News Release

Building the New AC Drive Factory Capable of producing three million units per year—a 50% increase

NewsDec 04, 2006

YASKAWA Electric Corporation (President Koji Toshima) plans to build a new factory that will increase production capabilities and improve product quality. Together with a plan of continuous release of new product lines starting from V1000 series in early 2007, this new factory is set to play a key role in YASKAWA’s plans to expand its business.

　

YASKAWA will greatly increase its ability to supply the market by building the new factory and by expansion of global manufacturing facilities. This will further solidify YASKAWA’s position as a pioneer touting the largest global share in the AC Drive market.
The new production system, including the new production facility (reducing production lead time based on SCM and globally shared production methods), will increase production capacity up to three million units per year and a production efficiency increase of 50%. Four billion yen will be invested in this new factory and new production system.

　

1. Business at YASKAWA
The quality and performance provided by YASKAWA Electric is known throughout the drives industry, and ensures YASKAWA’s hold on the top market share. Forecasts project YASKAWA to surpass 13% of the global market in 2006.*
As a pioneer of motor control, YASKAWA leads the industry by offering products loaded with a variety of innovative, original technology. Sales continue to grow as YASKAWA provides products that fulfill the market needs including energy conservation spurred by global warming.
With the central factory in Japan*1, YASKAWA’s manufacturing facilities are located where the markets are and they are in North America, Europe, and China.
*Estimates calculated by YASKAWA Electric.

2. Production Strategies for the New Factory
The new factory will serve to help YASKAWA capture 20% of the global market. The new factory will also function as a central “mother factory” for all the production facilities around the world.

　

   

(1)

Creating new production methods that use YASKAWA robots and FA technology
YASKAWA has created a production method that maximizes efficiency by integrating machinery, human workers, and IT in order to assemble products with top quality, guiding the workers with different skill levels.

　
 
  • Mass production through flexible, automated assembly lines:
    Each production cell modules equipped with YASKAWA robots are given work instructions through RFID*2 . Each cell is independent but a production line with multiple cells make up a flexible and automated production system. YASKAWA’s very own motion controllers and servo technology are utilized to maximize production efficiency.
  • Diverse-types production by “progressive cell line”:
    A few robots are employed in key processes to assure the quality. Assemblers are provided with their work instructions through electronics support system together with automated inspection system in each process.
 

　

(2)

Achieving globally common production methods

The new factory will function as a central “mother factory” for YASKAWA production facilities around the world, and all the production system will be operated with the same method. Production is to be managed by linking all global facilities with the most advanced networking technology and information sharing to ultimately achieve unsurpassed quality.

　

3. Overview of New Factory
The new factory will be built in Yukuhashi, in western Japan. Construction will begin in January 2007, and is scheduled for completion in July. The new factory will have an area of 12,000m2.

　

Explanation of terms used above:

　

*1 

Factories around the globe
U.S. Factory: YASKAWA ELECTRIC AMERICA INC.
                      Buffalo Grove, Illinois New Berlin, Wisconsin
U.K. Factory: YASKAWA ELECTRIC UK LTD.
                      Cumbernauld, Scotland
China Factory: SHANGHAI YASKAWA DRIVE CO., Ltd.
                         Jiading, Shanghai
   
*2 

 RFID technology
Abbreviation for “radio frequency identification”, RFID is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags.
   

*3 

 Yukuhashi factory
Main AC Drive production facility located in Yukushashi City, Fukuoka, Japan.

　

For more information, please contact:
Hideki Takasaki
Marketing manager
Drives Division
YASKAWA Electric Corporation
Tel: +81.930.25.2548
Fax: +81.930.25.3431

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