AISIN - News Releases - Business Strategies

Completion of the HR Development Center
(Mar. 14, 2007)

Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (President: Yasuhito Yamauchi; Headquarters: Kariya, Aichi) is pleased to announce the completion of construction of its new HR Development Center on March 13, 2007. The new center has been built in Kamishigehara-cho, Chiryu, a city located next to Kariya where the head office is based.

The purpose of the HR Development Center is to systematically and efficiently promote the development of personnel within the AISIN Group, including fundamental principles and rules of manufacturing along with basic skills. At the same time, the aim is also to strengthen management capabilities and nurture personnel who can take active roles globally.

To this end, the Aisin Technical Academy* will become the main body for training personnel to become leaders of mono-zukuri (manufacturing expertise in value-added products) at production sites. The academy will also consolidate and bolster training programs common to respective companies within the AISIN Group. The curriculum will include courses to be offered according to rank—from new employees to management-level personnel—and will also extend to standardized management training in skills, administrative and technical related functions.

In addition, the framework for accepting trainees from overseas subsidiaries and domestic Group companies will be augmented, thereby further strengthening the nurturing of personnel who will in turn support overseas business expansion.

The HR Development Center comprises a four-story training building and a 10-story dormitory building and consolidates training facilities, including dormitories and practical training sites, which were previously dispersed in areas around the head office. Related training facilities such as those for measuring and mold maintenance, which were previously situated at designated plants, will be shifted to the new center as well.

With regard to augmenting the framework for accepting a growing number of trainees from overseas, in consideration of daily living, the center features general improvements such a common space to promote mutual interaction among trainees and a menu suited to overseas personnel and the countries from where they are from.

Utilizing its advanced, wide spectrum of technologies and top-level skills, AISIN will continue to focus on nurturing personnel who can take active roles in the global arena with the aim of becoming one of the world’s leading brands.

*<Reference>
Aisin Technical Academy
Established in April 1977, the Aisin Technical Academy is an in-house boarding school targeting graduates of technical high schools. Recognized by Aichi Prefecture as an industrial training school, the academy offers one-year courses for acquiring practical skills and knowledge. Organizationally, it is treated as a department of the Aisin Seiki HR Development Center.

Approximately 120 students (including employees of domestic and overseas Group companies) are accepted annually. Upon graduation, students can proceed to three separate courses: manufacturing (for production site leadership candidates); maintenance (for maintenance staff of facilities, molds, etc.); and World Skills Competition (additional two-year experience required to improve skills aimed at participation in the World Skills Competition).

Outline of HR Development Center
1.	Facility name:	Aisin Seiki HR Development Center
2.	Location:	127-1, Kumori, Kamishigehara-cho, Chiryu, Aichi
3.	Floor space:	Approx. 12,000 square meters
4.	Site area:	Approx. 6,000 square meters
5.	Building:	Training building: 4 stories above ground level; Dormitory building: 10 stories above ground level
6.	Start of operation:	April 2007
7.	Investment:	Approx. 2.6 billion yen, including construction and moving expenses (Main facilities include 24 lathes, 23 milling machines, six robots)
8.	Boarding capacity of the dormitory building	Approx. 200 persons (137 rooms)
9.	Estimated number of persons using the facility (estimated for the first year)	Aisin Technical Academy students: 120
		World Skills Competition students: 11
		Long-term overseas trainees: Approx. 40
		Short-term (stays less than three months) overseas trainees: Approx. 250
		Training by rank: 10,000 persons in total

Exterior of the HR Development Center (The 4-story training building is on the left while the 10-story dormitory building is on the right.)

Practical training facilities inside the HR Development Center