CSR activities in FY2019
Relationships with Local Communities
and International Communities
Basic approach to contributing to local communities
One of the credos of NTN SPIRIT "Collaboration" states that "We take care of the natural environment and maintain coexistence with the local community." In addition to contributing to society through our business activities, we also work to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through various activities tied closely to local communities around the world.
People and Regions connected by "NTN Rotating School"
To promote a harmonious coexistence with local communities, the Company organized NTN Rotating School in 2017 as a way to facilitate community interactions for our employees and education for the next-generation. This is a mobile school based on the concept of having children that will help the next generation learn about the environment and energy saving while having fun.
This year marks the fourth year of the school, and the number of programs is increasing year after year, deepening ties with a variety of people in each region.
■Number of NTN Rotating School held
Ehon(Picture Book) picnic
NTN Rotating School was held at a local exchange event in Ustubo park near the head office. Many local visitors said, "I didn’t know the business line of NTN although I have seen NTN signboards for a long time," but we were able to interact with local residents through various hands-on workshops using bearings, and participants could feel a warmer affinity toward NTN as a local company.
■Many families visited the NTN booth throughout the day
"LITALICO Junior" Tennoji Class＊
With a twinkle in their eyes, all the children listened hard to the explanation of their "new teacher" while touching the bearings and musical instruments that they had never seen before. Even after the class, they kept playing without wanting to leave the classroom. We had each child spend a good deal of time working on a project according to his/her personality and they were able to feel the joy of being able to do something themselves.
Child development support and after-school day services for children from young ages up through high school students
A Message from LITALICO Junior teacher
We received many comments from parents such as, "It's the first time I've seen our children enjoying themselves so much" and "I wonder if they can get a job in the machinery field in the future." It was the first time not only for children but also for instructors that a teacher not belonging to LITALICO delivered a class. Therefore, we felt anxious about how the class would be received that day. Thank you very much for letting us have such a wonderful experience.
Participant's Feedback
- I learned that bearings are used in various places and are all around us. I also learned a lot of things that I can't learn at school. (Elementary school student)
- Knowing that the earth is in danger now, I want to learn what I can do and try to do it. (Elementary school student)
- It was difficult to assemble the bearings, but I was able to fully understand the mechanism. I was surprised at the high precision of a ball. (Adult)
From a "Rotating Wallposter" in which participants report what they have experienced as a reporter
NTN Rotating School is held in an increasing number of different places and requires flexible responses tailored to local communities and participants. This is also a good opportunity for employees themselves to reflect upon their own company and communities. It is very rewarding seeing participants make new discoveries, learn something new, and return with a smile saying, "I'm glad I came!" We will continue to spread NTN Rotating School, which links people to local communities, worldwide.
Initiatives in Each Region
Japan
NTN Noto Corporation and NTN Houdatsushimizu Corporation invited 11 Mexican trainees via the Japan International Corporate Agency and held training sessions to tour the manufacturing sites. This seminar aims to contribute to the promotion of quality control and productivity of companies and industries in their home country by allowing trainees to acquire the knowledge and techniques of Japanese Monozukuri (manufacturing). We are aiming to revitalize our global partnership in Monozukuri by letting the skills of experienced workers working at the site be utilized by Mexican trainees in their own country.
■Manufacturing site tour with a lively question-and-answer session
Americas
NTN BEARING CORP. OF CANADA LTD. supports Eva’s Place＊ as a volunteer sponsor by helping constructing simple accommodation facilities for youth and assisting the organization in holding fundraising events. The funds raised were used to help provide training, counseling and other programs to help disassociated adolescents re-establish and maintain contact with their families and communities. These activities allow employees to feel proud and happy, and boost their motivation.
Eva’s Place is a self-reliance support organization for young people that provides shelter and transitional housing for young homeless people and various support programs to enable them to return to society.
■Employee supporting the setup of an event
Europe
The Sibiu Plant of NTN-SNR Rulmenti S.R.L. has established the Environment, Health and Safety Week as one of the measures to raise the awareness of CSR among employees. Some of these activities involve a measure to raise employees' awareness of their health. For example, each employee team moves around by bicycle along the Cibin River, which runs through the city, to clean up areas around the river. As such, employees take the initiative in resolving local community issues. The interaction between employees, which goes beyond the boundaries of normal business operations and business divisions, helps to raise CSR awareness and reinforce teamwork.
■Employees engaged in cleaning activities
Asia
NTPT CO., LTD. (Thailand) worked with local elementary schools to hydroponically cultivate vegetables for school lunch in order to promote the health of children who will play a leading role in the future. Through repeated trial and error to enable children to continuously obtain vegetables, we created an environment in which children can nurture and eat vegetables on their own. Through these activities, we were able to give children a chance to experience the joy of Monozukuri and increase their interest in food safety and the natural environment. The employees who saw the smiles of the children who happily ate the vegetables they grew also felt a sense of fulfillment and joy, and also realized anew the importance of contributing to the local community.
■Employees and local children engaged in hydroponic cultivation
Sales event held by people with disabilities
In collaboration with Pasona Heartful Inc., we held a sales event for Halloween in October 2019 and for Christmas in December 2019 for the purpose of expanding the employment of people with disabilities and their participation in society. These events were held during lunch breaks. At Pasona Heartful Inc., employees with disabilities are active in a variety of fields, and they sold products and confectioneries they made by themselves. Confectioneries made without any additives were particularly popular. Sales representatives were very happy about how the day went, saying "We usually have a lot of sales within the group only, so it was a new experience to interact with NTN, and we were able to have a good opportunity to learn customer service." We will continue to create such opportunities to promote diversity.
■Selling all handmade Halloween gifts, including baked confectionery and candles
