  In March of 2008, the 20 story KYOCERA MITA R&D Center was completed at the Global Headquarters.
In recent years, environment responsiveness and security measures to protect against information leaks has been in demand in regards to document machines such as printers and multifunctional products connected to the company's information system. The strengthening of the development of products with the latest equipment is imperative in order to address office needs. The R&D Center is also a major investment intended to realize an increase in the speed of technological development.
With the completion of the R&D center came great changes to the roles of domestic plants. The functionality of these plants as production technology centers was strengthened. Through the further clarification of the role of each plant, including the Tamaki Plant which supports China, the Hirakata Plant which concentrates on control and production management operations, and the China Plant which specializes in maximizing productive power, the production of highly trustworthy products was further strengthened.
Preceding the completion of the R&D Center, a new plant building was completed at the Tamaki Plant in February, 2008. Accompanying its completion, the Tamaki Plant began concentrating operations as a Production Technology Center, a Color Toner Development and Mass Production Center, and as a plant that conducts trial manufacturing support for all new products (concurrent manufacturing).
On one hand, the Hirakata Plant concentrates production management operation functions. On the other hand, as its central function this plant operates as a distribution center for maintenance parts.
The Hirakata Plant ceaselessly supplies, to Japan and the world, maintenance parts required by the market in a timely manner. Furthermore, as a base for environmental improvement, the Hirakata Plant seeks to achieve optimal thoroughness in recycling and reusing. Personnel, regarded as masters of their field for their skills and knowledge, conduct the product recycling/reusing process. They have a role that is similar to that of a surgical doctor because they take each individual part from the document imaging devices, which is collected from our customers, and accurately judge its durability and ability to be recycled.
The motto of the China, Shilong Plant is "Become a top class Chinese plant through collective group effort". They are advancing a production innovation project based off of an innovation of the "cell production method" which has been used in domestic plants. This "group cell method" has been introduced as a new production method. The group cell method entails dividing a single product into several units, the production process of which is conducted by ten-member teams known as "group cells". Planning productivity and quality improvement and at the same time raising individual skills and occupational ability levels was an issue that was faced. By taking a manufacturing structure that uses group units we aim to improve motivation as well as instill awareness that individual skill increases are connected to productivity increases in the entire group.
Engaging in the production of goods necessitates the use of energy. At every plant, we have minimized energy consumption, reduced CO2 output, and worked to give maximum consideration to the environment. Our efforts are not limited to simply turning off the office lights at lunch time and relaxing dress rules during the summertime, but also proactive efforts such as power generation with wall-mounted solar panels (Hirakata Plant). Another innovative process we have developed is to use electricity to freeze water overnight and minimize its waste materials in order to avoid releasing waste water from our plant. We then reuse the remaining cold water to air condition the plant. These are all enterprise activities conducted as part of our great responsibility to society. Through the production of goods, every person at Kyocera Mita will continue to give consideration toward low-energy consumption solutions and the environment.
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