Activities of Quality Management

Quality Assurance Systems

Acquisition of certifications for quality management systems

The Sumitomo Riko Group's quality assurance system is based on IATF16949, the international standard for automotive products, and the General Industrial Products Division also strives for continuous improvement of product and market quality through the reliable implementation of ISO9001.We are also actively working to establish quality assurance systems at our overseas bases, and are aiming to obtain IATF or ISO certification for all bases.Currently, 10 sites in Japan and 49 sites overseas, for a total of 59 sites, have obtained certification.

Quality assurance systems based on SRK-GQS

In the context of the Sumitomo Riko Group's ongoing globalization, due to the need to establish uniform rules that will be observed by all Group companies, the Sumitomo Riko Global Quality Standards (SRK-GQS) were established. Based on ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 and incorporating Sumitomo Riko Group best practices, the SRK-GQS prescribe matters whose observance throughout the Group is mandatory.
SRK-GQS consists of three levels: Level 1, which indicates the guidelines that form the axis of quality assurance activities; Level 2, which describes the business standards that clarify the management of milestones from product planning by each business unit to mass production; and Level 3, which prescribes the actual individual tasks.
In fiscal 2020, we have revised and issued milestone standards (Level 2) and practical work procedures (Level 3) for the Anti-Vibration Business Divisions and the Seal Business Division, and began implementing them. In fiscal 2021, we will review the standards of the Automotive Hose Business Divisions and the Industrial Products Business Divisions.

Audit of suppliers' quality systems

In order to reinforce the quality assurance system of the Sumitomo Riko Group, we have been executing suppliers' quality system audits since fiscal 2011. For this audit, each manufacturing site is audited based on the global common check sheet covering all items indispensable for establishing a quality assurance system, including top management.
In fiscal 2020, we conducted renewal audits of suppliers and audits of new suppliers for a total of 36 companies. In fiscal 2021, we plan to conduct audits of 25 new suppliers and we will further strengthen and improve our quality assurance system.

Quality Governance

Quality control audit

The Sumitomo Riko Group introduced quality audits from the viewpoint of internal control to monitor whether there is any wrongdoing in fiscal 2016. We have been executing this "quality control audit" globally.
From fiscal 2020 onward, in addition to the content of the quality control audits conducted so far, we are also conducting additional contract performance audits to ensure that the content of contracts with customers is being properly executed, in an effort to raise the level of quality control audits. Under the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in the process of implementing these audits for all business units in Japan.

Creation of a Quality Culture

The Day of Q

With the aim of fostering a corporate culture that puts quality first, in fiscal 2019 we designated the 9th, 19th, and 29th of each month as “the Day of Q” throughout the Company, a day on which quality-related work is prioritized.
In fiscal 2020, we are aiming to improve product quality, operational quality, and communication, and are expanding our activities to 11 domestic group companies as well as Sumitomo Riko non-consolidated. In each division, the activities have been useful in revitalizing communication between supervisors and subordinates, and the results of the activities have been preserved and made our asset as "Work Standards and Procedures". We will continue these activities in fiscal 2021, and if there are any deficiencies in applying the created work standards and procedures, we will continue to promote improvement working activities (running the SDCA cycle).

Re-do Zero Activity

In our company, we are promoting the "Re-do Zero Activity" as an activity in which each and every staff member practices daily work based on the concept of "Ji-Kotei-Kanketsu (Own Process Completion). This activity started with the corporate division in 2016, and was expanded to the business divisions in 2017, and is now firmly established as a company-wide activity.
This activity is based on the concept of “Stopping, Reducing, or Replacing” troublesome or bewildering tasks at each workplace in daily work, which has been improving the quality of work, contributing to the improvement of staff productivity, and creating job satisfaction and vitality for workplace members.
In fiscal 2020, 15 departments' case studies were disclosed to the entire company as examples of activities that can be used as reference, and the president gave commendations to good cases. We are also working to develop certified instructors who can correctly instruct the concept of "Ji-Kotei-Kanketsu (JKK, Own Process Completion), and have trained 23 people as certified instructors to date. In fiscal year 2021, we will continue to promote the "Re-do Zero" activities, making effective use of the Day of Q, including overseas and group companies.

Recognition Received from Customers

The Sumitomo Riko Group engages in improvement activities focusing on quality, cost, and delivery at business sites in Japan and around the world. In fiscal 2020, 12 bases (4 in Japan and 8 overseas) received 27 awards (7 in Japan and 20 overseas).

FY2020 Supplier Awards

Japan

Customer	Award	Awardee	Region
Toyota Motor Corporation	New MIRAI Project Award	Sumitomo Riko Company Limited	Japan
Hino Motors, Ltd.	Quality Control Cooperation Award	Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
Toyota Boshoku Kyushu Corporation	Safety Division Excellence Award	Tokai Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Toyota Boshoku Corporation	Technology Development Award	Tokai Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Oita Canon Materials Inc.	Best Quality Award	SumiRiko Oita Advanced Elastomer Company Limited
Canon Precision Inc.	Quality Excellence Award	Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
Caterpillar Japan LLC	Supplier Quality Excellence Process Platinum Award	Sumitomo Riko Hosetex, Ltd.

Overseas

Customer	Award	Awardee	Region
TIANJIN INTEX AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.	Cost Improvement Award	TCT	China
GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.	Quality Cooperation Award	TRJ
GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.	Quality Cooperation Award	TRG
GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.	Own Process Completion Quality Improvement Breakthrough Award (+ Sparkling Quality People)	TRG
GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co.,LTD.	5-Star Quality Award (4-year performance) Ceremony	TRG
GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co.,LTD.(Engine Plant)	Quality Excellence Award	TRG
Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company	2020 Nissan Quality Award (RQA) 2020 Nissan China Quality Award	TRG
Tianjin FAW TOYOTA Motor Co.,Ltd.	Supply Response Contribution Award	TRT
Isuzu Motors Co., (Thailand) Ltd.	Supplier Evaluation Certificate	SRK-ER	Thailand
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia	Delivery Target Achievement 2020	TRHI	Indonesia
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia	Zero Defect Quality Achievment	TRHI
Astra Daihatsu Motor	Superior Quality & Delivery Award 2020	TRHI
Suzuki Indomobil Motor	Cost Performance Contribution　2W&4W	TRHI
Honda Prospect Motor	Best QCC FY20	TRHI
PT. Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia	Appreciation of quality achievement	TRID
PT. Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia	Appreciation of delivery achievement	TRID
Hitachi Construction Machinery (China) Co., Ltd.	Best Supplier Award	TRFH	China
Toyota Industry (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.	Overall Excellence Award	TRFH
Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.	Best Partner Award	TRFH
Caterpillar (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.	SQEP　GOLD　MEDAL	TRFH