Activities in fiscal year 2023

We will report on the initiatives undertaken for each objective set last spring.

[Development and Design] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Promote standardization of door handle parts and reduce unnecessary procurement.
→ Complete investigation of parts that can be standardized by the end of FY 2023.
《 2023 》
We have completed listing the products eligible for component standardization. In fiscal year 2024, we will proceed with sorting and assigning part numbers to these components.

■We aim to actively adopt materials with low environmental impact and develop products with single materials that are recyclable or have a structure that can be decomposed.
→ We develop products with a focus on circularity.
《 2023 》
We have released LAMOE and UNIMO, product series made from a single material, and a new series is also in development. As a new addition to the Archism line, we have also released door handles made from recycled denim.

■Protecting and promoting traditional techniques through the development of new products utilizing them.
→ The development of Romante that Union’s premium brand showcasing its manufacturing philosophy, and the publication of its catalog. As well as the use of events and social media to disseminate Union’s technology.
《 2023 》In development

■Strengthening the system for product information and sharing knowledge.
→ Achieve database management of surface treatments (FY 2023).
《 2023 》
Information has been organized. We are currently in the process of inputting data into the database, aiming for operational start in fiscal year 2024.

[Procurement and Logistics] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Realization of Green Procurement
→ Completion of policy explanation and current situation investigation to partner factories (FY 2023).
《 2023 》
Established and implemented a green procurement policy and a list of hazardous substances.

■Promotion of paperless initiatives
→ Switching to web-based operation for invoices and delivery notes in procurement.
《 2023 》
Completed the digitization of invoices.

[Operation] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
→ Encouraging the use of car sharing, public transportation, and electric assist bicycles.
→ Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and registration to SBT commitment in FY 2023.
→ In order to reduce emissions, the number of sales cars at the Osaka branch will be reduced to five in 2023.
They will be switched to shared cars and gradually changed to plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV). The same approach will be taken at the Tokyo branch, which is planned to be implemented by 2024.
《 2023 》
Reduced the number of company cars to five at the Osaka branch, with reductions ongoing at the Tokyo branch. We encourage the use of car-sharing, public transportation, and electric-assisted bicycles. We are continuously measuring and aiming to reduce electricity usage.

■The promotion of health management
→ Annual health checkups for all employees.
→ Application for Health and Productivity Management Excellent Companies 2024
《 2023 》
All employees continue to undergo annual health check-ups. Achieved certification as a 2023 Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization.

[Sales] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Reducing emissions during deliveries
→ Replace delivery vehicles with electric cars for route distribution.Install charging facilities at the distribution center and Union’s headquarters.
《 2023 》
Considering operational methods and costs, we have determined that it is currently difficult to fully implement, so we are also considering hybrid vehicles (HV).

■Promote streamlining of packaging specifications
→ Promotion of packaging two portable fire extinguisher cases in one package.
《 2023 》
We are considering methods to achieve this without inducing shipping errors.

[Disposal of products] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Selling discontinued products
→ Selling discontinued items through a select online shop.
《 2023 》
We have started selling through 4earth and salvage building materials.

■Promotion of Reuse for Returned Products, Parts, and Samples
→ Reusing fixed levers and lever bases (making sorting boxes)
《 2023 》
Sorting boxes have been installed at the Osaka and Tokyo branches. We have initiated operations to reuse items that can be reused.

■Initiatives for Repair Services
→ Posting on the website and catalogs and building a system for requesting repair services on the website.
《 2023 》
We have taken achievement photos and videos, finalized the design of our website, and plan to launch it in 2024.