Sustainability Report 01 - Amazon Web Services · Sustainability Report 05 The Hirose Electric Group has incorporated its existing activities related to environmental preservation

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Editorial PolicyMessage from the TopCompany Profile　Company Profile　Business SummaryBasic Environmental Policy　Basic Environmental PolicyPromotion of CSR Activities　CSR of the Hirose Electric Group　Results of Fiscal Year 2013 and Targets for Fiscal Year 2014Development of Eco-friendly Products　Introduction to Eco-friendly Products　Design and DevelopmentEnvironmental Management　Environmental Management Structure　ISO14001 Certifications　Environmental Audit　Environmental Education　Compliance with Laws and Regulations　Environmental Impacts due to Business Activities　Environmental Objectives and Targets and Level of AchievementActivities to Reduce Environmental Impacts　Reduction of Hazardous Substances in our Products　Reduction of Energy Consumption　Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions　Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation　Reduction of Water Usage　Reduction of Waste and Recycling　Reduction of Paper Usage　Biodiversity Conservation　Reduction of Environmental Impacts on Living Environment　Preparedness for EmergenciesCommunication　Social Action Programs　Communication with StakeholdersActivities of the Group Companies to ReduceEnvironmental Impacts　Activities of Domestic Factories to Reduce Environmental Impacts　Activities of Overseas Sites to Reduce Environmental ImpactsHistory of Social and Environmental Activities　History of Social and Environmental Activities

Editorial PolicyHirose Electric and its group companies are undertaking CSR activities to implement their policy of upholding environmental protection and compliance. This report has been compiled to present information about these activities in a way that is easy for our stakeholders to understand. It is also posted on our website to make it accessible to many people.

Period covered by this reportFrom April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014

Companies covered by this reportHirose Electric Co., Ltd.Tohoku Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Miyako Factory)Koriyama Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Koriyama Factory)Ichinoseki Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Ichinoseki Factory)*The activities of some of our overseas production sites are also covered in this report.

Date of publicationJuly 2014

This report refers to the following guidelinesMinistry of the Environment: Environmental Reporting Guidelines (Fiscal Year 2012 Version);GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (Version 4).

NotationsFor s impl ic i ty , the fo l lowing names have sometimes been abbreviated as follows: Tohoku Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. is referred to as the

“Miyako Factory,” Koriyama Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. as the “Koriyama Factory,” and Ichinoseki Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. as the “Ichinoseki Factory.”

DisclaimerThis report includes not only past factual information but also plans and forecasts that were formulated at the time of publication. These data or statements were considered reasonable at the time of writing based on the currently available information, and thus the outcomes of our future activities may differ from what is described in this report.

C O N T E N T S


Ever since they began to develop industry-leading connectors with their own technologies, Hirose Electric and its group companies have established a position that has earned them trust and recognition as a specialized manufacturer of connectors. Today, we are stepping up our efforts to further expand our global business. On a personal note, and on behalf of the entire Company, we would like to express our deep gratitude to our customers and business partners. Without their unfailing support, we would not be where we are today.　　Looking forward, we believe that the electronics field will see the ongoing creation of new functions and services. They will arise not only from the technical progress being made in traditional lines of research but also from the emergence of new domains or the integration of different technical fields. It is our firm conviction that, as a part of the hardware that supports this development, innovative connectors based on new concepts and technologies will be required more than ever before.　　By applying their marketing and innovative prowess, Hirose Electric and its group companies will continue to develop and supply products that meet the evolving needs of the market.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Activities　　Hirose Electric and its group companies adhere to a guiding philosophy of being a small company that brings together the knowledge and wisdom of many people, i.e., “a small company connecting wisdom.” This concept encapsulates our wish to create innovative products by open-mindedly garnering advice from the outside world and linking the wealth of information offered by external sources with the knowledge and insight we have nurtured internally.　　Hirose Electric applies this entrenched philosophy to implementation of its environmental activities. We have been investigating and assessing the environmental impacts of all our activities related to our products, and each of our manufacturing sites has sought to improve their business practice.　　Our Basic Environmental Policy includes promotion of corporate activities that take the preservation of biodiversity fully into consideration. We are providing all employees with ongoing education on biodiversity preservation through e-learning and a variety of events, such as eco-tours. In addition, we have stablished a CSR Committee, which consists of full-time directors and operating officers, to ensure that the objectives of CSR are integrated into all activities.　　We participated in Global Compact, a UN initiative, in 2012. As a company involved in international business, we will continue to strengthen our CSR activities.

Publication of Sustainability Report 2014　　Hirose Electric and its group companies have produced the Sustainability Report 2014 in order to present our CSR and environmental activities to stakeholders and the general public in a clear and straightforward manner. We would appreciate it if you would read this report and give us your frank opinions so that we can continue to improve our activities in these areas.

Message from the Top

As the guardian of a global brand,we are undertaking CSR and environmental activities by bringing together the knowledgeand wisdom of many people.

Kazunori Ishi iPresident

Tatsuro NakamuraChairman


Company ProfileName: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.Founded: August 15, 1937Paid-in capital: 9,404,000,000 yenSales: 124,987,000,000 yen (consolidated, for the year ended March)Pretax recurring profit: 34,747,000,000 yen (consolidated, for the year ended March)

Business Summary

Medical electronics devices

Changes in sales and profit Breakdown of sales by application area

＊ 1 Computers and related products: Laptops are excluded.＊ 2 Wireless devices: Wireless communication devices excluding mobile phones.

Vehicle field

Consumer electronics fieldIndustrial electronics field

　　From the time they developed Japan’s first one-of-a-kind connectors in Japan in 1959, Hirose Electric and its group companies (hereinafter referred to as the Hirose Electric Group) have been leading the industry in technology as a development-oriented enterprise. Our great strength has been industrial connectors, which are more difficult to develop than connectors for household use. Building on the technical know-how we had accumulated in this area, we entered the consumer products market in the recent past, and have been expanding the range of market segments in which we do business. We have received high recognition both within and outside Japan. The Hirose name is evolving into a global brand for connectors based on their capacity to meet a diverse range of international requirements.

0

30

60

90

120

150

0

10

20

30

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50Rate of return

Pretax recurring profit

Sales

20132012201120102009

(%)(Billion yen)

Smartphones andcellular phones 37%

Vehicles 15%

Applied electronics 3%

Wireless devices 3%

Wireline devices 2%

FA control 2%

Tablets and laptops 7%

Office machines 2%

Others 20%

　　　Computers and related products 4%

　Digital home appliances 5%

＊1

＊2

Number of employees: 3,966 (consolidated, for the year ended March)Address of Head Office: 5-23, Osaki 5-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8587, JapanNumber of subsidiaries: Four in Japan, and 13 outside Japan

Company Profile


　　As is fi tting for a company whose slogan is "Creative Links to World Electronics," the Hirose Electric Group recognize the importance of preserving the global environment as one of the basic business challenges associated with its global ambitions. We will therefore promote corporate activities that give full consideration to conservation of the environment and biodiversity.

1. We will investigate and assess the environmental impacts of development, production, marketing, and service activities in connection with our products, and will establish and implement environmental objectives, environmental targets, and environmental management promotion programs at each offi ce, thereby promoting continuous improvement and prevention of pollution to the greatest extent possible through the strategic deployment of technology and fi nance.

