Image Credits: Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Japan’s tire and rubber manufacturer, Sumitomo Rubber Industries aims to standardise and streamline manufacturing operations globally, integrating business and production data for enhancing operations.
It aims to address challenges including rising material costs, labor shortages, and the complexities of high-mix, low-volume production by implementing an efficient digital system.
The company has selected Rockwell Automation for digitisation.
Sumitomo will deploy Rockwell’s FactoryTalk ProductionCentre, a manufacturing execution system (MES) platform, to integrate and standardise business and production data.
Deployment will begin at the company’s Shirakawa plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
After evaluation, it will expand to other plants worldwide.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ executive officer and the tire manufacturing headquarters general manager, Kenji Saito, said this would enable the company to standardise manufacturing management and enhance operational efficiency globally, and driving growth.
Based on the mid-term management vision, the new system will be deployed beginning with the domestic plant, Saito added.
According to the company, to enhance integration with its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, it chose Rockwell’s FactoryTalk ProductionCentre for its compatibility with existing systems.
Rockwell Automation’s vice president, global Industry auto, tire and advanced mobility, James Glasson, said the initiative will enhance operating efficiency, minimise manufacturing risks, reduce implementation costs, and help accelerate speed to market.
Sumitomo Rubber aims to strengthen organisational structure through this digital initiative by 2025.
From 2026 onward, the company plans to expand digital transformation practices to adapt to an evolving business environment.
With MES templates tailored to tire manufacturing, the solution optimises complex production processes, scales operations, reduces downtime, and enhances speed and quality.