Operations Start at New Building in YKK AP’s Saitama Factory

YKK AP Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Akira Uozu) completed a new building at its Saitama Factory (Misato-machi, Saitama Prefecture) in May, and started operations on July 31. As a key factory in its Commercial Products Business, the new building will strengthen YKK AP’s competitive power in the Tokyo metropolitan area and East Japan. 

The Saitama Factory is YKK AP’s base for manufacturing aluminum architectural products for commercial buildings. By acquiring the adjoining property in 2021 to construct a new building, the company has restructured its manufacturing and supply system to create a key factory for the Commercial Products Business, with the aim of increasing its competitive power in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the rest of East Japan. 

Manufacturing costs at the new building will be reduced by 25% through monozukuri reforms including consolidated production by the in-house Equipment Manufacturing Division on streamlined equipment, more automated processes, and data-linked lines. Logistics will also be reformed through unit-loading (*1) and a modal shift (*2) to cut lead times from order to delivery by up to 11 days. 

Based on the concept of “a factory fulfilling to work in“, this building is designed in consideration of the global environment and the employees who work there. It produces 30% less CO₂ emissions thanks to a high thermal insulation building skin, windows with good thermal insulation and ventilation, variable lights, and highly efficient air conditioning. The factory utilizes rainwater, and net CO₂ emissions will be reduced to zero by procuring renewable energy and using solar power (generation capability of 1,100 kWh per hour). It will also contribute to the local community by creating jobs. 

Business partners and special guests representing the local area, including Saitama Prefecture and Misato Town, were invited to today’s opening ceremony. In addition to ribbon cutting, trees were planted to commemorate the completion and start of operations at the new building. 

*1: An efficient shipping system that consolidates loads into pallets, containers, and other units
*2: Switching from vehicle-based freight transport (using trucks, etc.) to trains and ships, which have smaller impacts on the environment

[New building concept] 

[Overview of the new building] 

[Reference] Overview of the YKK AP Saitama Factory