2. We will comply with environment-related laws, regulations, and ordinances; laws and regulations concerning chemical substances contained in products; and external requirements that we subscribe to, and defi ne our voluntary control regulations, in an attempt to maintain and improve environmental preservation.

3. We will promote the following activities as priorities in our business activities: ・ Design, production, and marketing of products that are environmentally friendly ・ Control of the use of substances that impose a load on the environment and the prevention of pollution ・Promotion of energy conservation through eff ective utilization of resources, streamlining of operations and reduction of waste ・ Promotion of reduction of industrial waste such as metal chips and waste plastic, and promotion of recycling and reuse through segregation.

4. We will provide in-company training on conservation of the environment and biodiversity, and raise the awareness of, support, and ask for cooperation from our business partners and clients.

Basic Environmental Policy


　　Having been incorporated into a myriad of electronics devices, connectors from Hirose have become an integral part of people’s lives domestically and overseas. As we consider preservation of the global environment to be one of the primary responsibilities of a corporation that manufactures products that are distributed worldwide, the Hirose Electric Group formulated its Basic Environmental Policy in 2001. A revised version was released on April 1, 2011, adding our commitment to the preservation of biodiversity, as we also hold this to be an important facet of corporate responsibility. Our current environmental activities are based on this policy.


April 1, 2011PresidentHirose Electric Co., Ltd.


　　The Hirose Electric Group has incorporated its existing activities related to environmental preservation and compliance into its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and will promote CSR as its main policy.　

CSR of the Hirose Electric Group

CSR Management　　The CSR management of the Hirose Electric Group is founded on three principles: corporate governance, compliance, and risk management.

Hirose Electric Group's CSR management

Corporate governance

ComplianceRisk

management

　　On February 9, 2012, Hirose Electric and its group companies expressed their support for the "Global Compact" advocated by the United Nations, and were registered as participating companies. The Global Compact is a voluntary initiative in which each company provides creative and responsible leadership, acts as a good corporate citizen and participates in the development of a global framework for realizing sustainable growth. Companies participating in the Global Compact consent to support and abide by the ten essential principles of CSR that cover the protection of human rights, the elimination of all forms of unfair and unjust labor practices, the protection of the environment, anti-corruption measures, and are pledged to carry out activities to realize the above with the commitment of their chief executive.　　Participation in the UN Global Compact prompted the Hirose Electric Group, as a good global citizen, to strengthen its ongoing CSR activities in order to contribute to the development of a sustainable society.

Participation in the UN Global Compact

【Compliance】　　The Hirose Electric Group fully recognizes the importance of fulfilling its social mission and corporate responsibilities in the course of its business activities. This is achieved by implementing management policy that is based on the company’s core principles. To meet these responsibilities in all situations in the constantly evolving management environment, we have carefully formulated our guiding principles and criteria for action. These are contained in the Hirose Electric Group Code of Conduct issued in March 2004, and every employee is expected to follow it.　　Being a global enterprise, we revised this code of conduct in 2007 to make it applicable to those working at our overseas sites. At the same time, to ensure that the code was understood and observed at these sites, it was translated into English, Chinese and the other languages spoken in all the areas in which we operate. The code of conduct was revised again in 2012.　　Based on the code, we have been providing ongoing compliance education to ensure that every employee conducts themselves honestly and meets the highest ethical standards.　　We introduced a whistle-blowing system in 2008.

【Corporate governance】　　We place the highest priority on strengthening our corporate governance in order to maintain and enhance our long-term competitiveness in the global market. We are also working to increase our corporate value by streamlining our business management and augmenting our profitability while discharging our social responsibilities to stakeholders.　　As part of our commitment to ensuring the integrity of our business decisions, Hirose Electric has invited four independent people from outside the company to serve on the board of directors or as auditors. From an objective standpoint, they oversee our business management practices and provide useful advice from a range of perspectives.

Promotion of CSR Activities


【Risk management】　　To address a variety of risks that may affect the Hirose Electric Group, we established a Risk Management Committee, which consists of full-time directors and operating officers, and relevant organizations that report to it. We share information about risks associated with our business activities, and implement risk management.　　As a risk management measure, we formulated our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in 2009. The types of risk assumed in the BCP include new strains of influenza in addition to major earthquakes and fires. The BCP describes in detail the measures to be taken to prevent or mitigate operational risks so that our business can continue to operate or quickly resume operations in the event of an emergency or a disaster. This plan is distributed to all employees.　　We also established our Information Security Policy in 2008. We have provided e-learning opportunities to our employees and others who handle information about the Hirose Electric Group so that everyone concerned will observe this policy in their business activities.

Social Responsibilities　　The Hirose Electric Group considers it important to assume the five social responsibilities shown in the figure on the right.　　The responsibility of the company and its employees is to provide high-quality and highly value-added products that meet the needs of our customers. To deliver only the best products to our customers, we have built a quality management system that covers all stages of business activities, from product planning to design, manufacture, and sale/service, and are working on quality improvement on a daily basis.　　To meet our responsibilities to our suppliers and contractors, we have formulated the Green Procurement Guidelines and the Purchase Management Rules to ensure that we procure raw materials and equipment that are free from harmful substances, and build a strong partnership with our suppliers so that we work with them closely in our business operations. We also request our suppliers to establish their own CSR systems.　　So that the company fulfils its responsibilities to its employees, we are providing education and training on an ongoing and scheduled basis so that staff have a clear understanding of the company’s management principles, make concerted efforts to achieve the company’s goals, and develop the ability to work effectively in the global arena. In addition, we are working to create a safe workplace environment that is conducive to both the mental and physical health of employees, and taking measures to prevent accidents and deal effectively with emergencies.　　We meet our responsibilities to stockholders and investors by making sure that the company’s accountability requirements are satisfied and disclosing required information accurately and in a fair manner such that a high level of management transparency is maintained. In addition, we are providing appropriate information at financial results briefing sessions and through our website in accordance with our information disclosure policy.　　Our approach to meeting our responsibilities to the general public and local communities is defined in the Hirose Electric Group Code of Conduct, which requires us to interact with local communities, and, in the international sphere, respect the culture and customers of the countries in which we operate, and contribute to the development of these countries. All our employees are working in accordance with this code of conduct. In addition, we are providing extensive support for art and cultural activities. Hirose International Scholarship Foundation, in which the Chairman of the Board of Hirose Electric serves as director, provides scholarships to students from other Asian countries.

Social responsibilities

assumed by the Hirose Electric

Group

１

２

３

４

５

Responsibilities to our customers (guaranteeing product quality)

Responsibilities to our suppliers and contractors

Responsibilities to our employees

Responsibilities to our stockholders and investors

Responsibilities to the general public

Social Responsibilities　　The Hirose Electric Group has established a CSR Committee, consisting of full-time directors and operating officers. The committee makes decisions on important matters concerning CSR. Furthermore, we have appointed a person to be responsible for CSR. This individual is in charge of promoting CSR activities. A CSR secretariat is responsible for administrative matters.

