Abstract
RICOH mainly produces imaging products, industrial products and provide products, services and solutions to our customers. RICOH Group includes production sites in Japan,Europe,United States,China and the Asian region.Each site plays an important role.Sites located in Japan have the expanded role to fulfill the “Mother Function”of the RICOH Group sites. However, in execution of this function,we have identified some issues and challenges.To fully replete the role of the “Mother Function”, we must challenge the following items :
1.As the“Mother Function”,we must model the gemba (process and place)as the breeding ground for kaizen and innovation.
2.The gemba is the place we challenge new products and businesses and develop new production systems.
3.We must continually evaluate our talent and foster the development of our human resources in the Production Group.
4.In some cases,the personnel engaged in the Mother Function role currently possess a superficial knowledge of production information and tools globally deployed. However, a deep and wide grasp not only the information and tools are necessary,also the purpose,aim and focus of each is needed to fulfill the Mother Function role.Our human resources development is based on our rich heritage as a manufacturer as well as our mindset to be forward thinking emphasis on the value of breaking through on preconceptions.
