Continuing to generate unique technologies to address vital social concerns, such as environmental preservation, through more efficient research and development and by integrating our various material technologies
Developing a system for more efficient R&D
It is absolutely essential for a technology-oriented company like Furukawa Electric to efficiently generate new technologies. For this reason, we recently introduced the management of technology (MOT) approach. This is an attempt to develop an “eye for the market” within our R&D division by setting “commitment projects,” with clear deadlines, as well as “challenge projects” that staff seek to successfully accomplish by the end of each fiscal year for each R&D theme, in addition to managing their own progress.
Even the most outstanding technology has no value if it fails to reach the market at the right time. We are therefore concentrating our efforts on developing a system in which manufacturing and facility engineers participate from the R&D stage to ensure a steady and smooth transition from development to mass production. We intend to drive our twin wheels of creativity—the ability to generate new products and our on-site manufacturing skills—with even greater efficiency.
Leveraging the unique creativity derived from the integration of various material technologies
As we strive to establish this system, we are also taking on the challenge of developing completely new, market-leading technologies by leveraging Furukawa Electric's unique strengths, which lie in our position as one of the world's few companies that possesses material technologies in the three areas of optics, metals and plastics. Innovative technologies and products generated by integrating these three areas are extremely wide-ranging in their application and possess infinite potential.e environment is one area of focus in which we have been investing resources over the past few years. In fact, we are already beginning to produce technologies that contribute to preserving the global environment, such as superconductive cables with less energy loss, developed by fully utilizing our superconductivity technology. I believe my mission is to realize an organization that pursues the challenge of monozukuri (manufacturing) as a united group through an active exchange among research laboratories so that we can continue generating these kinds of technologies. I am confident that Furukawa Electric will meet your highest expectations through the power of its collective creativity.
Kosaku Nakano
Chief Technology Officer & Chief Production Officer