CSR promotion meeting


Results of Fiscal Year 2013 and Targets for Fiscal Year 2014　　The following table shows the results of fiscal year 2013 and the CSR targets of the Hirose Electric Group for fiscal year 2014. The results are evaluated using a three-grade scale: (○: targets achieved; ∆: relevant activities in progress; and ×: targets not yet achieved). We will continue these activities in order to fulfil our social responsibilities.

Item Issue Targets for fiscal year 2013

Results of fiscal year 2013 Evaluation Targets for fiscal

year 2014

1.Responsibilitiesto customers

Strengthen the organizational structure for the promotion

of CSR

Bui ld mechan isms and organizational structure to reflect the results of CSR questionnaire surveys administered to customers and of the CSR audit.

We have re-built the CSR-specific mechanisms in our intra-net.

○

Build mechanisms and organizational structure to reflect the results of CSR questionnaire surveys administered to customers and of the CSR audit.

Deal with conflict minerals

Collect information about laws and regulations on conflict minerals, and meet requests from customers.

We have made it possible t o sha re i n f o rma t i on col lected by re levant departments, and quickly m e e t r e q u e s t s f r o m customers.

○

Establish and disclose our policy on conflict minerals.

Enhance customer

satisfaction

Enhance our ab i l i ty to respond to compla in ts ove r seas , and c rea te a model organizat ional structure in the customer service section established in Shanghai.

We have enhanced our ab i l i t y t o respond to complaints overseas, and we are creating a model organizational structure in the customer service section establ ished in Shanghai (progressing as planned).

○

Enhance our ability to respond to complaints overseas, and step up the activity level of the customer service section in Shanghai.

2．Responsibilitiesto suppliers

Promote CSR procurement

Ask our suppliers to gain a clear understanding of the HRS Supplier Code of Conduct, and implement the code, which conforms to JEITA's Supply Chain CSR Guidebook.

We have requested all our major suppliers to implement the code of conduct, and received positive replies from all these suppliers.

○

Ask our contractors to gain a clear understanding of the HRS Supp l i e r Code of Conduct and implement the code.

Request partner

companies to adopt BCP

Build a business continuity structure throughout the entire supply chain, and ask suppliers to promote business continuity.

We have asked major suppliers to adopt BCR a n d c h e c k e d t h e i r current status using a questionnaire survey.

○

Build a business continuity structure throughout the entire supply chain, and ask suppliers to promote business continuity.

3．Responsibilities to employees

Share ourcore values

P r o m o t e a n d s h a r e the understanding and imp lementa t ion o f our core values based on our philosophy.

We have ensured that employees understand our core values by having each department hold study sessions.

○

Continuously promote the understanding and implementation of our core values based on our philosophy.

Foster globally adaptable human

　resources

Foster globally adaptable h u m a n r e s o u r c e s b y continuing personnel and language training.

W e h a v e c o n d u c t e d training to foster globally a d a p t a b l e h u m a n resources and language training in accordance with our annual training schedule.

○

Con t i nuous l y f os te r globally adaptable human r e s o u r c e s t h r o u g h personnel and language training in accordance w i t h an es tab l i shed schedule.


Item Issue Targets for fiscal year 2013

Results of fiscal year 2013 Evaluation Targets for fiscal

year 2014

3．Responsibilities to employee

Promote compliance

Cont inuously promote c o m p l i a n c e t r a i n i n g (provide e-learning)・Promote understanding of information security

・Ensure our code o f conduct is observed

We have provided overall c o m p l i a n c e t r a i n i n g , i nc lud ing in format ion security and the code of conduct by offering e-learning twice a year.

○ Periodically send information to strengthen knowledge about compliance.Strengthen the promotion of compliance by executing self-checks during corporate ethics month.

Set guidelines to prevent bribes being offered to overseas civil servants, collect information and hold study sessions for the people concerned.

W e h a v e c o l l e c t e d information about laws and regulations in different countries, organized the information, and held only simple study sessions.

△

Promote industrial

safety and health

Cont inuously promote industrial safety and health activities, and enhance the quality of these activities by carrying out PDCA (plan, do, check and act)

Each business establishment has formulated an annual plan based on the company's annual policy, and improved the plan by periodically checking its execution.

○

Cont inuously promote indus t r ia l sa fe ty and heal th act iv i t ies , and e n h a n c e t h e q u a l i t y of these act iv i t ies by carrying out PDCA (plan, do, check and act)

Adopt BCP in overseas factories

Try to establish BCPs in overseas factories based on the BCP for domestic factories.

Although we have tried t o es tab l i sh BCPs i n o v e r s e a s f a c t o r i e s , this in i t iat ive was not completed wi th in th is fiscal year.

△

Complete the establishment o f BCPs in overseas factories.

4．Responsibilities 　 to stockholders

and investors

Promote IR activities

Cont inuously promote IR activit ies including providing our investors w i th in format ion in a timely manner through quarterly financial results briefing sessions and our website.

We have striven to provide our investors with information in a timely manner through quarterly financial results briefings and our website.

○

Cont inuously promote IR activit ies including providing our investors w i th in format ion in a timely manner through quarterly financial results briefing sessions and our website.

5．Responsibilities to the general public and local

communities

Promote social action

programs

Continuously carry out social action programs.

Each business establishment has participated in activities involving local communities.

○

Continuously carry out social action programs.


Introduction to Eco-friendly Products

　　The Hirose Electric Group provides eco-friendly connectors to our customers, who are active in a wide range of fields, including mobile devices, communication and broadcasting, computers, automobiles, consumer electronics, and measurement and control. We are committed to complying with both domestic and foreign laws and regulations, and meeting customer demands for halogen-free products.　　Furthermore, we have miniaturized connectors by adopting the latest manufacturing technology in all the above fields, and are working to reduce the amount of raw materials used in our products.

Design and Development

　　We are incorporating customer requirements and taking into account environmental impacts right from the product development stage. We conduct design reviews using 3-D graphics to improve efficiency and reduce the use of paper. This in turn leads to a reduction of the development period and costs.

For how many years will it be used?

To what extent must the product be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions?

How strong must the connectors be?

What connector engagement functions are required?

What environmental issues must be addressed?

What materials will be used?

What pulling mechanism will be used?

How much pressure will be applied?

What chemicals are used?

What surface treatment will be used?

Where will it be used?

Who will use it?

What are the environmental issues?

Feedback ― PDCA cycle ―

Feedback Transfer processTransfer documents and meetings

Formulate hypotheses and verify them through the PDCA cycleImprove precision of FMEA

The production division defines important management points【Item/method/standard】

Prototyping and product evaluation

DR meeting

Design FMEA

Design and development process

Manufacturing process

Sales Customer requirements

〈Process design〉〈Jig and tool design〉【Verification using Cpk】

Input

＊1

＊2

＊3

What will be made?

