Together with our Business Partners
In Order to Establish Credibility with Business Partners (Fair and Equal Transactions)
Fair and Equal Selection of Business Partners
We select our business partners based on the notion of "open trade, fair and equal free competition". We are proactively recruiting new business partners in accordance with the law. Furthermore we are fully utilizing such methods as obtaining quotations from multiple companies and determining suppliers through digital auctions.
Purchasing Code of Conduct Formulated and in Practice
In 2011, we prepared a new set of ethics on purchasing that defines matters that must be considered by purchasing representatives in the selection of fair and equal trade in our Fundamental Procurement Policy as well as shows ethical problems that must be avoided. Together with our fundamental policy, this set of ethics was formulated into the Purchasing Code of Conduct.
During FY2013, materials procurement meetings attended by representatives from all domestic business locations were held every two months, while case studies regarding the Purchasing Code of Conduct were studied at global procurement meetings attended by overseas procurement staff held twice a year.
Workshops on the Subcontractors Act and cases of compliance violations were held for raw materials procurement staff.
Compliance and Guidance towards Overseas Plants
We are trying to further enhance the above-mentioned by reviewing the purchasing guidelines on a regular basis to meet the requirements of TS16949 (quality standards mainly for automobile industry), proper procurement operation and law-abiding, and to prevent any fraudulent activities. Also, we issue Basic Requirements of Material Procurement by incorporating the preceding items for our overseas plants in order to guide overseas purchasing representatives with their proper work operations.
Compliance with Subcontracting Law and Supervision of Procurement Operation
We conduct internal training for personnel in charge of materials procurement and subcontracted procurement as to the Subcontracting Law when they enter or are posted in the company, followed by having them attend external seminars for the Subcontracting Law on a regular basis in order to brush-up this knowledge and provide updated information. Our Global Procurement Division pays a visit to all the Materials Procurement and Subcontracted Procurement Divisions in our offices regularly, to ensure there is no case of breach against any items under Subcontracting Law through confirmation and guidance through internal operational audits, in order to maintain our law-abiding stance.
Joint Research with our Business Partners
Currently, we are proactively working together with ZEON Corporation, a synthetic rubber manufacturer and with Tokyo Rope Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of steel code to develop environmentally friendly products, especially synthetic rubber which is optimum material for fuel efficient tire or lightweight tire, and steel code.
Also, we are conducting joint research together with Songkran University in Thailand, one of the major production sites, to utilize resources at the production site of natural rubber and to contribute to the improvement of work conditions of rubber farmers there.