-Paves Way for the start of Azbil Group’s “Mother Factory”
Tokyo, Japan – June 4, 2019, Azbil Corporation announced the completed construction of a 136701 square foot production facility at its main factory near the city of Shonan (Kanagawa prefecture, Japan). The new building is part of Azbil’s “mother factory” framework, which is expected to lead production innovation. The building is part of the group’s plans to consolidate domestic factories in order to create an advanced production network and further optimize overall production. With the addition of a new administration building built in June 2018 and the new facility, the Shonan factory will be the primary base for the Azbil Corporation’s global production network.
The “mother factory” will apply its best practices to other factories. It will include not only the Shonan factory but also the Fujisawa Technology Center, Azbil’s R&D facility located in the nearby city of Fujisawa. Created through collaborative efforts of both locations, the mother factory is expected to advance innovation for the next generation of production that brings humans, machines and processes.
Azbil’s new mother factory will perform three vital functions.
Create: While pursuing the latest technologies and developing MEMS*1 sensor package technology, the mother factory will create new and exceptional high value-added products and advanced production processes through leveraging automatic microassembly/microprocessing, AI, and ICT*2 technologies during production.
Verify: The mother factory will support high-mix low-volume as well as customized production. Through the development of advanced automated production lines where humans and machines work together, will be a place that will allow verification of production that is competitive, flexible, and resilient. The factory’s high-mix production allows the company to produce over 7000 varieties of control valves alone. The factory will employ an inspection system using AI to prevent human error and a thorough quality control system that utilizes big data. At the same time, Azbil will implement advanced automation based on AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) into various processes, including work that traditionally required human skills or judgement.
Lead: The Shonan factory will lead the azbil Group’s efforts in production, logistics, and procurement, standardizing various processes for global production and applying those practices to Group factories worldwide. The factory will also facilitate training of employees around the world in production and management.
Since 2013, Azbil Corporation has been reorganizing its production bases worldwide. By optimizing the location of development and production functions, azbil Group is engaged in restructuring its advanced development and production network. In addition to completing the new administrative and production buildings, Azbil is also consolidating their nearby Isehara factory with the Shonan factory to improve the Group’s overall production efficiency.
Guided by the philosophy of “human-centered automation,” the azbil Group strives to contribute to a better society by developing and providing products and services that address customers’ needs.
