Koji Furukawa
(Assembly Technology)

The work I am in charge of

I assemble and test compressors and turbines. Products that have finished processing are assembled by ourselves, tested, and delivered to customers. I always feel nervous when making a new product, but I can have a huge sense of accomplishment when testing goes well and then meets the customer's requirements.

Changes and evolutions from the past in the monozukuri (manufacturing) field

When I joined the company, I was in charge of managing product numbers for all aspects of a machine, and was involved in everything from pressure resistance to assembly, testing, shipping preparation, and even installation guidance and trial operation at the site where the product was to be used. Since then, the division of labor has progressed. More and more people are working with VR and online tools to connect to the field remotely.

What I want to do in future, and my message to young people

Automation and other state-of-the-art technologies are being introduced in plants, but it is still important for people onsite to acquire skills and knowledge. I hope young people will take skill tests. These tests require them to decide on a process and make a product on their own, and that is where monozukuri know-how is concentrated. I don't think they can make good products without cultivating such know-how and then being exposed to the latest technologies.