[Nichirei Foods Co., Ltd.] Introduced a unique digital form system “NDPS” as part of the smart factory. Achieved a paperless production factory and improved operational efficiency. Nichirei Foods Co., Ltd. Press release: October 23, 2024 As part of the smart factory, we have introduced our own digital form system “NDPS”. Achieved a paperless production factory and improved operational efficiency. Nichirei Foods Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Masahiko Takenaga, hereinafter referred to as “Nichirei Foods”) has installed a unique digital form system, “NDPS (Nichirei Digital Paperwork System)” (hereinafter referred to as ” NDPS”) has been introduced to eliminate paper forms used at production sites, leading to improved operational efficiency. Image
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In April 2023, with the start of operations at the Qurei Third Factory in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, we became the first Nichirei Foods Group to introduce our unique digital accounting system, NDPS. As a result, we have completely digitized paper inspection record forms, achieving a reduction in paper usage of approximately 28,000 sheets per year. This has improved work efficiency by reducing work such as printing forms, distributing them to production lines, and aggregating and checking after recording, which used to take more than 1 hour and 30 minutes per day and more than 300 hours per year. In addition, “NDPS” mainly works in conjunction with two existing proprietary systems to promote DX in factories. The first is linkage with the “optimal production/personnel planning system.” Utilizing AI, it is now possible to automatically output the necessary forms to the necessary terminals in conjunction with the automatically drawn up production plan, which is effective in preventing human errors. The second is collaboration with the unique production support system “PAS (Production Assistance System)” that digitizes the flow of raw materials and processing records in each process, as well as factory-installed cameras and production equipment management systems. This enables real-time data management with remote monitoring and enhanced tracing capabilities. It also eliminates the need to patrol the production line, leading to a system that can quickly grasp the situation in the event of a problem. Nichirei Foods has named it the Smart Factory and aims to “save labor and reduce waste through the use of AI and robotics,” “save labor and de-individualize through the use of standardization and IT systems,” and “speed up the improvement cycle through the use of data.” That’s what I’m aiming for. As part of this effort, we will promote the DX transformation of our production factories by introducing NDPS.