August 8, 2006

(August 7, 2006)  Shigeo Ishida, President and CEO of JATCO Ltd, presented “Transmitting Powertrain Innovation” during the World Class Manufacturing Session on Monday, August 7.  In his presentation Mr. Ishida first discussed rapidly changing transmission technologies and described how JATCO was meeting this challenge.

Mr. Ishida then presented JATCO’s “flexible and simple solution” approach to transmission design, the CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission.  JATCO’s CVT design allows for optimized shift schedules and controls that easily communicate with the OEM vehicle systems.  Another design benefit is the slim profile which reduces weight and increases available engine compartment space (a plus for those OEMs looking at smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.)  An adaptable software interface allows JATCO to easily customize each CVT to an OEM’s specifications.  These combined elements make up the “flexible and simple solution” that allows JATCO to provide OEMs with CVTs tailored to their needs with less engineering time. 

Mr. Ishida also introduced JATCO’s newest facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico - the first JATCO manufacturing facility to be built outside of Japan.  Expected production at this facility will be 800,000 units per year. 

Mr. Ishida continued his presentation with a description of JATCO’s globalization techniques that utilizes JATCO engineering offices in different time zones in order to provide customers with “overnight calibration”.  JATCO’s global approach also uses 3D modeling and virtual testing, reducing new transmission design and development time. 

“We think the role of transmission supplier should be that of a powertrain concierge”, Mr. Ishida summarized.  By sharing the same values as the OEMs, JATCO is able to provide flexible and simple solutions for OEMs with global service.  In this way, JATCO will continue to contribute to the development of a globalized automotive industry.

JATCO Ltd is headquartered in Japan with engineering and sales offices in the US, France, Germany and Korea, and manufacturing facilities in Japan and Mexico. 

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