1. Home
2. Supplier Database
3. Major Suppliers
4. T.RAD Co., Ltd.
5. T.RAD Co., Ltd. Business Report FY ended Mar. 2016

T.RAD Co., Ltd. Business Report FY ended Mar. 2016

Factors
Sales at the Automotive Heat-exchanger Business
-Japan: Sales increased, barely, thanks to greater volumes of finished vehicles for export, especially to North America. However, sales were impacted by tax increases on minicars and temporary stoppages at production plants at major customers.
-U.S.: Sales significantly increased, thanks to increased orders from customers in line with the strong U.S. economy and new orders for new model types, of which production was launched.
-Europe: Sales increased due to the launch of production of vehicle models for which the Company won new orders, in spite of sales uncertainties at major OEM customers due to the worsening condition of the Russian economy.
-Asia: Sales increased due to the launch of production of vehicle models for which the Company won new orders in Thailand, even though sales of products for motorcycles decreased in Indonesia and Vietnam.
-China: Sales decreased due to fewer orders as a result of customers' adjusting their production volumes.

10th Mid-term Management Plan "T.RAD-10"

-In order to respond to global growth, increase production facilities in the U.S. and strengthen R&D functions outside Japan.
-Increase global sales of compact and high-efficiency casing-less oil coolers and EGR coolers as strategic products in the SMART Series, which covers minicars up to heavy-duty construction equipment.
-The TRA Profit Improvement Project was launched in response to a sudden increase in capital investment in line with T.RAD North America Inc.'s (TRA, a U.S. consolidated subsidiary) receiving greater numbers of orders.
-In order to respond to fewer orders for heat-exchangers in China due to the slowing economy, the Company worked to maintain and even increase sales of next-generation, environmentally friendly products such as automotive casing-less oil coolers and water-cooled intercoolers.

Eco-friendly products
-Major products: High-performance radiators, automotive intercoolers, EGR coolers, casing-less oil coolers, transmission (ATF) oil coolers/warmers, motorcycle radiators, automotive heat-recovery systems.
-In the fiscal year ending in March 2018, raise the companywide sales percentage of eco-friendly products to 40%. (They accounted for 35.5% in the fiscal year that ended in March 2016.)

"T.RAD-10" Target

Product Development

New type super-compact EGR cooler

• Significantly smaller and lighter EGT cooler for gasoline and LPL diesel engines, based on using a new-type, high-efficiency fin. With conventional products as benchmarks at 100%, these new coolers have 125% higher performance and are 63% lighter.
• Expand global operations at each business in Japan, the ASEAN Region, Europe, and North America.
• Completed development of a new-type, high-performance EGR cooler for HPL diesel engines.

High-performance aluminum water-cooled oil cooler

• Multiple uses, as it is compatible for various types of transmissions, HV motors, and engine oils.
• Significantly smaller and lighter in weight due to high-performance fins. With conventional products as benchmarks at 100%, these new coolers have 109% higher performance and are 89% lighter.
• They come in various shapes: round, square, rectangular
• Expand business globally based on three regions around the globe: Japan, China, and North America

New-generation Radiator: "SMART" (SliM & Advanced Radiator Technology)

• New series of radiator compatible with all types of vehicles such as motorcycles, small-size cars, heavy-duty trucks, etc.
• 11% lighter but still achieve high performance due to the improved fin tubes. With conventional products as benchmarks at 100%, these new SMART radiators have 111% higher performance and are 89% lighter.
• Development of high-strength materials to expand sales globally.
• Production line was made more compact and uses less energy.

Development of Automotive Components

R&D Activities

-New product development and existing product improvements

• New business sector: Development of cooling systems for environmentally friendly vehicles such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and fuel-cell vehicles.
• Existing business sector: Conducting R&D activities on current products to improve their performance and make them more compact and lighter in weight. Modularizing and systematizing cooling products. Developing heat-exchangers, taking into consideration recycling and improving exhaust-gas emissions and fuel efficiency.

-Fundamental R&D: Conducting fundamental research on new materials and processes, which means researching materials for heat-exchangers and developing surface-treatment and brazing technology.

-The Company has 277 industrial property rights, as of the fiscal year that ended in March 2016.

R&D Structure

-Japan conducts the main R&D activities (new product development, existing product improvements, fundamental research)
-The Company has R&D functions in the U.S. and India, developing products in response to both Japanese and non-Japanese OEMs' needs.
-Some production of prototypes and some evaluation tests are conducted in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and China.

R&D Facilities

-The Company plans to spend JPY 2,400 million for R&D expenses in the fiscal year ending in March 2017.

>>>Financial Forecast for the Next Fiscal Year (Sales, Operating Income etc.)