〈Standards used in design〉

【Design specification】

＊ 1 Cpk: Process capability index＊ 2 FMEA: Failure mode and effect analysis＊ 3 DR: Design review

Design review (FMEA)　

Development of Eco-friendly Products


Compact complex connector[BM24 Series]　　The connector of this series has two types of pins (signal pins and power pins), is compact with a low profile, and is used to connect one printed circuit board with another. In conventional connectors, power is supplied through multiple signal pins. By amalgamating these power lines into a single pin, we have reduced the mounting space, and the amount of materials (metals, resins, and boards) that need to be used.　　We have reduced environmental impacts by selecting materials that are halogen-free and conform to the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive. By selecting mold resin materials and metal materials that are used in other series, we have reduced the disposal of leftover materials. In addition, by standardizing the distribution of connectors, we have reduced CO2 emissions.　　We will continue to contribute to the reduction in the amount of raw materials used in our products by selecting eco-friendly materials and designing products in such a way that makes it possible to use these materials.

　　We use different packaging methods for different products. One packaging method uses a stick-shaped magazine into which connectors are inserted.　　The material that has customarily been used most often for this magazine is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, since PVC emits dioxin when it is incinerated (or when incineration is incomplete, to be exact), instead of PVC we switched to polystyrene (PS) as the material used for the DF14 connector magazine.　　By reducing dioxin emissions in this way, we are helping to protect the environment.　　With global environmental protection a major priority, we will continue to focus our attention on effective measures.

DF14 connector magazine[DF14 Series]

Yasuhiro KotaniFH Engineer ing Department

Yohei HasegawaNCB Engineering Department

Takeshi Kumazawa

Connector for a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC)[FH Series]　　The FH series connector is compact with a low profile and has a unique locking structure, which makes it capable of withstanding the pulling forces FPC/FFC are subjected to. It is widely used in smartphones and tablets, which are becoming increasingly thinner and lighter. It contributes to reducing power consumption associated with these terminals.　　In developing products, we try to reduce environmental impacts by selecting materials that are halogen-free and conform to the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive.　　We will continue to contribute to environmental protection by selecting eco-friendly materials and designing products in such a way that makes it possible to use these materials.

Eco-friendly product ①

Eco-friendly product ②

Eco-friendly product ③

NCW Engineering Department


Environmental Management Structure

Environmental Management

ISO14001 Certifications　　Ichinoseki Hirose Electric acquired ISO14001 certification in 1999. The certification was extended to cover Koriyama Hirose Electric and Tohoku Hirose Electric in 2000. In 2002, the Hirose Electric Group, including the three domestic factories, acquired an integrated certification. This demonstrates our commitment to environmental protection.　　Our overseas group companies are making concerted efforts to acquire ISO 14001 certification.

　　The Hirose Electric Group organized an environmental management committee, headed by the chairman of the board of directors of Hirose Electric, and built an environmental management system (EMS). The system spans four organizations: the groups within the Head Office of Hirose Electric and the three domestic factories: Ichinoseki Hirose Electric, Tohoku Hirose Electric, and Koriyama Hirose Electric.　　In accordance with the Hirose Electric Group’s overall targets, which conform to our environmental policy, individual factories, divisions, and departments set their own objectives and targets and engage in their own environmental management activities. Each month, individual factories and divisions measure progress toward the achievement of their objectives and targets, and share this information with other organizations. This information is reported to management each quarter, and individual organizations receive instructions from management on how to make improvements where this is deemed to be necessary.　　The environmental management committee, which consists of management and division directors, is convened monthly to share information and perform a management review.

Head Office

(Administration Group)

Ichinoseki Hirose Electric

(Ichinoseki Factory)

Tohoku Hirose Electric

(Miyako Factory)

Koriyama Hirose Electric

(Koriyama Factory)

Yokohama Center

(Sales & Marketing Group, Engineering Group, Production Group,

Quality Assurance Department, Production Techniques Department)

Sales & Marketing

Group

Engineering

Group

Production

Group

Quality Assurance

Department

Production Techniques

Department

Division director

Division director

Division directorDivision directorDivision director

Division environmental

management leader

Kansai

Branch

Chief environmental officer

Internal environmental auditor

Environment management office

Chairman

Division environmental management leader

Chubu Sales

Office

Kikuna Office

Environmental activity

promotion leader

Environmental

activity

promotion leader

Environmental

activity

promotion leader

Environmental

activity

promotion leader

Environmental

activity

promotion leader

Environmental

activity

promotion leader


management leader


management leader


management leader

<Environmental management system organization>

1999 Ichinoseki Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

2000 Koriyama Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Tohoku Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

2002 The certification was extended to cover Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (including the domestic three factories), and it was converted to an integrated certification.

2004 Hirose Electric Malaysia P.T.Hirose Electric Indonesia Hirose Electric (Dongguan, China)

2009 Hirose Electric (Suzhou, China)


Environmental Audit

Environmental Education

Internal audit

Education for designers

External audit

Education for new recruits

Education at a factory

　　The Hirose Electric Group carries out an internal environmental audit to make sure that its environmental management system is working and being properly maintained in accordance with ISO14001. In fiscal year 2013, the audit was conducted from August 1 to 30.　　This internal audit identified six problems but none of these were major such as significant deviations from the plan or problems affecting the entire system. All the identified problems have since been rectified.　　To maintain and renew ISO14001 certification, we undergo periodic external reviews. In fiscal year 2013, the periodic review and change review were carried out from December 10 to 12. These reviews did not identify any problems. The reviewers confirmed that our registered environmental management system is being properly maintained.

　　The Hirose Electric Group provides environmental education for all staff so that every employee understands the importance of environmental protection activities, and has a clear understanding of his or her responsibilities when engaging in these activities.　　In addition, we provide specialized education for those personnel who are involved in any work that could potentially have a significant impact on the environment.　　We also raise the awareness of staff regarding the importance of biodiversity by providing e-learning on the subject, and hosting eco-tours that bring them into direct contact with nature.

E-learning about biodiversity


Seminar attended: Seminar on environmental laws and regulations　　My knowledge about environmental laws and regulations had been fragmentary. This seminar enabled me to acquire the knowledge I needed in a systematic manner. I had thought that environmental considerations and design were independent of each other, but I have realized that, when we verify our design, we must be aware that the environment is one of the functional requirements for the product we design. The seminar drove home the realization that even a small mistake can lead to a major complaint or compensation for damage. As a design draughtsman, I will coach the people in my section on environmental laws and regulations.　　I realized that company-wide activities, involving the production, sales and engineering divisions, are essential to sound environmental management. However, verification during the development stage must be led by the engineering division so that when new products are in the process of being developed, the preservation of the global environmental is taken into consideration.

Osamu MiyamotoOptical Engineering Department

Seminar attended: Seminar on environmental laws and regulations　　Before I attended this seminar, I had assumed that effective measures to prevent failures were to include the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions among the design FMEA items and to use parts that comply with the green procurement standard.　　However, as was pointed out during this seminar, our process FMEA meetings did not examine possible inclusion or attachment of foreign materials during production.　　I will endeavor to raise my awareness about the environment at every stage of product development, and share my recognition of these issues with all the members concerned.

Masahiro Tsuchida

Seminar attended: New recruit training　　In the environmental seminar, I learned many things about environmental problems and pollution and thought of how I can contribute to environmental activities.　　The environmental management section, to which I belong, examines chemicals contained in our products in light of the RoHS directive, the European Union’s REACH regulation (regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals) and individual customer’s requests, and provides information about chemicals used in the form of certificates or reports, so that our customers can use our products with the assurance that they are safe.　　I realized that my daily work, which ensures that our customers are supplied with only eco-friendly products, contributes to environmental protection. This raised my awareness about the environment.　　As a member of Hirose Electric, I will continue to take steps that ensure that the environment is protected.

