HIDAJournal 2013 AUTUMN No.3

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4 HIDA JOURNALvibrant small and medium-sized manufacturers in Japan.Having used experts dispatch programs of JODC (present-day HIDA) for overseas human resource development in the past, Tanazawa Hakkosha plans to use HIDA’s training program in Japan starting this fiscal year. We interviewed the company’s representatives to ask them about the circumstances under which the company came to use HIDA programs as well as their views regarding human resource development. (Interview date: September 5, 2013; interviewer: Hiroki Nogami)Example of an Experts Dispatch Program (Company Dispatching Experts and to Planning to Host Trainees from Abroad)Tanazawa Hakkosha Co., Ltd.The first company presented in this issue to show an example of an experts dispatch program is Tanazawa Hakkosha Co., Ltd. Established in 1905, Tanazawa Hakkosha is the largest mold manufacturing company in Japan. The company is engaged mainly in the chemical processing of metal molds for wrinkle processing (“shibo” processing) that produces wrinkle patterns on molded products. The Japanese word “shibo” (meaning wrinkle) is used throughout the world today. Tanazawa Hakkosha has a global network composed of eleven factories in Japan, three 100%-owned subsidiaries overseas (China (Shanghai and Guangzhou) and Thailand), and one joint venture company (the United States) as well as twelve affiliated companies in Asia, Europe and the United States, and Latin America.Under the founder’s life philosophy that skills supported by “sincere” trust in others and steady “efforts” attract customers who understand the value of such skills, Tanazawa Hakkosha has contributed to the development of a wide range of industries. In fiscal 2006, the company was chosen by METI’s Small and Medium Enterprise Agency among the 300 most Tanazawa Hakkosha Co., Ltd.CEO and President:Hajime TanazawaHead office:2-1-10, Nishi-ishikiri-cho, Higashi-Osaka City, OsakaIncorporated:April 8, 1953 (established in 1905)Capital: 98 million yenNumber of employees:342 (as of August 2013)Line of business:�etching processing, electroforming, manufacture of printed circuit boards, and related operationsFirst of all, let me ask you what the “shibo” processing technology is?The term “shibo” is used in countries around the world today. It is a term invented by our company’s founder to refer to wrinkle patterns on leather products. As Japan’s plastic industry experienced rapid development after the Second World War, shibo processing was highlighted as a product-processing technology that not only produces ornamental effects and improves surface texture quality, but also prevents the slipping of products, conceals stains and protects product from scratches.More specifically, “shibo” processing produces fine patterns (wrinkles) on mold surfaces either by chemically corroding mold surfaces (etching) to remove metal from the surfaces, or by blasting sand and other abrasives onto metal surfaces (sand blasting), and transcribes these fine patterns onto molded products.Please tell us how your company is branching out overseas.We have been invited by a number of automobile and home appliance manufacturers to branch out overseas and to start the local manufacturing of metal molds in other countries. Unlike large companies, however, SMEs have difficulty in creating manufacturing sites overseas. Therefore, we have spent time—sometimes even years—in associating with companies in other countries that are interested in our “shibo” processing technology, in order to carefully evaluate whether it is really possible to build a give-and-take relationship and mutual trust with them. We have concluded technical collaboration agreements only with companies that have been carefully selected through a time-consuming process. So far, we have concluded agreements with twelve companies in a total of eleven countries and territories (the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Taiwan, Brazil, India, Spain, Portugal, Indonesia and Malaysia).Meanwhile, we have also established 100%-owned subsidiaries in China and Thailand, where many Japanese companies have opened their business, in order to maintain business relationships with Japanese companies in these countries.What are the advantages of the “shibo” processing technology?The “shibo” processing technology provides a variety of advantages—for example, it requires no special tools or maintenance costs and makes it possible to process materials in a short period of time and to process almost all metals with a high level of precision. The “shibo” technology is widely used to improve the surface texture of house and automobile interior materials and home appliances. Consequently, we have business relationships with almost all automobile and house appliance manufacturers. Although we operate in a niche market, we are proud of the important role performed by the “shibo” processing technology.“shibo” processing sample

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