F-Tech
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 7212
- Industry
- Transportation Equipment
- Category Detail
- Auto Parts
- Prefecture
- Saitama Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- July 1947
- Listing Year
- September 1996
- Official Website
- https://www.ftech.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- J-MAX, H-One, GMB, Tein, Yorozu
Overview
F-Tech is a Honda-affiliated automotive parts manufacturer founded in 1947, specializing mainly in suspension parts with a broad manufacturing and sales network both domestically and internationally, making it a leading player in the industry.
Current Situation
F-Tech recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 183.6 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 3.1 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2021, continuing steady business development centered primarily on suspension parts for passenger vehicles. Its major domestic customers include Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation, among other major automakers, providing a broad customer base. Overseas, it is strengthening its production system mainly in North America and Asia to promote global business expansion. In terms of innovation, it continues to refine high-precision manufacturing technology for automotive suspension parts and has solidified its quality management system through ISO certifications. Recently, it has been focusing on changes in the business environment in China while addressing rising labor costs and strike issues in the United States. For sustainability initiatives, it has obtained ISO 50001 energy management system certification and is working to reduce environmental impact. Its growth strategy for the future focuses on developing parts compatible with vehicle electrification and expanding overseas markets to enhance competitiveness. In 2023, it transitioned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market to strengthen its financial foundation.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Originally started business manufacturing metal toys.
- Began transactions with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in 1959 and maintains a deep relationship.
- Early acquisition of ISO/TS16949 certification to strengthen quality system.
- Deploys numerous manufacturing subsidiaries domestically and internationally with rich global structure.
- Active in local production and technology development in North America and Asia.
- Established F-Tech Scholarship Foundation to contribute to regional support.
- Has multiple major Japanese automakers as primary customers.
- Holds top-class domestic position particularly in suspension parts.
Hidden Connections
- Core supplier in the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. group with strong internal collaboration.
- Deploys global strategy fusing local production and technical support for multinational corporations.
- F-Tech Scholarship Foundation contributes to local industry talent development.
- ISO 50001 acquisition symbolizes emphasis on energy management and production efficiency improvement.
- Subsidiary network contributes to competitiveness in Southeast Asia and North America.
- Management features many engineering backgrounds with close proximity to manufacturing sites.
- Major domestic production bases dispersed across Saitama, Mie, Tochigi, and other regions.
- Tokyo Stock Exchange market category change aims to strengthen financial base and expand investor base.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Adapting to changes in parts demand from vehicle electrification and electric assist
- Strengthening manufacturing bases particularly in Asia and North America overseas
- Advancing technology development for high-value-added suspension parts
- Expanding demand for energy-saving and low-environmental-impact products
- New transaction expansion through diversification of global customers
- Cost competitiveness through introduction of advanced manufacturing automation systems
- Improved market fluctuation resilience through supply chain strengthening
- Ongoing investment in safety and quality improvement of onboard parts
- Enhanced investor evaluation through ESG management strengthening
- Differentiation through advancement of mold and design technologies
Strategic Goals
- Achieve overseas sales ratio of over 60%
- Market expansion through enriched lineup of low-environmental-impact products
- Smart factory promotion using IoT and AI at production bases
- Expansion of factories with ISO 14001 and other environmental certifications
- Strengthened R&D investment in electric vehicle parts field
- Talent development and technology succession for sustainable growth
- Strengthened collaboration of R&D centers in Europe and North America
- Formulation of roadmap for carbon neutrality realization
- Establishment of global risk management system
- Development of product lineup responding to diverse customer needs
Business Segments
Automotive Suspension Parts Manufacturing
- Overview
- Manufactures high-precision suspension parts for major automakers and supplies them stably.
- Competitiveness
- High-quality processing technology and stable global production system
- Customers
-
- Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Nissan Motor Corporation
- Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
- General Motors
- Isuzu Motors Ltd.
- Products
-
- Front Lower Arm
- Rear Trailing Arm
- Rear Suspension Module
- Front Suspension Member
- Front Subframe
Vehicle Control Parts Supply
- Overview
- Handles development and manufacturing of pedal-related parts with excellent operability.
- Competitiveness
- High-precision parts manufacturing and strong vehicle model adaptability
- Customers
-
- Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Nissan Motor Corporation
- Suzuki Motor Corporation
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Products
-
- Brake Pedal
- Accelerator Pedal
- Foot Parking Brake
Body Support Parts Manufacturing
- Overview
- Designs and manufactures support parts aimed at improving vehicle body rigidity.