Risa IshibashiEnvironment management Office

Seminar attended: New recruit training　　By attending the environmental seminar, I was able to learn what specific measures the Hirose Electric Group is taking to protect the environment.　　I also learned that the Hirose Electric group companies are working hard to make sure that their business and manufacturing practices comply with the RoHS directive, the REACH regulation, and other laws and regulations. I realized that not only Hirose Electric as a corporation but I as an individual must work hard for environmental preservation.　　In addition, I learned about biodiversity and renewed my understanding that human actions that destroy the environment have significant impacts on many living things including human beings, who are all dependent on a healthy ecosystem.　　This seminar prompted me to think that I must do everything I can to preserve the environment, for example, separating trash into categories and taking a reusable bag with me when I go shopping.

Ayami KonGlobal Marketing Department

VOICES

RF Engineering Department


Compliance with Laws and Regulations

　　The Hirose Electric Group is ensuring compliance with the relevant laws and regulations through the following activities. We have created lists of all the environment-related laws and regulations that apply to Hirose Electric and individual factories. We have also created lists (database) of documents that must be submitted to the relevant government offices to prevent any omissions when we submit such documents.　　We periodically ascertain compliance with the relevant laws and regulations based on the assessment standards we are legally required to comply with, and also check compliance with any agreements we have concluded with municipalities.　　In addition to the above, we are reinforcing our supervision through a monthly environmental patrol at each factory. The patrol team checks whether our daily activities comply with the relevant laws and regulations.　　As a result, no significant violation of the relevant environmental laws and regulations was found during fiscal year 2013.

Environmental patrol

　　As part of its EMS activities, the Tohoku Hirose Electric Group conducts patrols in the presence of those concerned to ensure that industrial waste is separated into the specified categories. Thanks to the meticulous separation of plastic materials used in packaging, which are considered to be recyclable valuables, there are no complaints from buyers regarding our handling of waste, and only valuable resources are brought to the depository.　　Thorough separation of waste products to reduce industrial waste is one of the topics in our annual environmental education plan and all employees receive training regarding this issue. Patrols are carried out on garbage collection days in the company of those responsible for separating the waste correctly.　　While the amount of industrial waste was the same in fiscal years 2011 and 2012, it was reduced by 18% in fiscal year 2013 due the comprehensive separation initiatives implemented this year. We will try to further reduce the amount of waste in fiscal year 2014.

Patrol in the presence of those concerned

Amount of industrial waste

List of environmental laws and regulations, and lists of documents to

be submitted(Database)

List of types of waste

VOICE

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Kinue SasakiQuality Assurance DepartmentTohoku Hirose Electric


Environmental Impacts due to Business Activities　　We are making sure that our business activities are eco-friendly by ascertaining what impacts these activities have on the environment.　　Activities with the potential to cause environmental impacts during fiscal year 2013 are listed below.

GAS

Electric power15.401 million ｋWh(14,411 million ｋWh)＊1

304 ㎥(215 ㎥)

247ｋｇ(188 ｋｇ)

177.9 kℓ(209.7 kℓ)

31.1 kℓ(25.4 kℓ)

0.64 kℓ(1.26 kℓ)

49.7 kℓ(63.1 kℓ)

41.7 k㎥(38.8 k㎥)

8.6 k㎥(9.7 k㎥)

6,419 t(4,064 t)

38.3 t(36.4 t)

244.1 t(205.7t)

Energy

Gas

Fuel

Copy paper

Raw materials

Clean water

City gas

LPG

Fuel oil A

Kerosene

Light oil

Gasoline

Groundwater

Water resources

CO2 8,348.7ｔ-CO2(6,814.0ｔ-CO2)

Emissions in the air

CO2 227.6 t-CO2(227.6ｔ-CO2)

Emissions from physical distribution

Specially controlled industrial waste

264.7ｔ(476.5 t)

Produced products

575.553 million pieces(648.876 million pieces)

General industrial waste687.7ｔ(690.2 t)

Waste

Water discharge50.2 k㎥(48.5 k㎥)

Production

Sales and physical

Water discharge

Products

Resources

Paper resources

Cardboard

＊2

distribution

＊ 1 ( ) shows data for fiscal year 2012.＊ 2 The real CO2 emission factors of individual power companies were used in the calculation.

INPUT OUTPUT

OUTPUTINPUT

環境マネジメント


Environmental Impacts due to Business Activities Environmental Objectives and Targets and Level of Achievement　　The Hirose Electric Group undertakes environmental protection activities by setting annual environmental objectives and targets.　　The overall objectives of the Hirose Electric Group are to develop products that have a low impact on the environment, to reduce waste and to operate efficiently. Based on these objectives, individual factories and divisions set specific activity objectives to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations. The objectives and targets for fiscal year 2013 are shown below. 　　We will continue to protect the environment as we strive to achieve the targets we set.

Hirose group’s objectives Targets for fiscal year 2013 Achievement in

fiscal year 2013 Evaluation＊3

Develop products with low

environmental impacts

Complete the planned activities for strengthening control over the use of prohibited materials

　100％ ○

Check 97% of our business partners to find out if their green procurement guidelines are being kept up-to-date

　100％ ○

Using an FMEA sheet, make sure during product development that the design of a new product has taken the environment into consideration

　100％ ○

Reduce waste and operate efficiently

　Reduce energy usage by 11.0% from fiscal year 2012 　Reduced by 19% ＊ 2 ○

　Reduce water usage by 1.0% from fiscal year 2012 　Reduced by 21% ＊ 2 ○

　Reduce CO2 emissions ＊ 1 by 1.0% from fiscal year 2012 　Reduced by 6% ＊ 2 ○

　Reduce the amount of specially controlled industrial waste by 1.0% from fiscal year 2012

　Reduced by 57% ＊ 2 ○

　Reduce the amount of general industrial waste by 1.0% from fiscal year 2012

　Reduced by 24% ＊ 2 ○

　Reduce spoilage cost. The target upper limit is set 　Reduced by 11% ○

　Reduce disposal of metal materials by recovering metal scrap (100% recovery)

　100％　 ○

　Build a global management system 　Completed as planned ○

　Switch to LED lighting in the target buildings 　Completed as planned ○

　Enhance value efficiency of work by 10% Enhanced by 11% ○

　Save energy through local procurement. The target value is the number of instances of local procurement

　Exceeded 12% ○

＊ 1 The real CO2 emission factors of individual power companies were used in the calculation.＊ 2 This percentage is calculated in reference to the target amount of usage per unit of sales.＊ 3　The achievement is evaluated using a three-grade scale ( ○ : targets achieved; △ : relevant activities in progress; and × : targets not yet achieved).


