sound source direction, unlike conventional single-frequency alarms. This combined frequency band alarm can accurately identify a sound source, and also disperse a generated sound twice as much as before. An equivalent effect to conventional alarms can be obtained even when the sound pressure is lowered 5 dB. This enables a great reduction of noise impact on the environment. These characteristics are why our products are now employed for the Akita Prefecture EV Bus Project ELEMO. They are also used for passenger carts at Heathrow Airport in the UK and garbage trucks in New York.


[Representative's message]
Our company is conducting joint development activities with customers and in-house product development activities with special emphasis on development. Our Chinese factory has celebrated its 22nd anniversary and the Akita factory has been expanding production. Both factories are working powerfully in cooperation. We have a proven track record of exporting products throughout the world. We maintain a flexible supply system in the context of fierce changes in international situations and foreign exchange.


[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We have a sales division within the company, which has both development and sales functions. We have a wholly owned factory for production in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China. We can export products outside China under a bonded system based on import processing. We can reliably sell products in China. We produce and deliver assembly parts to manufacturers in China and beyond. We possess about 50 injection molding machines (50- to 450-ton), spray-painting booths in dustproof facilities, and a mold design and production division. We also have a warehouse in Chicago for sales and logistics in the United States.


[Market share/Ranking]
We have a 70% share of the construction machinery market, and a 60% share for forklifts.


[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Commendation by Toyota Industries as an excellent cost improvement company (2013); Grand Supplies Award from Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun (2007).

[Media]
Yomiuri Shimbun, "Automotive Coil Product" (2015); Akita Sakigake Shimpo, "LED Product for HV" (2012); Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, "ELEMO Bus Project Concentrating Akita's Technologies" (2013).


[Authorization/Certification]
ISO 9001
ISO 14001


[Joint research and development]
Joint development with Komatsu: Volume adjustment alarm that senses a construction machinery engine sound and generates sound pressure 4 dB higher than the engine sound. 
Joint development with Akita Prefecture and Isuzu Motors (Akita Prefecture EV Bus Technical Power Improvement Project): Vehicle approach notification alarm.


[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Nissan Motor (back-up alarms, since about 1980); Mazda (back-up alarms, 1990); Suzuki (back-up alarms, since about 1990); Toyota Industries (back-up alarms, since about 1990); Komatsu (vehicle travel alarms, since about 1980); Hitachi Construction Machinery (vehicle travel alarms, since about 1980); and many other manufacturers of construction and industrial machines.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
Komatsu (Shandong) Construction Machinery (mass production, since 2011); Brigade (mass production, since 1980); Bosch (mass production, since 1980); Standard Motor (mass production, since 1980); and Wells (mass production, since 1980).