Astemo Introduces Manufacturing AI Data Platform CADDi at Hanoi Facility

Caddi Inc. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yushiro Kato; hereinafter "Caddi"), which is challenging the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, is pleased to announce that it has provided its manufacturing AI data platform, CADDi, to Astemo Hanoi Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Astemo Hanoi"), a group subsidiary of Astemo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Kohei Takeuchi; hereinafter "Astemo"). This initiative has supported Astemo Hanoi in reducing the time spent searching for information in its quoting and production launch operations, and in shifting resources towards value-added tasks.

Challenges and Background of Implementation

Astemo, which handles a wide range of products globally, including electric powertrains and advanced chassis for both four- and two-wheeled vehicles, operates a manufacturing plant in Hanoi, Vietnam, supplying parts for the local two-wheeler market. The company was established in January 2021 through the merger of four entities. However, even after the integration, the design development tools and ERP systems from each of the former four companies continued to coexist, and the product planning to launch process remained fragmented according to the former organizational structures. The site, required to comply with both legacy rules and the new system's rules simultaneously, experienced a de facto doubling of operational workload.

Furthermore, Astemo Hanoi had a chronic issue with difficult internal access to design and cost-related information, where the effort required to find necessary data was burdening the site's core operations. To maintain its market share in the maturing Vietnamese two-wheeler market, it was imperative to concentrate personnel and resources on value-added activities such as competitor trend analysis and high-quality responses to customer demands, making a fundamental improvement in the operational structure an urgent necessity.

Effects of Implementation

The introduction of CADDi has reduced the man-hours previously spent searching for information in quoting and production launch operations, creating more time to dedicate to value-added activities like improving the quality of competitor research and customer requirement responses. In the quality assurance department, a review of the necessity of accumulated inspection items has begun, with a view to reducing inspection man-hours themselves. Moreover, an unexpected change has occurred: members who were initially hesitant towards digital tools are now proactively proposing their utilization, fostering a culture of digital adoption on the factory floor.

Future Outlook

Based on the results achieved at the Hanoi facility, Astemo Hanoi plans to further optimize its overall quoting operations and shorten production launch lead times. Beyond that, the company is considering initiatives such as data integration across group facilities, visualization and optimization of the global supply chain, and standardization of inventory management systems. Caddi will continue to support manufacturing companies in their business transformation and enhancement of global competitiveness through its manufacturing AI data platform, CADDi.

■ Comments from Mr. Shintaro Higuma, General Director of Astemo Hanoi Co., Ltd.

Mr. Shintaro Higuma

"If we hesitate to change, the members on the ground will continue to suffer, so I decided to implement it with the resolve that 'I alone will take responsibility even if it fails.' In reality, after implementation, site personnel experienced time savings, and the views of managers who were initially negative have shifted to a positive outlook. The success of this implementation is due to the strong trust we placed in Caddi's approach of visiting the factory to understand the site's realities and their passion for transforming Japanese manufacturing. Recently, members have started using CADDi proactively, inspired by it. I want management to give the site opportunities to take on challenges, and for the promoters to take on the challenge of 'starting small first.'"

▶︎ For more details on this case study, please visit the following page:

Continuing to Win in a Market at a Turning Point – Business Transformation That Began with "Let's Just Try It"

About the Manufacturing AI Data Platform CADDi (Caddi) (https://caddi.com/)

"Manufacturing AI Data Platform CADDi" is a product that enhances production activities and decision-making by analyzing and correlating data across the manufacturing engineering and supply chains to extract insights. It leverages manufacturing expertise and the power of AI and technology to transform scattered experience and data into assets, thereby enhancing competitiveness.