Reduction of Hazardous Substances in our Products　　The Hirose Electric Group responds rapidly to revisions of laws governing chemicals contained in products, as these laws are becoming increasingly stringent year by year.　　During product design, we select eco-friendly parts and materials in accordance with our green procurement guidelines, and during design verifi cation, we examine whether the environment is being taken into consideration. We improve the level of knowledge of new designers by holding an annual seminar on chemicals.　　We started to bring our activities into line with the RoHS directive＊1 in 2005. Accordingly, we had updated all our major products by 2006, which was earlier than the enforcement of the relevant law. We installed X-ray fl uorescence spectrometers at all our production sites and put an organizational structure in place to analyze specified toxic substances. By 2007, we had ceased to manufacture any products＊2 that did not conform to RoHS.　　Ever since a list of substances of high concern (SVHC) associated with the REACH regulation＊3 was fi rst released in November 2008, we have been meeting the compliance requirements for substances on the list, which is updated frequently, and making public information about the chemicals used in our products.　　By 2013, we had ceased to use dibutyltin compounds, the use of which is prohibited by the REACH regulation.

＊1 RoHS directive: This was promulgated on February 13, 2003 and enforced on July 1, 2006 by the European Union (EU). This directive restricts the use of six specifi ed hazardous substances in electric and electronic products: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE).＊2 Except for some customized products.＊3 REACH regulation: Regulation concerning registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals, promulgated on December 30, 2006 and enforced on June 12, 2007. This regulation prohibits selling products that contain unregistered chemicals within the European Union. It also includes regulations governing the conduct of producers and importers, and the supplier's obligation to make relevant information public.

Tohoku Hirose Electric Koriyama Hirose Electric

Activities to Reduce Environmental Impacts

＜Analysis of specifi ed hazardous substances using an X-ray fl uorescence spectrometer＞

Malaysia Factory Indonesia factory Taiwan factory

Dongguan factory Suzhou factory



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Hirose Electric Group


Hirose Electric Ichinoseki Hirose Electric


Energy consumption per unit of sales

(1000GJ)

Ener

gy c

onsu

mpt

ion

140.22

(GJ/100 million yen)

Ener

gy c

onsu

mpt

ion

per

unit

of s

ales

148159

160.08

128

152.12

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Reduction of Energy Consumption　　The Hirose Electric Group is working to reduce power consumption at its offices and factories. The measures taken routinely include turning lights off during lunchtime, encouraging staff not to use elevators when they need to go up or down only one or two floors, reducing power consumption in rest rooms, and putting up energy saving campaign posters in offices and factories.　　Since 2011, Ichinoseki Hirose Electric has been growing bitter gourds so that they will serve as shade (green curtains) in summer. Tohoku Hirose Electric began to switch to LED lighting in all its plants in 2012. However, since it has been reducing outsourcing and increasing internal production, its power consumption has been on the rise. The company is now designated as a specified business operator because the level of its energy use has exceeded the threshold value of 1,500 kl (crude oil equivalent) defined in the law concerning the rational use of energy. The energy consumption per unit of sales of the Hirose Electric Group in fiscal year 2013 was 19% lower than that in fiscal year 2012.

Power saving in rest rooms (Yokohama Center)

Green curtain (Ichinoseki Hirose Electric)

LED lighting (Tohoku Hirose Electric)

Hirose Electric

(1000GJ)


Ichinoseki Hirose Electric Koriyama Hirose Electric

34.10 33.4

53.37 58.61

43.59 50.50

9.16 9.63

Light oil ＬＰＧ City gas Kerosene Gasoline

Fuel oil A Power (purchased during daylight hours)Power (purchased at night)

(1000GJ)

31.1

63.32

56.74

8.96

(1000GJ)

(1000GJ)


0

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6000

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Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation

　　Most greenhouse gas emissions from the Hirose Electric Group come from the use of electric power, fuel oil A and gasoline. The majority of these are CO2 emissions produced by the generation of electric power using fossil fuels.　　In fiscal year 2013, the power companies in Japan were obliged to stop operating their nuclear power stations. As a result, their use of thermal power stations increased, which raised their CO2 emission factor ＊ . Although this pushed up our indirect emissions of CO2, we managed to reduce them by 6% compared to fiscal year 2012.＊ We used the real CO2 emission factors provided by individual electric power companies.

　　To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, the Hirose Electric Group are taking the following measures:

●Use returnable trays for packaging when shipping products ●Locally procure trays that are used in overseas factories. ●Select efficient distribution routes. ●Change shuttle trucks between Hirose factories from 2-ton trucks to　 lightweight trucks. ●Replace conventional cars used in factories with hybrid cars.

Lightweight truck

(t-CO2)

(t-CO2) (t-CO2)

1,467 1,311

2,667 2,701

2,229 2,349

434 453

(t-CO2)

0

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4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

201320122011 0

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4

6

8

(t-CO2)

Emis

sion

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Emis

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r un

it of

sal

es


7.17

6,798 6,814

7.10

(t-CO2/100 million yen)

8,349

6.68

1,415

3,441

3,051

442

Hirose Electric Tohoku Hirose Electric


Light oil ＬＰＧ City gas Kerosene Gasoline

Fuel oil A Power (purchased during daylight hours)Power (purchased at night)






0

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100

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60


(1000m3)

Wat

er u

sage

(m3/100 million yen)U

sage

per

uni

t of

sal

es

47.92 50.57

45.42 48.51

Reduction of Water Usage　　The Hirose Electric Group is striving to reduce domestic use of water. Our factories are also working to reduce the amount of water used in production. For example, Ichinoseki Hirose Electric recycles water that has been used in the plating process.　　The water usage per unit of sales of the Hirose Electric Group in fiscal 2013 was 21% lower than that in the previous year.

Cooling tower

50.24

40.19

0

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15

20

25

201320122011

11.04 9.95 8.23

(1000m3)

0

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25

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23.72 21.86 21.90

(1000m3)

0

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25

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12.82 11.5010.65

0

5

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15

20

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3.74 4.68 4.07

Hirose Electric Tohoku Hirose Electric






(1000m3)(1000m3)


Reduction of Waste and Recycling　　The Hirose Electric Group is handling waste produced from its business operations responsibly. Industrial waste is classified into specially controlled industrial waste and general industrial waste. We manage each of these waste types separately.　　Specially controlled industrial waste is stored and processed at specified storage facilities under strict conditions. Ichinoseki Hirose Electric endeavors to reduce waste disposal by neutralizing acid and alkaline waste.　　We are making sure that general industrial waste is carefully separated into the proper categories by putting up signs that explain how to separate waste into plastic, metal, paper, etc. In addition, to create value or generate revenue from waste, we extract valuable substances, and either recycle them internally or sell them.　　Thanks to these activities, the amount of specially controlled industrial waste disposed of in fiscal year 2013 was reduced by 57% from the previous year, and that of general industrial waste by 24%.

Separation of general industrial waste

Separated cardboard

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Disposal of specially controlled industrial waste

0.50

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265

0.21

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0.9

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810

0.85(t/100 million yen)

0.72

690 688

0.55

VOICE

Visiting industrial waste disposal contractors to carry out inspections

　　　　　　　　　　As there has been a string of reports on illegal dumping, the responsibility of industrial waste generating companies is gaining in importance. Such companies have an obligation to directly inspect contractors that collect or dispose of waste.　　Each year, the Hirose Electric Group dispatches staff to visit contractors that dispose of the waste produced by its factories to conduct a thorough inspection. In fiscal year 2013, I visited a waste processing plant in Kitagami, Iwate, and inspected it with regard to four factors: (1) waste processing flow, (2) whether its facilities are tidy and well-organized, (3) the operational state of its facilities, and (4)

its environmental activities. 　　This plant recycles waste oil. Its processing flow is disclosed on its website. The Iwate prefectural government upgraded its ranking as an industrial waste disposal company from two stars to three stars. I was able to confirm that their operation was clean and sound and felt reassured as a result.　　I will continue to visit and inspect contractors periodically to prevent occurrences of illegal operations.

