News

  Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6770; President & CEO: Toshihiro Kuriyama) has completed a new research and development building at its Sendai R&D Center (Furukawa)1 in Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture. A completion ceremony was held on April 12.

  The concept of the new R&D building is to create an “innovation core” in the rural setting of Furukawa for combining and inspiring global knowledge. Through its design and state-of-the-art facilities, the building is set to generate new value by stimulating interaction among engineers of varying disciplines from R&D bases worldwide and with personnel both inside and outside the company. Besides enhancing the work environment for engineers and providing for diversity and inclusion (D&I), the center has also acquired Nearly ZEB (net zero energy building) status2 for realizing 77% energy savings through the use of renewable energy. By contributing to decarbonization, Alps Alpine looks to grow sustainably in a way that benefits both society and the planet.

About the New Facility

Office areas employ state-of-the-art technology, including motion detectors and AirInput™ mid-air input solutions

■ New work styles enabled for greater connection across national borders and business domains

  In keeping with work style reforms and the spread of teleworking, the facility does away with the traditional pattern of employees coming in to perform their duties at a designated desk, instead adopting activity-based working (ABW) that allows employees to make their own decisions about when and where they work. Labs are integrated to create large rooms, products of each business are put on display, and signage conveys news about the latest products. A sufficient number of small communication booths are available for anytime connection to contacts in Japan or overseas. All this is to promote greater interaction of minds among engineers and access to multifaceted information across national and business boundaries, leading to fresh innovation.

■ Diversity is embraced and anyone can engage in technical discussions on equal terms

  The building is designed with diversity in mind, for example with all-gender toilets that anyone can use and break rooms where women can express milk, or rest if they are not feeling well. There is also a lot of free space in between floors where furniture can be moved around to meet the required purpose. The idea is to harness synergies across the organization by enabling people of all ages and ranks to engage in technical discussions on equal terms and creating an environment conducive to dissemination of information.

■ Contributing to decarbonization through use of renewable energy

  Advanced technologies allow optimization of air conditioning loads, outside air inflows and light settings, while renewable energy is harnessed by facilities to realize 77% energy savings. The building has received Nearly ZEB status under the Building-Housing Energy-Efficiency Labeling System.

Completion Ceremony Held

  A completion ceremony for the new building was held on April 12, 2023. Congratulations were received from Governor of Miyagi Prefecture Yoshihiro Murai and Mayor of Osaki Yasushi Ito. Alps Alpine President & CEO Toshihiro Kuriyama expressed gratitude to all concerned parties and everyone who cooperated to ensure the successful completion of the construction project.

Alps Alpine President & CEO Toshihiro Kuriyama presents a certificate of appreciation to building designer/contractor Takenaka Corporation

Opening Ceremony Planned

An opening ceremony will be held on May 25, 2023. Introductions to the company and the new building will be given and lectures and panel discussions will be held.

Outline of the New R&D Building (Building No. 3) at Alps Alpine’s Sendai R&D Center (Furukawa)