Panasonic Automotive Systems' Matsumoto Plant Wins Japan IE Literature Award

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Masashi Nagayasu, Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, hereinafter referred to as the Company) Matsumoto Plant has won the Improvement Award at the 55th Japan IE Literature Award (IE: Industrial Engineering) hosted by the Japan Industrial Engineering Association. This award is given annually to outstanding cases where significant efforts and ingenuity have been recognized in achieving on-site improvements using IE concepts and techniques.

Our Initiatives

At our Matsumoto Plant, we are engaged in manufacturing that flexibly responds to daily changing demands in a high-difficulty environment of multi-product, small-lot production. This time, by reviewing the production planning method and converting to a more efficient production method through collaboration among multiple functions such as production management, design, IT, and manufacturing, we have achieved a reduction in manufacturing lead time.

Award Details

Award Recipient

Matsumoto Plant Manager (as of September 2025) Wataru Awazawa

Title

Manufacturing Strong Against Demand Fluctuations

Award Reason

The content of improvement activities aimed at shortening the supply chain lead time and manufacturing lead time for multi-product, small-lot production is systematically described. Significant lead time reduction has been achieved through part type reduction activities in collaboration with the design and product development departments, and improvements in indirect work related to production planning. The content is excellent and serves as a reference for many companies engaged in multi-productization and variable production. In particular, the twists and turns of diligent efforts are finely described, and down-to-earth improvement activities are introduced. The improvement process is highly evaluated as an excellent example of IE, with both logical improvements to the system and cultural reforms that even address the psychological aspects.

We will continue to accumulate improvements as a team and work on enhancing the value of the Matsumoto Plant.

*Note: As of September 2025. Current Director of Factory Integration Center

About the Japan IE Literature Award

This award is hosted by the Japan Industrial Engineering Association and has been held annually since 1971. Outstanding papers and articles published in the association's journal 'IE Review' are awarded to contribute to the development and popularization of IE by presenting them to the industry and academia.

https://www.j-ie.com/ie_review/prize/

【About Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.】

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. is a global company headquartered in Japan with subsidiaries in 8 countries overseas. As a Tier 1 supplier, we provide advanced technologies such as infotainment systems to automobile manufacturers worldwide, contributing to the creation of comfortable, safe, and secure cars. Our corporate vision is to be the world's number one 'moving comfort design' company, responding to the expectations of our customers around the world with technology that supports people.

Incidentally, our company will change its name to 'Mobitera Corporation' starting April 1, 2027.

https://automotive.panasonic.com/