Research andDevelopment Activities
The Mabuchi Motor Group’s R&D activities are led by Mabuchi MotorCo., Ltd., the parent company, and MABUCHI MOTOR (DONGGUAN)
CO., LTD. in the Asia segment. Those activities are outlined below.
The organizational structure for the Company’s R&D activities wasrestructured as of the end of March 2019, with the strategic eliminationof the Development Headquarters, and the respective spinning off ofProduct Development Department 1, Product Development Department
2, and Product Development Department 3 to the Consumer andIndustrial Product Business Unit, Automotive Product Business Unit 1,and Automotive Product Business Unit 2. This is designed to increase
further the Group’s competitive superiority in an operating environmentthat has recently been experiencing drastic changes. By aligning thesedevelopment departments with their respective sales departments, weare bolstering the development of the business units’ activities with swift
decision making and timely responses to market changes, enhancing ourability to develop new models for specific applications, and introducing a
global approach to customer support and customer service activities.
The Manufacturing Headquarters consists of three departments—
Production Engineering Department 1, Production Engineering
Department 2, and the Mabuchi Production System Management
Department. Production Engineering Department 1 is responsible fordesigning mass production facilities, supporting manufacturing, anddesigning molds, while Production Engineering Department 2 is
responsible for research on process designs and methods, as well as
production technology.
The Technical Research Institute and the Engineering Management
Department report directly to the Chief Technology Officer. The
Technical Research Institute is responsible for new product development
and other high-value-added operations, focusing primarily on thedevelopment of elemental technologies and strategic applications, andthe Engineering Management Department manages blueprints formass-produced products and intellectual property rights.
By strengthening technological cooperation across the board, we are
restructuring to realign business units and integrating functional units
into business units, with the goal of promoting cooperation acrossdivisions to achieve greater operational efficiency and increase addedvalue.
At the same time, the R&D center at MABUCHI MOTOR(DONGGUAN) CO., LTD. is primarily responsible for processing various
types of testing requests, component and material evaluations, blueprint
preparation operations, and design improvement. The center also
supports operations for improving existing products for swift
introduction to the local Chinese market and developing new products
commissioned by the Company.
We have also identified the following items as matters for urgent
consideration and policy development, with the aim of introducing ourcompetitive manufacturing from the perspective of introducing ourmotors into new fields, strengthening our ability to respond to
appropriate applications, and local production for local consumption.

Mobile Applications (AGVs, robots, etc.)

In 2019, we began selling options for drive circuits, gears, and drive units
for brushless motors, and expanded our sales and sales promotion
activities for AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and personal mobility. In
2020, we are accelerating our product development in applications forservice robots, and will continue to expand our lineup in a broad range
of applications that assist with human operations.

Power Window Applications

In 2019, we completed preparations for the mass production of models
that will lead to higher sales in China by enabling Chinese automobile
manufacturers to develop smaller, lighter vehicles, and are also carryingout and offering additional sales promotion activities and engineering
services. We have also received orders from Chinese automakers forlineup models currently being developed to increase sales in China.

Power Seat Applications

Sales and market share are growing as the introduction of small,distinctive, high-torque motors for power seats has led to increased
adoption by major automobile manufacturers. Seeking to increase
market share further, we are reinforcing our products and carrying out
activities to increase sales. In 2019, we prepared to commence the mass
production of a derivative motor model for lumbar support. We are also
continuing to develop a new type of geared motor for recliners and havebegun developing applicable motors for various automobile seatfunctions.

Engine Peripheral Equipment Application

This application can contribute to energy savings by precisely controllingengines. At the same time, tolerance for higher temperatures andresistance to vibration are required for this application, compared withother applications. In addition to the RS-4F5 and RS-4G5, which are
already in mass production, we continue to work to increase sales byadding optional specifications for these models.

Other Small Electrical Equipment Applications

We are developing motors in response to inquiries for new applications
to achieve lower fuel consumption and increased convenience, and are
moving forward with preparations for mass production.

New Flagship Products
DS-34EC1 brushless motor drive circuit; MS-94BZ# gearedmotor
This series of drive circuits and geared motors is for autonomous
traveling robots and personal mobility, primarily in light electricvehicles and AGVs. We also offer a lineup of drive units equippedwith wheels, brackets, and electromagnetic brakes.

(1) D evelopment of brushless motors and gear units for mobile
applications and technological enhancement of drive circuits(2) In addition to conventional labor savings, study manufacturing lines
with additional labor savings and enhance manufacturing
competitiveness(3) Reduce development lead times and reduce and eliminate
development man-hours

Research and development expenses in fiscal 2019 totaled 4,958 million
yen. As of the fiscal year-end, the Company owned a total of 812
industrial property rights (171 in Japan and 641 overseas), and we madea total of 31 new applications (Japan and overseas; patents, utility
models, designs, and trademarks) during the year.
To increase product sales and new applications, we are working tomaintain our superior competitive position by comprehensively andproactively acquiring and protecting intellectual property rights. In
addition to the protection of intellectual property rights, we are
implementing a range of measures including training to raise awarenessin all Group employees of the risks of divulging or infringing on
intellectual property rights.

Next, the following presents the application status of our products.
For applications in the core automotive products business and applicationsto be emphasized going forward, the engineering departments and sales
departments will work together within the business division organization.

R&D Expenses/R&D Expenses Ratio(Millions of yen)

R&D Personnel

Number of Intellectual Properties(Employees)(Intellectual properties)
876

3.6
5,164

2015

3.6
5,024

2016

3.6
5,233

2017

3.5

437
4,939

2018

R&D expenses ratio (%)

9

MABUCHI MOTOR CO., LTD.

3.8
436

432

459

479

4,958

2019

682

2016

2017

2018

2019

783

157

168

562

591

615

2015

2016

2017

1202015

748

Overseas

191

812
171

685

641

2018

2019

Domestic