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5. Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Business Report FY ended Mar. 2016

Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Business Report FY ended Mar. 2016

Increase in production capacity of automotive plastic parts by 30%

-The Company is working to further grow its automotive plastic-parts business. In the summer of 2016, the floor space of the Mexico plant was increased by 20% to enable the plant to increase production of plastic parts for climate-control systems. At the end of 2016, a new plastic injection-molding machine will be installed at the Guangdong Plant in China that mainly manufactures airbags. In responding to the growing automotive market in both countries, the Company is investing a total of JPY 2 billion to boost production capacity by 30%. The assembly process is the main process involved with manufacturing airbags. As a result, the Company stated that with the growing advancement of onboard sensors, it’s very difficult to provide any added value by relying on its own technology. Since the production of plastic products starts with the Company’s procuring the raw materials for them on its own, there is a lot of room for creating added value by making plastic parts lighter. Based on this, the Company decided to increase capital spending.

Sales Promotion

Handles (Steering wheels), Airbags
-The Company is making proposals in response to two different needs:

• a need for high performance and quality products that meet strict safety regulations in North America and other markets
• a need for low-cost products for emerging countries

-Developing ways to increase the operating performance and feel of steering wheels. The right positioning of the central airbag and control switches increases safety and comfort of use.

Resin components
-Developing decorating technology based on highly efficient production methods and high-end materials that rely on automated systems, the Company can provide attractive products that meet customers’ diversified needs.

-Company-wide sales: higher in Japan as a result of increased production volumes; but overall are forecast to be lower due to the available product range in North America and Asia and due to negative currency translation.

-Sales by product: excluding Other product, sales of products are predicted to be lower because of negative currency translation. Based on the strategy for winning orders, the sales ratios of steering wheels and plastic parts are predicted to grow.

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

R&D Structure

R&D Activities

Safety Components

-The Company is developing high-quality and lightweight steering wheels by adopting heaters and vibration control technologies to improve functionality and maneuverability. It also uses new decorative techniques to add a high-quality feel.
- In order to enhance safety features, the Company is developing steering wheel packages that include an airbag.


-The Company is developing products with advanced occupant safety features that meet new safety regulations.
-The Company is working on reducing the use of organic solvents.


- Jointly with Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, development of an all-new material demonstrating superior water-retention performance and absorption performance resulting from its ultra-fine, hallow-formed structure that was made possible by microbial degradation of urethane scraps that result from the processing of automotive steering wheels. It was discovered that this material also is excellent in terms of sound absorption, so it is hoped it can be used as a material in new products and reduce cabin interior noise.

Resin Components

-The Company developed new fender protectors and cowl top covers by utilizing its super-fine injection molding technologies and lip-integrated structure design with glazing.
-The Company developed and commercialized blow-molded wheel resonators, which help reduce road noise.


-Ultra thin and highly functional ventilators
-The Company improved the functionality of consoles and glove boxes.
-It also developed and commercialized new interior panels by adding various decorative techniques to its advanced resin molding technology.

-During FY ended Mar. 2016, the Company invested in new equipment mainly to deal with vehicle model changes.
-The Company plans to spend JPY 6,434 million as capital expenditure for FY ending Mar. 2017. (dies, magnesium casting, magnesium recycling facilities, injection molding facilities, production facilities for new models, painting lines)