Activities in fiscal year 2024

We report on the initiatives undertaken for each objective set, outlining our efforts during fiscal year 2024.

[Development and Design] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Promoting the standardization of door handle components to reduce unnecessary procurement
→ Investigation of components eligible for standardization completed in fiscal year 2023
《 2024 》
Sorting and assignment of part numbers have been completed.

■Actively adopting environmentally friendly materials and developing products made from recyclable single materials or with disassemblable structures
→ Product development based on the theme of circularity
《 2024 》
Development of a new single-material series and release of products made from natural wood.

■Protecting and promoting technology through new product development utilizing traditional techniques
→ Development of Romante, Union’s highest-end brand that embodies our craftsmanship philosophy, along with the publication of a catalog and the dissemination of techniques through events and social media
《 2024 》
Development of new products incorporating traditional craftsmanship and the launch of Romante, a premium brand showcasing Japanese techniques, in New York.

■Enhancing systems for product information and sharing technical know-how
→ Database management of surface treatments achieved (FY 2023)
《 2024 》
Information organization has been completed, and a list is currently being prepared for the release of evaluation test data.

[Procurement and Logistics] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Implementing Green Procurement
→ Completed policy briefings for partner factories and surveys of current conditions (FY 2023)
Green procurement refers to a procurement approach that aims to make environmentally conscious choices throughout the process of sourcing products and services. It is an important initiative for companies to reduce environmental impact and fulfill their social responsibilities.
《 2024 》
Established and implemented Green Procurement Guidelines.
Currently preparing a target list to expand the hazardous substances list.

■Promoting Paperless Operations
→ Transitioned invoices and delivery notes related to procurement to web-based operations
《 2024 》
Completed the digitization of invoices.
Discontinued the use of paper New Year’s cards.

[Operation] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
→ Encouraging the use of car-sharing services, public transportation, and electric-assisted bicycles
→ Measuring greenhouse gas emissions and registering a commitment to the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative (FY 2023)
→ Reduced the number of company vehicles at the Osaka branch to five in FY 2023 to lower emissions; vehicles are shared and will be gradually replaced with PHVs. Implementation at the Tokyo branch is planned by FY 2024.
《 2024 》
Joined the “RE100 Action.” Starting in December 2024, electricity at the Osaka headquarters and Nagoya sales office was switched to renewable energy.
Achieved a 76% reduction in annual CO₂ emissions.

■Promoting Health and Productivity Management
→ Annual health checkups for all employees
→ Application for Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2024
《 2024 》
Annual health checkups for all employees continued.
Certified as a Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2024.
Introduced the “Vitality” program to promote employee health.

[Sales] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Reducing Emissions During Delivery
→ Switched route delivery vehicles to EVs and installed charging facilities at the distribution center and Union headquarters
《 2024 》
After considering operational methods and costs, we determined that implementation is currently challenging.
We are exploring alternative approaches to reduce environmental impact.

■Promoting Efficient Packaging Specifications
→ Promoting two-unit packaging for freestanding fire extinguisher cases
《 2024 》
We are examining methods to achieve this without increasing the risk of shipping errors.

[Disposal of products] Goals and Specific Initiatives

■Sales of Discontinued Products
→ Selling discontinued items through a curated online shop
《 2024 》
Continued sales through 4earth and Salvaged Building Materials platforms.

■Promoting Reuse of Returned Products, Parts, and Samples
→ Reuse of riveted levers of returnable quality and restocking of lever bases (creation of sorting boxes)
《 2024 》
Sorting boxes have been installed at the Osaka and Tokyo branches, and operations to reuse eligible items are ongoing

■Repair Service Initiatives
→ Publication on the website and in catalogs, and establishment of a system allowing repair requests via the website
《 2024 》
Performance cases were documented, and the repair service website was launched.