- Competitiveness
- Advanced assembly technology and material selection
- Customers
-
- Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Products
-
- Front Subframe
- Rubber Mount for Subframe
Overseas Production Base Support
- Overview
- Handles production support and technology introduction at bases in North America, Asia, etc.
- Competitiveness
- International production and quality management expertise
- Customers
-
- Global automakers
- Overseas local assembly plants
- Products
-
- Automotive suspension parts
- Vehicle assembly jigs
Design Technology Services
- Overview
- Provides precision parts design and development support technology services.
- Competitiveness
- Advanced design technology and short delivery capability
- Customers
-
- Automakers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Products
-
- CAD design
- CAE analysis
- Prototype prototyping
Environmental and Energy-Saving Solutions
- Overview
- Support business promoting energy savings and reduction of environmental impact at production sites.
- Competitiveness
- ISO certification technology and track record
- Customers
-
- Automotive production plants
- Related manufacturing industries
- Products
-
- ISO 50001 support
- Energy management systems
Mold and Manufacturing Equipment Production
- Overview
- Business supporting production efficiency improvement through high-precision mold design and manufacturing.
- Competitiveness
- Long-accumulated technology and high-precision processing
- Customers
-
- In-house production divisions
- External automotive parts manufacturers
- Products
-
- Press molds
- Assembly jigs
- Machinery and tools
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Strong transaction relationship with Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- High-precision suspension parts manufacturing technology
- Expansion of overseas production system
- Quality and environmental management through ISO and energy-saving certifications
- Stable sales from diverse customer base
- Comprehensive design technology services
- In-house possession of robust molds and manufacturing equipment
- Global manufacturing and technology network
- Diverse product lineup and technological responsiveness
- Stable financial foundation
Competitive Advantages
- Exclusive supply relationships with major automakers centered on Honda group
- Technological leadership through specialization in suspension parts for passenger vehicles
- Enhanced cost competitiveness through local production in North America and Asia
- Improved quality reliability through environmentally responsive products and ISO certifications
- Rapid response via integrated system from manufacturing to design and mold production
- Operational efficiency through utilization of diverse subsidiaries inside and outside the group
- Accumulated know-how and technological development capabilities specialized in automotive industry
- Flexible responsiveness to customer needs through major domestic and international bases
- Enhanced credibility as a Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market-listed company
- Aggressive expansion into overseas markets and building cooperative relationships
Threats
- Changes in parts demand structure due to electrification of automotive industry
- Risks from rising labor costs and labor disputes in the US
- Intensifying competition and expansion of local players in China market
- Ongoing global semiconductor shortages and parts procurement difficulties
- Profit pressure from exchange rate fluctuations
- Increased compliance costs from strengthened global environmental regulations
- Competition from new entrants and overseas low-cost manufacturers
- Uncertain external factors such as novel coronavirus
- Increased burden of production equipment investment due to technological innovation
- Instability in raw material prices
Innovations
2023: Signed new parts supply contract with Toyota Motor Corporation
- Overview
- In 2021, newly signed an automotive parts supply contract with Toyota Motor Corporation and commenced transactions.
- Impact
- Strengthened sales base through customer diversification.
2023: Strengthened European R&D base establishment
- Overview
- Established F.Tech R&D North America Inc. European Branch in Dusseldorf, Germany, to advance technology development.
- Impact
- Improved technological responsiveness to the European market.
2020: Obtained ISO 50001 certification (Kameyama Plant)
- Overview
- Obtained ISO 50001 certification for energy management at Kameyama Plant.
- Impact
- Contributed to production cost reduction through improved energy efficiency.
2021: Strengthened North America regional oversight, appointed Senior Managing Officer
- Overview
- Installed Global SED Senior Managing Officer to strengthen North America region strategy.
- Impact
- Enhanced competitiveness in the US market.
2022: Introduced automation technology at manufacturing sites
- Overview
- Introduced latest robot technology to improve production efficiency of suspension parts.
- Impact
- Achieved shortened manufacturing time and stable quality.
Sustainability
- Promotion of energy savings through ISO 50001 acquisition
- Efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in production processes
- Continuous improvement of waste recycling rate
- Expansion of environmentally compatible materials adoption
- Collaboration with local communities on environmental conservation activities
- Strengthened environmental management in supply chain
- Safety and health management through improved working environment
- Compliance aligned with global standards
- Promotion of sustainable product development
- Employee environmental awareness initiatives