Coexisting with Local Communities
Basic Concept
The Tsubaki Group’s manufacturing and sales bases extend to 26 countries and regions across the world. We not only contribute to society through our business activities but also understand cultures and laws and regulations that differ by country and region and carry out a host of activities rooted in local communities as members of those communities.
Initiatives in Japan
Social Contribution Activities
As a member of the local community, in addition to active communication with the local people, we conduct a variety of social contribution activities.
eLINK V2X Bi-Directional EV Charging Systems Donated to Three Cities to Support Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
Our company donated eLINK V2X bi-directional EV charging systems to three cities (Kyotanabe, Nagaokakyo, and Hanno), for use in disaster prevention and disaster mitigation measures in the cities where our main plants are located.
In the event of a power outage resulting from a large-scale natural disaster or other such cause, electricity is supplied to civic halls (which serve as the emergency headquarters) and other facilities via the eLINK, using electric vehicles as the power source. The eLINK will be opened to the public as an electric automobile charger during normal times.
Local Residents Were Invited to a Cherry Blossom Festival, Held after Four Years at the Kyotanabe Plant
Kyotanabe Plant’s Cherry Blossom Festival was repeatedly cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2023, we held a Cherry Blossom Festival for the first time in four years. Over 500 local residents gathered to enjoy viewing thousands of cherry trees. Under the cherry blossoms in full bloom, on the grassy areas of the plant site, employees and local residents gathered with bento lunches they had brought with them, parents and their children played ball, and everyone enjoyed a beautiful spring day at the Kyotanabe Plant’s Cherry Blossom Festival. We also set up a presentation area at the entrance of the plant building, to introduce the company to the local residents who came to the festival. We showcased Tsubaki products not commonly seen, and introduced the company’s history to help the local residents gain a deeper understanding of our company.
After viewing the presentation on our company at the Kyotanabe Plant’s entrance, the local residents thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Nurturing the Next Generation
We plan and host events designed to deepen understanding of manufacturing corporations through visiting national institutes of technology to give lectures to students and inviting students from elementary and junior high schools to experience plant tours and students from junior and senior high schools for work experience programs.
Held the Tsubaki Future Product Creation Contest in a Collaboration Class with NIT(KOSEN), Maizuru College
After many collaboration classes with NIT(KOSEN), Maizuru College, we held the Tsubaki Future Product Creation Contest for the sixth time. The Grand Prize-winning team in FY 2022 won with theme of “Generate power just by living your life! Eco living.” The team’s idea is to generate power from the energy of vibrations and other movements made in daily life, and then store that power in eLINK and efficiently manage it. After the award ceremony, we also held a round-table talk with the students and Tsubaki employees who are NIT(KOSEN), Maizuru College alumni. In addition to reviewing and commenting on the collaboration class, the Tsubaki employees gave the NIT(KOSEN), Maizuru College students some pointers on job hunting and other advice, and exchanged opinions with them. One of the aims of this round-table talk is to make the students aware of the appeal of our company, and hopefully encourage them to apply to work at Tsubaki. We will continue to hold the Tsubaki Future Product Creation Contest, and keep improving it so that the students will be even motivated to participate.
Collaboration on a Workplace Learning Experience for Junior High School Students (Hyogo Plant, Okayama Plant)
We held a workplace learning experience at the Hyogo Plant for second year students at three local junior high schools in Kasai City.
Since FY 2022 Kasai City has been emphasizing inquiry-based learning. Students are assigned a mission from the Mayor of Kasai City of “working on issues in local companies and Kasai City.” With assistance from the companies, the students have been trying to find solutions to these issues.
At the Okayama Plant, we held a workplace learning experience over three days for local second year junior high school students. The students learned about how fun, difficult, and important work is, through their work experience at a manufacturing site and by trying to operate CAD in the Products Engineering Department.
Hands-on Events for Local Elementary and Junior High School Students
In FY 2022, we started holding events again at various regions in Japan, while keeping in mind measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Tsubakimoto Chain Kyotanabe Plant
Summer Holiday Family Visit Program for elementary school students at Kyotanabe City. This is a popular event that allows the students to experience various programs, with the concept of “experiencing manufacturing with the five senses.” It has become a valuable opportunity for locals and Tsubaki employees to interact with each other.
Tsubakimoto Chain Hyogo Plant
Cooperation with the Summer Holiday Family Visit Program, sponsored by the Kasai City Chamber of Commerce. Elementary school students and their parents can create fun summer holiday memories at this plant visit program.
Tsubakimoto Chain Saitama Plant
We have been actively accepting students for the workplace learning experience, as a part of career education activities for local elementary and junior high school students. In March 2023, we demonstrated how enjoyable work can be through manufacturing experience for students with special needs.
Environmental Activities
We are taking part in community-based environmental events, including holding environment-themed classes in elementary schools. Each business site is also taking part in clean up activities with surrounding communities. Employees actively participate, working to be good members of the community.
Tsubakimoto Mayfran
We undertake landscaping activities, including cutting the grass twice a year and maintaining the cherry blossom trees, to maintain the beauty of the environment alongside the river next to the plant.
Kyotanabe Environment Festival
We also actively participate in local events, and introduce our environmental impact reduction activities through our products and efforts to reduce the environmental impact at our plants.
Tsubakimoto Bulk Systems and Other
Twice a year, we take part in joint cleaning activities run by local Industrial Park member companies, which help to keep the local environment looking clean and beautiful.
Overseas Initiatives
Overseas, we are engaged in various charity and environmental activities to accommodate the unique character of each region.
Mangrove-planting Activities in Thailand
Tsubakimoto Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (TAT)
Tsubaki Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (TAT) began mangrove-planting activities in 2008. With the expansion of business, the number of employees who volunteer each year has been growing, and in FY 2020 we planted some 2,800 trees. Over 12 years, we have planted a total of 32,753 trees, which equates to a reduction of 408.31 metric tons of CO2. These steady and continuous activities contribute to global warming countermeasures.
We have been expanding our CSR activities across the board, not just these mangrove-planting activities, but also conservation activities for wild animals (salt and nutrient supplementation activities) as well as selling recycled goods brought in by employees and donating the proceeds to elementary schools.
Initiation of a Land Reclamation Project in Collaboration with the Local Government (Germany)
Tsubaki Kabelschlepp GmbH (TKG)
TKG, in collaboration with the municipal government of Wenden (where the main plant is located), initiated a land reclamation project on its plant grounds. This project’s goal is to restore the greenery to the brownfield area that emerged with the increase in the number of factory buildings, and to realize production activities in harmony with nature. The first step was planting trees and putting beehives in place, as well as laying down a pathway. Future activities to deepen collaboration with the municipal government, such as collecting ideas from the local residents for restoring the brownfield, are also planned.
Charity Activities in Various Countries
U.S. Tsubaki Holdings, Inc.
(United States: Holyoke & Chicopee Plant)
We participated in Volunteer Week, organized by a Japanese automobile manufacturer. We also did volunteer work at the warehouse of a foodbank.
U.S. Tsubaki Holdings, Inc.
(United States: Tennessee Plant)
At the Tennessee Plant, employees take part in various local volunteer activities, such as food drives to donate food items to local welfare organizations and the like.
Tsubaki Kabelschlepp GmbH
(Germany)
Thanks to in-house fundraising activities, we donated money to a food bank and two other organizations.