Hidenori AnzaiIchinoseki Hirose Electric

Reception canopy(Discharge vent for

recycled oil)

Tank for waste oil separation






Reduction of Paper Usage　　As part of its commitment to saving resources, the Hirose Electric Group is working to reduce paper usage.　　We are reducing paper use by printing on both sides of a sheet, condensing two or more pages into a single page, printing on the back of previously used paper, and using electronic documents. We also preferentially purchase paper that has an environmental label.　　In fiscal year 2013, we endeavored to cut down on paper use by replacing paper documents with files on laptop PCs in meetings, and substituting electronic files for internally circulated paper documents. However, since the volume of production increased, our paper usage was 5% higher than that in fiscal year 2012. 　　We will continue our efforts to reduce paper consumption.

Stacks of used copy paper

Biodiversity Conservation　　The Hirose E lectr ic Group is preserv ing biodiversity by developing, producing and selling environmentally friendly products.　　One of the measures we take to raise staff awareness about biodiversity is to provide them with e-learning opportunities on the subject and afterwards ask them if they will make pledge about specific actions they will take to preserve biodiversity in everyday life.　　As the first step toward biodiversity preservation, we incorporated eco-tour programs into staff social gatherings in fiscal year 2013. These programs enabled employees to have contact with marine life. One program involved a lesson on how dolphins live and gave participants the chance to swim with and have direct contact with real dolphins. Another program enabled the participants to go snorkeling in the sea and observe fish. This provided an enjoyable environment for the participants to share experiences and deepen their understanding of marine life.

Scenes of eco-tours

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VOICEPlanning eco-tours　　Rather than worrying about how to approach different aspects of biodiversity, I decided that the participants should enjoy having contact with nature. So I planned eco-tours. There were four field tours that enabled participants to come into direct contact with marine creatures. The tours involved learning about the life of dolphins, and observing fish.　　A participant said, “I was thrilled to pieces to touch a dolphin.” I believe that everyone on the tours had good experiences. Looking forward, I would like to plan activities that are more strongly associated with biodiversity preservation.

Maki Nakada


Hirose Electric Ichinoseki Hirose ElectricKoriyama Hirose Electric

IT GeneralAdministration Office


Reduction of Environmental Impacts on Living Environment

Preparedness for Emergencies

　　The Hirose Electric Group is making sure that their operations comply with the relevant laws and regulations of the national and regional governments with regard to prevention of air pollution, water contamination, noise and vibration.　　We ensure that exhaust from boilers in our factories does not pollute the air by periodically checking potential air pollutants in the exhaust. We also endeavor to reduce noise and vibration by regularly inspecting the pressing machines installed in our factories and the Kikuna Office and assessing the levels of noise and vibration.

　　The Hirose Electric Group has compiled response manuals for a wide range of possible emergencies that could potentially have impacts on the environment. We conduct regular drills to confirm that the manuals are effective and to raise the awareness of those concerned.　　We also carry out regular fire drills to maintain workplace safety.

○ gas leakage ○ lead contamination in discharged water ○ chemical leakage ○ gas leakage due to defective ventilation○ broken plating machine ○ broken vessel containing discharged plating solution ○ leakage from a container used to store plating materials

Training exercise for accidental leakage from

a waste liquid container.

Measure to prevent theft of toxic materials

＜Examples of emergencies＞

Fire drills


Social Action Programs

Cleanup Activities in Local Communities(Tohoku Hirose Electric and Ichinoseki Hirose Electric)

Blood Donation (Made at Each Business Site)

Picking up litter around the company (Tohoku Hirose Electric)

Picking up litter around the company(Tohoku Hirose Electric)

Participation in a blood donation drive (Yokohama Center)

Communication

Collection of PET Bottle Caps　　We are collecting PET bottle caps and donating them to local elementary schools, which make money by selling them to recycling companies. Because the caps are not incinerated but recycled, CO2 emissions are reduced. We also participate in a donation initiative that helps children around the world receive vaccinations.

Collected PET bottle caps PET bottle caps being dried

　　All the business sites of the Hirose Electric Group annually participate in a blood donation drive organized by the Japan Red Cross Society.

　　Since their establishment, Tohoku Hirose Electric and Ichinoseki Hirose Electric have been cleaning up their respective neighborhoods on a regular basis, and will continue to do so.


Communication with Stakeholders

Communication with Suppliers　　The Hirose Electric Group holds a regular TOP training workshop (workshop on quality) and a meeting to exchange New Year's greetings with its suppliers in order to forge a closer partnership.　　In addition, with a view to incentivizing suppliers to implement environmentally friendly practices, we make a list that ranks suppliers based on a range of evidence submitted by the suppliers themselves, and make the list public.

Formulation of Green Procurement Guidelines　　As part of its activities to preserve the environment and protect biodiversity, the Hirose Electric Group has formulated the Hirose Electric Group Green Procurement Guidelines in order to preferentially procure parts and materials that have a low impact on the environment. The guidelines apply to components that make up products, materials used during the manufacturing process, and the packaging materials used in the shipping of products. They also apply to the machinery and tools used at manufacturing sites. We are making concerted efforts to implement green procurement. We have distributed the guidelines to our suppliers, and asked them to create their own environmental management and chemical control systems, and submit information about chemicals contained in the products we purchase.

TOP training workshop

1/16


Green Procurement Guidelines

Fifth Edition

Established on June 26, 2013

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

CCrreeaattiivvee LLiinnkkss ttoo WWoorrlldd EElleeccttrroonniiccss

Meeting to exchange New Year’s greetings

Hirose Technology Exhibitions　　Every three years, the Hirose Electric Group holds a technology exhibition. In 2013, Hirose Technology Exhibition CONNEXTION 2013 was held in Tokyo and Osaka. The exhibition in 2013 presented the entire range of new products and technologies that have been designed to meet the needs of the future, including prototypes. The products and technologies were arranged by purpose and application field. Large numbers of visitors congregated around the exhibits, including visitors from overseas.

