Tsubakimoto Chain's Challenge to Solve Product Site Issues and Transfer Knowledge / SELFBOT Use Case Interview Released
SELF Inc. released an interview detailing how Tsubakimoto Chain Co. utilized their generative AI chatbot 'SELFBOT' to double site traffic while keeping support inquiries flat.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 20:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 12:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 07:21 (91h 19m after Collected)
SELF Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shinji Fukumi, hereafter: SELF) announces the release of an interview article showcasing the use case of Tsubakimoto Chain Co. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka, President: Takatoshi Kimura, hereafter: Tsubakimoto Chain), a company that implemented SELF's generative AI chatbot 'SELFBOT'.
This interview details the reality of AI utilization and future prospects, ranging from solving website issues and streamlining inquiry responses in the manufacturing industry to utilizing internal knowledge.
Click here for the published article:
https://self.systems/ai-news-tsubaki-selfbot-interview/
Overview of the Interview
Tsubakimoto Chain Co. introduced the generative AI bot 'SELFBOT' along with the renewal of its product website, utilizing it as a guide to encourage customers to find solutions on their own. Achieving 24/7 direct responses, they have successfully suppressed the increase in inquiry volume even as site visitor numbers doubled.
This time, we spoke with Mr. Ogawa, who is involved in managing the company's product website, about the background and effects of introducing an AI chatbot in the manufacturing industry, as well as future prospects such as utilizing it for knowledge transfer.
About Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
Tsubakimoto Chain Co. is a machinery manufacturer founded in 1917 and holds a world-class market share in the industrial chain sector. Centered on the power transmission and materials handling fields, the company operates in 'Power Transmission,' 'Mobility,' and 'Materials Handling' businesses, supporting the development of the manufacturing and logistics industries. Expanding globally, it contributes to improving productivity across a wide range of industries.
Interview Excerpts
Challenges before implementation
The major challenge was the extremely large number of product items and the website's 'matrix structure' of products and content. Unlike a typical hierarchical structure, the route for customers to dig deep into their desired product information was complex and difficult to understand.
(Omitted)
Because we are a manufacturer, it is necessary to comprehensively cover deep product information on the site, such as technical data and correct handling methods, which I believe is a major point.
Effects after implementation
As a visible effect, despite the site's unique user (UU) count doubling from about 40,000 before implementation to about 90,000, the number of inquiries from the web has remained 'flat.' There are also few repeat inquiries, and we presume that the bot is preventing an increase in inquiry response workload by encouraging customers to solve issues themselves.
(Omitted)
We have received comments from customers saying, 'This is an advanced initiative,' and it serves as a conversation starter when sales reps visit clients. Internally, logs confirm that employees from other divisions are also using the bot.
SELFBOT and AI 'Tsubaki Rin' operating on Tsubakimoto Chain's product information site
About SELFBOT
It is a next-generation, high-accuracy chatbot that automatically learns from documents and URLs to provide instant answers. It can be used not only for internal support but also for customer service.
SELFBOT Customer Support: https://self.systems/selfbot/
SELFBOT Internal Use: https://self.systems/selfbot-inside/
SELF Inc. Company Profile
Location: Sumitomo Fudosan Nishi-Shinjuku Bldg. No.2 6F, 8-15-17 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Established: November 2014
Representative: Shinji Fukumi
URL: https://self.systems
App: https://self.software
Inquiries regarding this matter
Company Name: SELF Inc.
Email: info@self.systems
This interview details the reality of AI utilization and future prospects, ranging from solving website issues and streamlining inquiry responses in the manufacturing industry to utilizing internal knowledge.
Click here for the published article:
https://self.systems/ai-news-tsubaki-selfbot-interview/
Overview of the Interview
Tsubakimoto Chain Co. introduced the generative AI bot 'SELFBOT' along with the renewal of its product website, utilizing it as a guide to encourage customers to find solutions on their own. Achieving 24/7 direct responses, they have successfully suppressed the increase in inquiry volume even as site visitor numbers doubled.
This time, we spoke with Mr. Ogawa, who is involved in managing the company's product website, about the background and effects of introducing an AI chatbot in the manufacturing industry, as well as future prospects such as utilizing it for knowledge transfer.
About Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
Tsubakimoto Chain Co. is a machinery manufacturer founded in 1917 and holds a world-class market share in the industrial chain sector. Centered on the power transmission and materials handling fields, the company operates in 'Power Transmission,' 'Mobility,' and 'Materials Handling' businesses, supporting the development of the manufacturing and logistics industries. Expanding globally, it contributes to improving productivity across a wide range of industries.
Interview Excerpts
Challenges before implementation
The major challenge was the extremely large number of product items and the website's 'matrix structure' of products and content. Unlike a typical hierarchical structure, the route for customers to dig deep into their desired product information was complex and difficult to understand.
(Omitted)
Because we are a manufacturer, it is necessary to comprehensively cover deep product information on the site, such as technical data and correct handling methods, which I believe is a major point.
Effects after implementation
As a visible effect, despite the site's unique user (UU) count doubling from about 40,000 before implementation to about 90,000, the number of inquiries from the web has remained 'flat.' There are also few repeat inquiries, and we presume that the bot is preventing an increase in inquiry response workload by encouraging customers to solve issues themselves.
(Omitted)
We have received comments from customers saying, 'This is an advanced initiative,' and it serves as a conversation starter when sales reps visit clients. Internally, logs confirm that employees from other divisions are also using the bot.
SELFBOT and AI 'Tsubaki Rin' operating on Tsubakimoto Chain's product information site
About SELFBOT
It is a next-generation, high-accuracy chatbot that automatically learns from documents and URLs to provide instant answers. It can be used not only for internal support but also for customer service.
SELFBOT Customer Support: https://self.systems/selfbot/
SELFBOT Internal Use: https://self.systems/selfbot-inside/
SELF Inc. Company Profile
Location: Sumitomo Fudosan Nishi-Shinjuku Bldg. No.2 6F, 8-15-17 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Established: November 2014
Representative: Shinji Fukumi
URL: https://self.systems
App: https://self.software
Inquiries regarding this matter
Company Name: SELF Inc.
Email: info@self.systems