This article is a tie-up with the Niigata Prefecture Federation of Small Business Associations and Manufacturing Support Centre.

Numerous attractive companies are active in Niigata Prefecture. This section picks up on 'ChangeLeaders' who create new value by 'changing themselves positively'.

In the fifth edition, Shinwa Plating Industries Ltd. continues to take on the challenge of introducing the latest machinery and new technologies. This growing company has doubled its sales through the introduction of environmentally friendly machinery and gold plating processes.

The way to survive is not to maintain the status quo, but to keep changing.

Plating is the process of applying a film of metal, such as zinc or gold, to a material using electricity and chemical reactions. This technology is effective in preventing rust, making solder easier to apply, etc.

The top 5% of companies in the plating industry account for approximately 90% of industry sales, and small and medium-sized establishments are said to have a difficult time surviving in the industry. Shinwa Plating Industry was also forced into a difficult situation by the Lehman Brothers collapse.

'A small company can only survive if it keeps challenging itself' and embarked on a management reform. Using a 2013 Monozukuri subsidy(*), the company replaced its ageing cleaning equipment with an environmentally friendly cleaning process. Efforts were made to reduce environmental impact and improve the working environment.

Monozukuri subsidy: Common name for a project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency to support capital investment, etc. that contributes to improving productivity.

In the following year, the company also utilised a manufacturing subsidy to introduce equipment capable of processing gold plating on aluminium die-cast, a material that has rapidly become popular in recent years. The company's sales doubled as a result of capital investment that anticipated the market.

Rust-resistant surface treatment 'Shinwa ZiNT'.

The company developed Shinwa ZiNT, the first in Japan to introduce a highly corrosion-resistant topcoat, based on US plating technology, believing that "small and medium-sized enterprises can survive by producing a wide variety of products in small lots by utilising their high technological capabilities". The corrosion resistance is more than 20 times higher than that of conventional zinc plating.

Furthermore, in collaboration with universities, the company is involved in research into technological development. The company is also active in disseminating information, such as classes on plating technology and accepting interns, and in creating a pleasant working environment for its employees. The company has grown to be a magnet for people, even amid labour shortages in many parts of the world.

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Change 1: Practical implementation of environmentally friendly cleaning processes

Trichloroethylene is generally used in the cleaning process for copper and copper alloys. However, the environmental impact was high and there were concerns about the health of the workers, so an environmentally friendly cleaning process was developed using a manufacturing grant. Efforts were also made to improve the working environment and line efficiency, leading to a reduction in the amount of money and production man-hours spent on defects.

Non-ferrous metal cleaning equipment, from washing to drying of set products.

Sparing no expense in investing in the necessary equipment to create a good working environment for staff.

Change2: Developing gold plating processes for new materials in response to market needs

In response to customer requests for gold plating on a new material, aluminium die-cast, several gold-plating machines and other equipment were installed with the help of subsidies. Furthermore, the company developed a 'partial gold plating' technology that reduces the mass of gold used for plating by 62%. This enabled the company to enter the production of parts for LED-based lighting fixtures, a market that was expanding, and the company's sales doubled.

Only a few establishments in the prefecture are able to gold-plate aluminium die-castings.

Electroless nickel plating equipment purchased with a manufacturing grant.

Change 3: Disseminate information to students and outside the industry in an easy-to-understand manner.

The company has an extensive website in order to expand its plating technology and change the image of the town factory. The company continues to give on-site classes at the Joetsu Comprehensive Technical High School and accept student interns. By using expressions and communication methods that are easy to understand for people who are not familiar with plating, the company's initiatives have gained the support of the media, the local community and the families of employees.

9 Nov 2017 - 'Plating teacher' for high school classes.

The company has hosted interns for three consecutive years. This year, for the first time, past interns joined the company as employees.

Taking advantage of small advantages to develop new fields and add value

新しいことに積極的に挑戦できるのは、組織の身軽さがプラスに働いているから。規模拡大を目指すのではなく、現在の20名弱のチームで技術力を高めていきたいです。2016年に開発した防錆表面処理「新和ZiNT」は、米国のメーカーと技術提携で実現した日本初の独自技術。これにより新たに航空機部品加工へ参入予定です。このように、海外にも目を向けながら世の中の流れを先取りし、付加価値の高い製品をつくることで、未来に残る会社にしていきたいです。

専務取締役 瀧見 直晃さん

Product pick-up! 'Gold-plated aluminium die-castings'

Corrosion resistance is added to aluminium die-castings to enhance heat dissipation of electronic components and make solder easier to apply. The electronic components are also inspected at a dedicated factory. The company also offers partial gold-plating process, which reduces the amount of gold used.

Company profile

Shinwa Plating Industry Co.

Established in 1961. The company's main business is the plating of gas appliance parts, heating appliance parts and machine parts. In recent years, the company has focused on developing new technologies, cultivating new customers and producing a wide variety of products in small lots. In 2015, the company also set up an English-language division and is involved in overseas strategies for companies in Joetsu City. He is also a member of the Joetsu Ironworkers Cooperative.

Address: 1631 Oaza-Tsuchihashi, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.

TEL : 025-524-5426

HP ：http://www.shinwa-mekki.com/

This article is a tie-up with the Niigata Prefecture Federation of Small Business Associations and Manufacturing Support Centre.