Manager, Shiga UV
Manufacturing Section
K.T.
Current Role and What Drives Me
Smart Factories for a Sustainable Future
Currently, I am leading efforts to modernize our production processes by transforming our factory into a smart factory. Traditionally, "smart" manufacturing is about automating processes, reducing worker burdens, and improving overall efficiency. However, I approach this transformation with a deeper commitment to our new corporate vision, which emphasizes sustainability.
Manufacturing doesn't end when a product is made or shipped. Our goal is to continuously contribute to both our clients and society. This involves identifying challenges, visualizing issues, and implementing improvements—and when these efforts come together smoothly, there’s a real sense of accomplishment. As a result, we have successfully streamlined energy consumption and operational costs, ultimately enhancing the cost-performance of our products.
What Sets T&K TOKA Apart?
Unmatched Innovation and Teamwork
Our greatest strengths lie in our adaptability to client needs and our unique approach to innovation—qualities that have helped us secure the No.1 market share in UV inks in Japan.
Despite the physical separation of our departments—R&D, production, and sales—our teams remain deeply connected through strong cross-functional collaboration. As a production specialist, I ensure that the innovative inks developed by our R&D team are manufactured while maintaining high quality. However, real-world production doesn't always go as planned.
When challenges arise, our R&D experts step onto the production floor, sharing insights into the ink’s composition and even offering direct guidance on optimizing production processes. This unified, cross-departmental teamwork is a defining strength of T&K TOKA.
A Success Story
Overcoming Challenges Through Cross-Departmental Support
About ten years ago, we embarked on a project to develop and produce energy-saving UV ink. Maintaining quality was particularly challenging, and we initially struggled to achieve consistent results.
At times, the difficulties seemed overwhelming. However, through relentless experimentation with different dispersion conditions, combined with valuable guidance from our R&D team, we gained deeper insight into the properties of energy-saving inks. Additionally, our production team worked closely with engineering specialists to fine-tune machine settings.
The moment we successfully produced high-quality energy-saving UV ink at standard production speeds, I felt an incredible sense of achievement. More than anything, this was a testament to our collective strength as a team.
Although I rarely interact directly with clients, hearing feedback from sales colleagues—“That ink is getting fantastic reviews!”—made all the effort feel truly worthwhile.
The Next Challenge
Standardizing Specialized Skills
At T&K TOKA, we take pride in our expertise and specialization. However, this often leads to knowledge and skills becoming too dependent on individual employees.
When I first joined, I learned through the traditional method of "watch and learn, listen and remember." But for the younger generation, this approach is no longer effective. To ensure our expertise is accessible to everyone, we must standardize our processes.
We are now implementing new training methods, including video tutorials and structured manuals, rather than relying solely on one-on-one mentorship. As new, diverse talents join our workforce, we must ensure that our knowledge is easily transferable and continuously evolving.
By laying the foundation for a sustainable learning culture, we are preparing for a future where anyone stepping into our factory can seamlessly inherit our expertise and drive innovation forward.
