Ogura subsidiary in China, Ogura Clutch Changxing (OCC) passed a series of qualification processes by CASC (certification body in China: China Jiuding Automotive Supplier Certification Co. Ltd.) and acquired ISO/TS 16949 certification.
　OCC had already acquired ISO9001 in 2014, and additional ISO/TS 16949 certification shall lead to enhancement of overall management level by applying continuous improvement for process effectiveness to management of delivery and cost.
　Also in order to meet the increasing Chinese domestic demand, a new plant being built next to the existing plant is scheduled to begin operation at the end of 2017.
　ISO/TS 16949 principles and management system will be applied to this new plant in order to timely deliver high quality products to customers. Ogura believes that it will strengthen its relationship with its customers.

Since Ogura began automotive air conditioning clutch production in 1963, the cumulative total quantity it produced has reached 100 million in 1995, 200 million in 2002 and 300 million in 2008, and this year, it has reached 400 million clutches.
　In the last 50 years, Ogura has expanded its production along with the trend of motorization through various economic events, such as Japan’s high growth period, oil shock, collapse of bubble economy, bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and so on. Without support from global customer base, Ogura could not have achieved this milestone, and with automotive air conditioning clutch as its flagship product, Ogura is committed to keep producing high quality products for the customers in various industries all over the world.

　At the end of last quarter, Ogura held its 2016 Quality Circle World Competition. In order to qualify, quality circles from all worldwide Ogura manufacturing locations must have come up with an improvement to an existing process that reduces cost, time or waste.This year, four teams from outside of Japan (Ogura Corporation (USA), Ogura Clutch Dongguan (China), Ogura Clutch Thailand, Ogura Clutch Changxing (China) qualified for the competition as well as two teams from Japan.
　All teams presented their ideas, implementation steps and final results to a board of manufacturing and senior executives from Ogura.Many Ogura employees from the manufacturing plants in Japan (approximately 350) were also present to view the competition and possibly gain ideas for their own departments.It was a great opportunity for quality control and manufacturing personnel to exchange ideas and share stories.

Ogura exhibited at the 28th Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF2016) held between November 17th (Thursday) and 22nd (Tuesday) at Tokyo Big Sight. This was Ogura’s first participation at this show, and Ogura showcased its high pressure coolant equipped with 20MPa screw pump, oil mist collector, electrical dust collector and air blower. In particular, high pressure coolant grabbed attention of the attendees. The show itself was a great success, and Ogura found the exposure at the show extremely worthwhile.

　On May 19th, the 18th Annual World Excellence Awards was held at the Ford headquarters.
　Award’s 11 pillars are: Quality Brand, Green Brand, Safe Brand, Smart Brand,Lincoln Luxury, Aligned Business Framework, Special Recognition, Diverse Supplier of the Year, Supplier Diversity Development Corporation of the Year, Gold and Silver.
　81 top global suppliers were honored by Ford. 12 suppliers received Gold award, 14 received Silver, and other 31 suppliers (total 57 suppliers) were awarded other awards.
　Ogura Corporation was recognized of its performance of quality, delivery and cost, was ranked one of top 15% suppliers and was awarded Silver Award.
　This is the second time Ogura Corporation received this honor since it received World Superior Supplier award in 2012.
　Ogura Corporation has been delivering coils for electromagnetic differential lock for Ford. Coil assembly is made in Ogura China, and Ogura Corporation performs finishing process, assembly, inspection before being delivered to Ford. Currently this is used in large and small pickup trucks.

　On March 18th, Panasonic Motor (ZhuHai) Co.,Ltd. held a business strategy and policy seminar. An award ceremony for 2016 superior supplier was held at the same time where Ogura Clutch subsidiary in China, Ogura Clutch Wuxi (OCW) received the superior quality award for stable high quality (no major quality issues for many years) and trust it has earned from Panasonic Motor by quickly responding to their concerns.
　The head of Ogura’s sales department, Mr. Inokoshi (right in the picture) received the award from president of Panasonic Motor, Mr. Kondo.
　The award was presented to the entire staff of OCW at its morning meeting,which heightened the moral and sense of responsibility among them to maintain the current status of as a trusted supplier.
　OCW, as a comprehensive clutch and brake manufacturer will continue improving QCDDM (Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, Management) and strive to exceed customers’ expectation.

　The 13th Guangzhou International Automotive Air-Conditioning & Cold Chain Technology Exhibition China 2016 was held between February 25th and 27th at Pazhou Complex of Chinese Import and Export Commodities Fair.Ogura Clutch (Dong Guan) CO., LTD. has been exhibiting at this show since 2007. Ogura’s continuous participation was recognized by the promoter, and Ogura was awarded Best Partner Award.
　In addition to introductions of various products on a rotary panel, video images of the rallying in which Ogura participated were displayed at the booth. Also Ogura racing products attracted attention of many attendees.
　By exhibiting primarily automotive air conditioning clutches and other products, such as GT clutch/brake, industrial clutches and brakes, office automation clutches, roots blowers (supercharger), racing clutches, elevator brakes, etc.,Ogura was able to put forward its image as a comprehensive manufacturer of clutches and brakes.

　On February 12th, the second supplier conference was held at Ogura Clutch Thailand Co., LTD.
　44 people from 30 suppliers participated in it.
　Ogura’s purchasing policy for 2016 was discussed, and two suppliers were awarded Best Supplier Award and Excellent Supplier Award.
　Currently in manufacturing industry, not only improvement of quality but also how to be cost competitive has been a big theme.
　OCT will continue its effort to streamline its operations and aim to achieve higher competitiveness together with its suppliers.

　In February Ogura’s subsidiary, Ogura Clutch India PVT.LTD (located at Gurgaon Manesar Industrial Park in Haryana State of Republic of India) began its operation to produce clutches for Japanese compressor makers.
　India has become the 5th country where Ogura produces electromagnetic clutches for automotive air-conditioning compressors.
　India has a rapidly growing automotive industry, and Ogura India will play a key role in Ogura’s global operations.

■Ogura Clutch India PVT.LTD. profile
　Location: Haryana State of Republic of India
　President: Yasunori Uemura
　Capital: 300 Million INR
　Employee：28 people
　Property Size: 1acre
　Floor Space: 13000sqft
　Operations: manufacturing and sales of automotive clutches, industrial clutches and brakes

On February 13th, a professional motorcycle racer, Mr. Iwasaki’s new team, “Ogura Clutch with Power Builder” had a press conference in Kiryu and made an announcement about the new team’s organization and that it will participate in 2016 All Japan Road Race Championship J-GP2 class.
　Ogura is making racing clutches for motorcycles and is supporting Mr.Iwasaki as the primary sponsor.
　Ogura is excited to participate in Japan’s most reputable motorcycle road race.
　Ogura is to use its expertise developed from having been in car racing business over the years, to advance its motorcycle racing clutch design and visibility in the market.