ArTechX.ing (formerly Kansai Plastic Industry) - A long-established company aiming to create a hopeful future through semiconductor technology with a new structure.

Interview with President Kazumasa Tounan

We spoke with Kazumasa Tounan, the president of ArTechX.ing.

New Office Building

Last year (2023), we rebuilt our office and established the Mission Statement 2023. This year (2024), we have continued with the significant decision of changing our company name. It must have required a clear vision and thorough preparation.

Tounan (no honorifics)

Not at all. It just happened, I guess.

As for the office, our company used to be all male until recently. However, the number of female employees has gradually increased. The problem we faced at that time was the restroom issue.

We only had one, and it became necessary to add more. Moreover, since our offices and factories are scattered, we had to create restrooms in various locations. But there was no space available.

As I was sketching plans, everything turned into a new building (laughs).

Mission Statement 2023

The Mission Statement 2023 reflects President Tounan's heartfelt thoughts.

Tounan

That's a bit different.
Previously, I wrote our management philosophy in my own words.

However, the thoughts of a third-generation president are not that significant. They cannot compare to the first generation that established the company from scratch. Therefore, I wanted to make a statement that reflects the thoughts of all employees. And that's how it turned out.

I was resistant to including "semiconductors" in the mission.

Currently, most of our business is related to semiconductors. However, some employees are involved in other tasks. So, even if I wanted to write it, I couldn't.

Then everyone said, "Let's write it." Even employees who are not involved said, "It's our main business."

I was happy. I also made up my mind to proceed with semiconductors.

The phrase "The driving force is the dreams of the employees" is said to be a phrase from the president's past. It contains the president's feelings.

Tounan

After all, it's about "people," so we have declared ourselves a "health-promoting company."

Additionally, I added the Okayama dialect in parentheses to the vision, and the 7 Habits as well. The 7 Habits resonated with me after I attended a seminar.

Then, I had all employees learn it. They said it was good, so we adopted it for the names of the rooms in the new office building.

New Company Name

Please tell us about the thoughts behind the company name ArTechX.ing.

Tounan

This was also thought up by the employees.

I have always been particular about "technical capability," but it became clear that "that's not enough." We need to have "love" for the products and the people who use them.

So, what is "love"? I thought about it, and words like "beauty" and "kindness" came up. These were replaced with Art, and Tech is an inseparable relationship, and X represents the power to change through DX, and the power to continue is ing.

When everything was connected, it became ArTechX.ing.

Community Activities

Please tell us about your cultural projects and social contribution activities.

Tounan

I want to support local sports teams, and for me, soccer is a sport that families can enjoy together, so I support Fagiano Okayama.

I have employees use the invitation tickets as a club sponsor. I have a season pass.

Tounan

We are collaborating with Okayama University and Okayama Prefectural University.

In the Kibi no Mori Creative Strategy Project at Okayama Prefectural University, we accepted graduate students and upperclassmen who worked on our practical issues.

In the 2023 academic year, we worked together to think about the utilization of digital signage, and the resulting video is being streamed on the signage.

It would be even better if it leads to hiring, but both my employees and I are receiving good stimulation.

Origin

It is said that you distributed Igusa Glass to commemorate the completion of the new office building.

Tounan

I looked for something local. It's beautiful, isn't it? At first glance, I decided, "This is it."

Moreover, I feel that igusa has a connection with "en" (meaning "fate" or "connection").

Will the name Kansai Plastic Industry remain?

Tounan

Since it is a name that has served us for 68 years, we decided to keep it in the form of a monument.

By donating to the Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery, Kurashiki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the main shrine roof renovation of Adaka Shrine, we are having the old company name engraved on the monument.

Conclusion

We introduced the history and present of a long-established company in its 76th year of operation.

In the president's office, there is a casually displayed signed paper from former Fagiano Okayama player Koudai Sano. He is a young striker from Tsuyama City who completely transferred from Fagiano Okayama to NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

It felt like the future of the new ArTechX.ing was overlapping with his.

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