In FY2011, AISIN started the "Product Design Practicum" to educate new engineers about the elements and structure of machines using as an example the Group's sewing machine–the point of origin for AISIN–which illustrates the basics of "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)." Trainees go through the planning of their ideas to creation and evaluation of their work to learn first-hand the basics of "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)."

In the practicum, trainees first experience sewing using the first-generation treadle sewing machine of Aisin Seiki and learn its mechanisms. Next, they use a mock-up machine that is three times the ordinary size, with a transparent plastic cover, to learn how a sewing machine functions. Then, three person in a team, they disassemble the latest model machine down to the last piece and re-assemble everything, so as to understand the elements and structure of the machines. After that, they draw diagrams of the parts by hand instead of using CAD, and have prototypes made at Trial Manufacturing Plant. Two months later, the teams come together again when their prototype components are ready, and assemble the parts which they designed themselves, check the functions of their work and evaluate the results. When there are defects, the team comes up with measures to prevent recurrence. By experiencing a series of such practical steps, the employees learn the basics of "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)."

Another characteristic of the practicum is that newly promoted section managers are appointed as assistants to the lecturers. By sharing stories during the training session about the situation at the production sites and past failures, they help new employees adopt positive attitudes towards their jobs.

Overseas expansion is one major change concerning "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)" for Japanese companies, including AISIN.

We established our first overseas production base in Mexico in 1973, and the number of overseas production bases increased every year since then. Now the number has reached 60.

AISIN focuses on nurturing local manpower into leaders in "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)" in these overseas production bases. In FY2002, the in-house training school Aisin Technical Academy started to receive employees from overseas production bases to teach them practical skills over the course of one year. When tackling problems in groups, the curriculum provides for mixed grouping of trainees from Japan and other countries to enable teamwork across nationalities and cultures. In FY2011, 20 trainees from China, Brazil, Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia and Taiwan were included.

Among the overseas trainees who have completed their training and returned to their countries, some have become section heads or managers in manufacturing divisions, spearheading "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)" in their countries. AISIN will continue with this training to impart our "mono-zukuri (manufacturing)" concepts to people around the world.