Special Feature Article
Increased entry of parts suppliers into new businesses〜Seeking next-generation businesses for the arrival of the EV era〜

As the automotive industry faces a "once-in-a-century" transformation,
automotive parts manufacturers are scrambling to establish new businesses.
Although there have been moves to diversify businesses in the past, thecompany sees new businesses as a promising source of future earnings
against the backdrop of a decrease in the number of parts due to the spread ofEVs and a shortage of labor. Furthermore, they hope to link their efforts tosolutions to social issues such as increasingly severe disasters and the need toimprove food self-sufficiency. They are taking on the challenge of developing
new business areas by leveraging its expertise in R&D and production
management cultivated in the automotive parts business.
Seek to utilize core technologies in different fields
Aisin CORPORATION, which manufactures key components for electricvehicles such as eAxles, has proposed a technology using ultra-fine waterparticles called "AIR. It can produce water particles of less than 2 nanometers(one billionth of a meter), the "world's smallest," or 1/600th the size of ordinarywater vapor. The company has applied cartridge technology used to treat
impurities in automobile exhaust gas, as well as temperature and humidity
control know-how cultivated in the bed business it once handled.
The barber and beauty industry has taken notice of it, and many beautysalons in the Kanto and Chubu regions have introduced the Hydraid, which isused in barbering equipment for scalp care. Since the particles of the AIR are
smaller than the skin's crevices, moisture can penetrate to the stratum corneum.
The company has presented its effectiveness in treating atopic dermatitis at theJapanese Dermatological Association. The company continues to makeproposals for potential applications, such as maintaining the freshness of foodproducts and enhancing the penetration effect of drugs in the medical field.
Decrease in demand due to the shift to EVs as a backdrop
As a move to solve social issues by leveraging core business, NOKCORPORATION is developing an Electroencephalogram(EEG) measuring

device called "Sotto Brain" by utilizing its rubber technology cultivated in the oilseal business. A "bio-rubber electrode," a combination of rubber and conductive
material, is attached to the backside of a hat, and brain waves can be measured
by placing the clip-type electrode between the earlobes. Currently used EEG
measurement devices use metal electrodes that are applied with gel to the skin,
but the company's technology uses a rubber material that adheres closely to theskin for quick and easy measurement.
The company boasts a 70% share of the global market for oil seals among
Japanese automobile manufacturers. In addition to sealing performance, thecompany has expertise in heat resistance and wear resistance. On the otherhand, demand for parts for internal combustion engines and transmissions isexpected to decline in the future due to the shift to EVs. Therefore, with the aimof utilizing Sotto Brain in dementia prevention programs, etc., the company isalso working on the development of an application for smartphones that willallow users to check the status of brain waves and necessary training.
Contribute to social issues such as disasters and aging populations
UACJ Corporation, an aluminum rolling manufacturer, is working on thedevelopment of watertight plates. As flood damage from torrential rains andother disasters becomes more serious throughout Japan, the company isreceiving an increasing number of inquiries for watertight plates as well assandbags.
The company's experience in the disaster has led to the development ofthese plates. In September 2020, a linear precipitation zone occurred around
Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, causing flood damage in the city. In preparation
for preventing future damage, the company took a hint from the "AORI(frame)"
for truck beds

