Creating Value in Business Activities

R&D

To strengthen our core technologies and core products, and to create new businesses and products in emerging fields, we conduct surveys and analyses of industrial structures and market trends on a global scale, and formulate product strategies based on these insights. This has given us a competitive edge in the advanced development of products that anticipate customer needs or introduce innovations not previously available in the market, resulting in 333 published unexamined patent applications and 17 newspaper articles on research and technological development in FY2024. To contribute to a carbon-free society, we pursue reduction in energy loss, and at the same time accelerate product development through the establishment of the Innovation & Business Development HQ as a one-stop unit in charge of identifying needs and product planning, development, and mass production. We also collaborate with NTN Next Generation Research Alliance Laboratory and external research institutes to discover and utilize advanced technology and to develop human resources. The hydrogen-related field is a key next-generation energy sector where we can showcase our core technological strengths in advancing the use of hydrogen as a viable energy source. In addition to securing intellectual property rights that help maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of our core products, we will strive to create intellectual property that can secure first-mover advantage by utilizing IP landscape analysis in new fields.

Procurement

Our procurement strategy is based on sustainability, quality, cost reduction, and throughput maximization, and we are expanding procurement in optimal locations on a global scale by leveraging our value chain. We have established an efficient procurement process by optimally integrating the results of multi-factor analyses of each region’s industrial structure, logistics, exchange rates, and commodity prices. In addition to building strong and stable relationships with key suppliers, we are also actively engaging with new suppliers both in Japan and overseas, striving to secure a diverse range of resources. Through these measures, we aim to deepen mutual understanding with our suppliers on a global scale and build a trust-based value chain founded on coexistence and co-prosperity.

Monozukuri (Manufacturing)

NTN’s approach to “Monozukuri” focuses on improving safety (S), quality (Q), compliance (C), cost (C), deadline (D), and environmental performance (E). We also pursue stable production, higher productivity, shorter lead times, and reduced inventory, all aimed at enhancing our corporate value. Through production reforms and streamlining activities, we work to reduce inventory, shorten lead times, and improve throughput, thereby enhancing capital efficiency to generate profits. In consideration of the global environment, we have transitioned to production facilities and processes that promote energy conservation and reduce CO₂ emissions, contributing to the resolution of broader societal issues.
The strength of NTN Group’s “Monozukuri” lies in our commitment to quality. Guided by our quality policy—to pursue quality that meets the functions and specifications required by our customers—we have established a responsive system to quickly address customer demands, along with a global quality assurance framework that swiftly adapts to changes in the external environment. We have also obtained an ISO9001 certification for quality management systems across all manufacturing operations, including those at our domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries. We promote the development of human resources with a strong understanding of quality to ensure that customers continue to place their trust in us and choose the NTN Group for our high quality.

Sales

The NTN Group is actively working to expand the aftermarket business while enhancing the competitiveness of OEM business.
In the Bearing business, we are enhancing aftermarket sales by expanding the inventory of high-demand products as we leverage Japan’s largest distributor network along with our global network. In addition to bearing sales, we will integrate OEM and aftermarket operations to manage the bearing life cycle by providing services such as post-delivery bearing diagnosis, replacement, refurbishment, and maintenance, thereby expanding replacement demand and growing our maintenance business.
In the CVJ and Axle bearing business, we leverage the technical expertise developed over many years of handling global projects, along with strong problem-solving capabilities supported by a robust production and procurement network. By solving customers’ problems, we aim to deepen our partnerships. Also, in order to meet their diverse needs effectively, we will provide high value-added products that deliver world-class lightness, compactness, and low friction.
By pursuing higher functionality in our products—through efforts such as offering high value-added solutions that respond to the rapid shift to EVs in the automotive market—and by contributing to the realization of a sustainable society, exemplified by carbon neutrality, we will strive to further elevate the NTN brand and enhance customer satisfaction.