It is a great honor to be appointed as the President and Representative Director of TB Kawashima Co., Ltd. as successor of Mr. Teruo Suzuki. I am committed to make my utmost efforts on behalf of the Company as it continues to grow and to develop its business.
The automobile industry is in a very crucial and unprecedented transition period, reflecting changes caused by trends with CASE and MaaS. Along with the changes in people’s lifestyles due to coronavirus pandemic which seems to continue indefinitely, and the rapid rise of environmental awareness such as the SDGs, our company’s main focus, fabrics for transportation vehicles, is in a rapidly changing environment.
Since the start of operation in 2010, we have been able to provide many attractive fabrics to our customers all over the world through proud traditions standing over 170 years strong, from our founding parent organizations, Toyota Boshoku Corporation, Kawashima Selkon Textiles Co., Ltd., and Tatsumura Textile Co., Ltd. In addition, the power of teamwork in grasping customer needs accurately and realizing them as one force among the design, technology, sales and marketing members has contributed to the success. In recent years, we have diversified the lines of products. Examples are BRIN・NAUB®, which is the finest nubuck-type covering material, and SILCREVE®, to accommodate the expanding synthetic leather market, both of which are highly evaluated by the customers.
In terms of global response, we established a new factory equipped with integrated production system that spans the processes from fabric production to cutting and sewing in Jiangsu Province in China, in consideration of future growth potential, and has been in operation. In addition, in India, so that we can effectively adapt to the market expansion, we restructured our local manufacturing plant, to form a joint venture with AUNDE Achter & Ebels GmbH, a leading German fabric manufacturer in 2020. We further agreed to develop our business alliance with AUNDE on a global basis in 2021.
Looking ahead to the future changes, toward car sharing and future mobile spaces of autonomous vehicles, we are also working on the development of functional chemical featuring anti-stain, antibacterial, antivirus, and antistatic discharge effects as well as fabrics that display information by transmitting light. In terms of reducing carbon emissions, we will continue to contribute to the safety and comfort of everyone’s life in various ways, not only through the use of raw materials that reduce environmental impact, but also through innovative manufacturing that supports the recycling of raw materials.
All of us will continue to make strenuous efforts as one team through thorough communication to provide products that bring our customers delight and pleasure. Your continued kind support would be sincerely appreciated.
