Daifuku Begins Renovations of Shiga Works to Increase Production Capacity and Improve Logistics Efficiency
Construction begins on two new factory buildings: one for semiconductor and LCD production line systems, the other for manufacturing and distribution systems
Osaka, Japan—Daifuku Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) has begun renovations of its core production base Shiga Works (Shiga, Japan), to raise production capacity and optimize plant logistics. The Company recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the two new factory buildings (hereinafter “Building G” and “Building M”).
Capital investment in material handling continues to be strong, particularly in the e-commerce and semiconductor industries, and production volume at Shiga Works has increased to meet this demand. As the number of off-site warehouses for parts and product storage grew, logistics efficiency suffered. To address this, the Company will invest approximately 33 billion yen through 2028 to improve logistics efficiency by integrating off-site warehouses within the facility, expand production capacity at Shiga Works by 1.4 times, and ensure business continuity planning (BCP) by upgrading aging facilities.
Building G will house a cleanroom to consolidate development and manufacturing operations of storage and transport systems for semiconductor and LCD production lines. Previously, these operations were dispersed throughout the plant. Building M will serve as a parts center to manage maintenance parts used to provide after-sales service for manufacturing and distribution systems, as well as manufacture automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and assemble conveyor systems. In addition, the Company is actively introducing renewable energy at its production facilities, and plans to install solar power systems on both buildings.
The Company acquired the 1.2 million m2 site on which Shiga Works is constructed in 1970. This will be the first large-scale development project at the plant in 18 years, since the completion of Building K and Building L in 2006.
Yasuhisa Mishina, General Manager of Shiga Works, Chief Production Officer, and Senior Managing Officer at Daifuku Co., Ltd., commented:
“At the Daifuku Group, we have been improving our production framework to meet the needs of our customers. With the renovations at Shiga Works, we will further improve our productivity and logistics efficiency, building a strong foundation for Daifuku’s long-term growth.”
General overview of the two plant buildings
| Name | Building G | Building M |
|---|---|---|
| Building area | 19,600m2 | 17,200m2 |
| Total floor area | 21,300m2 (plant: 17,800m2, office: 3,500m2) |
19,900m2 (plant: 16,500m2, office and cafeteria: 3,400m2) |
| Primary functions | Develops and manufactures storage and transport systems for semiconductor and LCD production lines | Serves as a parts center to manage maintenance parts used to provide after-sales service for manufacturing and distribution systems, manufactures automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and assembles conveyor systems |
| Construction begins | April 2024 | April 2024 |
| Construction ends (planned) | Within 2025 | May 2025 |
| Eco-friendly features | Solar power systems | Solar power systems |