and applied its extrusion and parts fitting technologies tocommercialize a water stop plate called "Mizuyoujin" (watch out for water). The
company intends to contribute to effective disaster prevention and mitigation byusing 3D modeling software to confirm the installation location and developing atechnology that is linked to a weather application to inform the user when to
install the watertight panels.
Entering a growing industry from scratch
On the other hand, some companies are exploring areas completely
different from their existing businesses. Last year, TPR Co., Ltd., whose mainbusiness is engine parts such as piston rings, developed "Koromoko," an AI(artificial intelligence) robot for nursing care. Although the company did not haveexpertise in robot development, it developed a new communication robot bytaking advantage of the fact that its group companies are involved in the nursing
care business.
The fluffy-looking body is equipped with heart rate measurement sensors
under the armpits and in the mouth, and a camera in the eyes that can analyze
the facial expressions of the patient. The aim is for Koromoko to be a talking
companion for the person being cared for and to help them feel more positive.
At the same time, it is expected to reduce the burden on nursing home staff.
The company developed the device in cooperation with a university todetermine what kind of words would be appropriate to encourage users and tohelp bathe, eat, etc., in a way that is attuned to their feelings. The product wastested at the group's nursing care facilities before the launch.
NTN Corporation, whose main business is bearings, is involved in
independent power supply products that utilize renewable energy. The
company's "N-Cube" is a container-type independent power source equippedwith solar and wind power generation equipment and storage batteries. Inside
the container, electrical outlets can be installed, and mobile toilets, airconditioners, and vending machines can also be installed. In normal times, it
can be used as a recharging facility for electric bicycles, etc. In emergencies, it
can serve as an emergency power source and lifeline.
In 2019, the company provided them for the disaster relief of Chiba
Prefecture, which was damaged by a major typhoon, and from 2020, it will beavailable for sale to the public. Renewable energies face the problem of
unstable power generation depending on weather conditions, but the company
is working to increase their adoption by improving efficiency with its proprietary
technology that enables simultaneous control of solar and wind power.
Component makers are keenly interested in the agricultural sector
Many parts manufacturers are finding their way into primary industries suchas agriculture and fisheries. At first glance, these industries may seem far fromthe automotive industry, but they are attracting attention as areas where coretechnologies that have been difficult to apply to in-vehicle parts and safety, anda high quality control can be utilized.
TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.

has built a "plant factory" by meticulouslycontrolling sunlight, temperature, water, etc. in Fukui Prefecture last year toproduce lettuce. The company aims to start operations in 2025 and hopes tomake its agricultural business one of its profit sources by around 2030.
The company has been involved in transplanters of seedlings and elevators
for pallets of vegetables for plant factories. In particular, the need forcommercial vegetables continues to increase due to the growing demand for
take-out side dishes, while the shortage of workers is becoming more serious.
Therefore, the company aims to improve productivity and labor-saving by
utilizing automation technology.
The company will utilize its manufacturing capabilities cultivated in theautomotive parts business to produce vegetables with minimized quality
variation, thereby pioneering the future agricultural business field. First, thecompany plans to make the new plant profitable within three years, and toproduce approximately 2.2 tons per day, the largest scale in Fukui Prefecture.
KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, a partner company of Toyota Motor
Corporation, is developing "Mamold," a sheet that suppresses the growth ofmold, in anticipation of increased demand for transportation and export ofagricultural products. The company is involved in instrument panels and otherproducts, and has "vapor deposition polymerization" technology that produces athin film in a vacuum, which it had hoped to use in insulating sheets. However,
due to issues such as the spreading of the mesh-like structure when humidity ishigh, the company has not been able to adopt the technology for use inautomotive applications.
On the other hand, its characteristic of changing state according to humidity
was an advantage for agricultural materials. They succeeded in creating acharacteristic that allows gradual release of naturally occurring additives that
inhibit mold and discoloration. The developed product protects food productswith a four-layer structure that includes a mold growth inhibitor. When thecompany tested the product using Shine Muscat, it was able to keep theproduct refrigerated for four months. The company intends to continue
development of the new product and commercialize it after confirming its stableeffectiveness.
Some "sea-less" prefectures are moving toward land-based aquaculture
YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO.,LTD, a manufacturer of oil pumps, isengaged in land-based aquaculture in Gunma Prefecture, where there is noocean. The project was born out of an in-house venture program and is now
cultivating tiger puffer fish and flatfish in tanks.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., a major customer of the company, plans to use EVs
and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) for all new cars by 2040, which may lead to adecrease in demand for parts in the mid- to long-term. The company istherefore optimizing the water flow using the technology of analysis software forflow velocity and heat dissipation used in the development of oil pumps and has
been selling the product on a trial basis since 2022, aiming for business as early
as around 2026. In the future, the company intends to grow its business with aview to processing and selling fresh fish and expanding overseas.
As the automotive industry is undergoing changes, parts suppliers will continue
to search for growth markets and business areas where they can utilize their coretechnologies in order to survive. However, the hurdle to turning a businessprofitable is high, and investment resources must be secured to make thebusiness profitable. In parallel with new business areas, companies are working
to improve the profitability of existing businesses and enhance theircompetitiveness.