Scene of the Hirose Technology Exhibition


Tohoku Hirose Electric (Miyako Factory)Address: 21-2, 2nd Chiwari, Akamae, Miyako, Iwate, 027-0202,JapanBusiness: Production of nylon connectors (primary processing and assembly), and development and production of advanced metal molds and automated machinery　


Ichinoseki Hirose Electric (Ichinoseki Factory)Address : 14-36, Todai, Ichinoseki, Iwate, 021-0822, JapanBusiness: Production of coaxial connectors, high-frequency/ optical devices, optical connectors, interface connectors, and processed components

Hidenori AnzaiComponent Department

Activities of Group Companies to Reduce Environmental Impacts

Activities of Domestic Factories to Reduce Environmental Impacts

　　Because the Miyako Factory, located in Miyako city, Iwate, is surrounded by the Sanriku Fukko National Park, it is an area endowed with a rich natural landscape. Located at the eastern-most point of mainland Japan, Miyako is the first city in the main island to see the sunrise. Some communities in Miyako have agreed not to use synthetic detergents. This indicates their high level of interest in preserving their natural environment.　　To protect this outstanding natural environment, we at Miyako Factory have been undertaking activities to reduce the use of materials that have an adverse effect on the environment, and to recycle and reuse various resources.　　In addition, to reduce power consumption, we have reduced the number of fluorescent lamps and turn illumination off whenever it is not required. Since 2012, we have been replacing fluorescent lamps with LED lamps. About 2,300 lamps were replaced over a two-year period, which has resulted in monthly power consumption being cut by 41,504 kWh. Company cars have been replaced with hybrid vehicles. By the end of fiscal year 2014, about 45% of all cars will be hybrids.

　　Ichinoseki Factory is located in a beautiful natural area with a view of Mt. Kurikoma, a central symbol of the Kurikoma Quasi-national Park, far to the east, and abuts the Kitagami River. Surrounded by this exceptional natural environment, we take into consideration how our business activities affect the everyday life of those living in the local community.　　To reduce impacts on the environment, we have been improving business efficiency, cutting down on waste by reducing the number of defective products, reusing paper and packaging materials, thoroughly separating valuable materials (11 materials), and reducing the amount of specially controlled industrial waste. As a result, in fiscal year 2013, we were able to reduce the amount of specially controlled industrial waste by 7.1% compared with fiscal year 2012.　　In addition, as we had done in previous years, we grew bitter gourds to serve as green curtains in fiscal year 2013 to reduce summertime power consumption.　　We are reducing impacts on the global environment and preserving biodiversity by continuing with the above-mentioned activities and making sure that our business activities do not involve the use of materials that adversely affect the environment.

Yoshihiro GunjiNC Production Department



Koriyama Hirose Electric (Koriyama Factory)Address: 87-3, Ogawara, Koriyama, Fukushima, 963-8828, JapanBusiness: Production of ribbon-cable connectors, interface connectors, nylon connectors and connectors for automobiles

Masahiko OfujiPQW Production Department

Tohoku Hirose ElectricIchinoseki Hirose Electric


Hirose Electric Head Office

　　Koriyama Factory has started a new initiative to reduce impacts on the environment. We are promoting a green earth policy that involves converting idle land within the factory into gardens and growing eggplants, cucumbers, and other vegetables.　　In fiscal year 2013, all the employees were divided into 11 groups. Each group bought seedlings and worked together to grow vegetables. We will implement measures designed to strengthen teamwork, and provide opportunities whereby everyone can perceive the importance of environmental management and of producing things in a manner friendly to the environment. In autumn, the harvest will be shared by all. In this way, we will both cultivate teamwork and promote a “green earth.” This is just one initiative in our ongoing efforts to reduce impacts on the environment.


＜Locations of the head office and factories＞


Activities of Overseas Sites to Reduce Environmental Impacts　　Since the first signing of an overseas agency agreement in 1967, the Hirose Electric Group has steadily expanded its overseas agency network. Our sales network now covers 23 countries. We have also promoted globalization of our production sites. Our first foothold overseas was a material procurement office in Taiwan (currently Hirose Electric Taiwan) founded in 1987. Since the 1990s, we have founded a string of factories in Malaysia, Indonesia and China. We have been expanding our mass-production facilities to meet the increasing demand from around the world, and are aiming to globalize our production capabilities.　　The Hirose Electric Group has put in place a reliable infrastructure for checking harmful materials by installing X-ray fluorescence spectrometers capable of detecting substances subject to the RoHS directive at all our production sites.

Hirose Electric EUROPE

Hirose Electric (USA), INC.

HIROSE KOREA CO., LTD.

Hirose Electric (SHANHAI) CO., LTD

BEIJING BRANCH,

Hirose Electric (SHANGHAI)

CO.,LTD

Hirose Electric (SUZHOU) CO., LTD

UK BRANCH,


GERMAN BRANCH,


BANGALORE LIAISON OFFICE,

Hirose Electric

SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.

PENANG LIAISON OFFICE,

Hirose Electric

SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.

DELHI LIAISON OFFICE,

Hirose Electric

SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.

Hirose Electric

MALAYSIA SDN. BHD.

Hirose Electric

SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.

P.T. Hirose Electric

INDONESIA

Hirose Electric ECHNOLOGIES

(SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.

Hirose Electric (DONGGUAN)

CO., LTD.

Hirose Electric

HONG KONG CO., LTD.

Hirose Electric

TAIWAN CO., LTD.


History of social and environmental activities


Activities Certifications and participation in relevant organizations

1970s1980s

1990s

Ceases cadmium platingStops the use of asbestos and specified bromine fire retardantsEliminates chlorofluorocarbons

19992000

2002

20032004

2005

2006

2007

200820092010

2011

2012

2013

Promotes lead-free productsStops the use of chlorine organic solvents (dichloromethane)Formulates the Hirose Electric Group Code of Conduct

Complies with the RoHS directive (begins to supply substitute products not containing RoHS prohibited substances)Installs X-ray fluorescence spectrometers in all production sites both in Japan and abroadComplies with the RoHS directive (All major products no longer contain RoHS prohibited substances)Stops the manufacture of products that do not comply with the RoHS directive (except for some customized products)Increases the number of X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (at Koriyama and Ichinoseki Factories)Begins preparations to comply with the REACH directiveComplies with the EuP directive (directive on eco-design of energy-using products)PFOS survey (compliance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention))Revises the Hirose Electric Group Code of ConductFormulates the information security policyFormulates the business continuity plan (BCP)Begins to increase halogen-free productsEstablishes the CSR CommitteePromotes reduction in use of resources and CO2 emissionsBegins preparations to comply with the revised RoHSBegins activities to preserve biodiversityRevises the Hirose Electric Group Code of ConductCeases manufacture of products that contain dibutyltin compounds

Ichinoseki Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. acquires ISO14001 certificationKoriyama Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. acquires ISO14001 certificationTohoku Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. acquires ISO14001 certificationHirose Electric (including the above domestic factories) expands the certification area and switches to an integrated ISO14001 certification.　

Hirose Electric Malaysia acquires ISO14001 certificationP.T.Hirose Electric Indonesia acquires ISO14001 certificationHirose Electric (Dongguan, China) acquires ISO14001 certificationParticipates in Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI)

Joins the Joint Article Management Promotion Consortium (JAMP)

Hirose Electric (Suzhou, China) acquires ISO14001 certification

Participates in the UN Global CompactParticipates in domestic subcommittee, VT62474, of IEC/TC111

Contact Information

Environment Management OfficeHirose Electric Co., Ltd.

6-3, Nakagawachuo 2-chome, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 224-8540, Japan

TEL: +81-45-620-3563; FAX: +81-45-591-3727


Documents

Sustainability Report 01 - Amazon Web Services · Sustainability Report 05 The Hirose Electric Group has incorporated its existing activities related to environmental preservation