This year, Sachiko and I attended the Manufacturing World Japan exhibition at the Big Sight exhibition hall in Tokyo. Manufacturing World is a leading series of industrial trade shows for the manufacturing industry, held four times a year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. It consists of 10 specialized shows covering a wide range of products and technologies.
One focus area at the exhibition was the digitalization of business, known as DX (as the Japanese abbreviate it). Japanese manufacturers are seeking ways to digitize all aspects of their operations, which marks a significant shift for the country. Japanese businesses still rely on outdated technologies despite its reputation as a technological hub. Tech czar Taro Kono is attempting to phase out floppy disks and fax machines in the Tokyo government by rewriting data storage and transmission regulations. This battle was on display at the Manufacturing World Japan exhibition this summer.
The exhibition hall was dominated by exhibitors of various sizes, offering solutions for companies of any size or legacy. Notable companies included Google and Salesforce and Japanese firms like Hitachi, Misumi, Kintone, and Zero Four. The show featured a range of solutions for asset management, HR, supply chain management, quality and inspection, and facility management.
While American companies generally have a head start in digitalization and have largely digitized shop floor management and estimation since the 90s, other areas of interest at the exhibition were unrelated to digitalization.
One aspect that caught my attention was the sophistication of Japanese corporate uniforms. In contrast to the typical American uniform of polo shirts and khakis, Japanese uniforms are engineered to project a sleek and technologically advanced image while ensuring workers stay cool. As the climate changes, Japanese uniforms have adapted active and passive cooling systems. Personally, I even purchased a wearable heat pump from Sony to keep cool during the sweltering Tokyo summer. It’s essential for Jordan Manufacturing to prioritize our workers’ comfort, safety, and productivity, especially as we work with customers and vendors around the world.
Another area of interest was material handling. Jordan Manufacturing specializes in metal stampings and assemblies, often dealing with numerous boxes on the floor. At the exhibition, companies showcased suction systems for picking and placing boxes, even those made of porous cardboard materials. This has clear ergonomic benefits and could be integrated into our assembly cells while providing advantages for aging workforces by reducing fatigue and injuries.
While it’s evident that robotics and additive manufacturing have a promising future in the global industry, it’s crucial to remember that people will always be a significant part of manufacturing. Investing not only in the comfort and safety of our coworkers but also in improving other processes such as sales, planning, quality management, and HR is essential.