Caddy Holds "Monozukuri Future Conference in Las Vegas" with 200 Manufacturing Executives Active Worldwide

Caddy Inc. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yushiro Kato; hereinafter referred to as Caddy), which is challenging the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, is pleased to announce that it has held the "Monozukuri Future Conference in Las Vegas" for management-level personnel involved in manufacturing.

Amidst global changes, supply chain realignments, and an accelerating wave of digitalization, the manufacturing industry is facing an unprecedented period of transformation. Particularly in the rapidly changing American market, manufacturers are required to strengthen co-creation and forge the future. This conference was held with the awareness of these challenges, as a venue to share the insights of industry top runners and explore the next steps.

This conference, held for the second time in Las Vegas, USA, was graced with an opening address by Mr. Kotaro Otsuki, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco. Speakers included Mr. Yoichi Hori, Chairman and CEO of Subaru of America; Mr. Michimasa Fujino, former President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company; and Mr. Yushiro Kato, CEO of Caddy Inc. They shared real-world insights and future prospects for innovation in the manufacturing industry amidst a rapidly changing world, discussing perspectives essential for future industrial transformation, such as creating new markets through cross-industry challenges and maximizing competitiveness and profitability through technology selection, sharing practical knowledge for future business growth.

On the day, 200 top executives active in Japan, the United States, and around the world participated. Attendees listened intently to the passionate sessions by each speaker, and in the subsequent networking session, deep discussions took place among participants gathered around the same tables, focusing on "the first step towards transformation" tailored to their respective business challenges.

【Opening Remarks: Mr. Kotaro Otsuki, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco】

The Manufacturing Industry is at a Crossroads: Expectations for AI Implementation and Agile Organizational Reform

Mr. Kotaro Otsuki, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, pointed out the current situation where the manufacturing industry stands at a "crossroads" of digitalization and internationalization. Japan, which once boasted the era of "Japan as Number One," is now in a phase where it must answer how to socially implement innovative technologies such as AI and maintain/strengthen its competitiveness.

Based on the trends observed at this year's CES, Mr. Otsuki emphasized the necessity of agile organizational reform, stating, "How to reform organizations is an urgent task that awaits management-level individuals like yourselves."

He also cited "implementation of new technologies" as a tool for transformation and expressed expectations for open innovation through collaboration between startups and large corporations. "Through this event, I hope you will share each other's knowledge, experiences, and ideas to find solutions to your challenges," he said, emphasizing the utilization of the strengths of the manufacturing industry.