Following a data-overwriting incident that occurred last year at its subsidiary Toray Hybrid Cord, Inc. (head office: Nishio-shi, Aichi, President: Masahiro Aoki, hereinafter referred to as “THC”), Toray Industries, Inc. (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Akihiro Nikkaku, hereinafter referred to as “Toray”) undertook a mass investigation into the accuracy of the Toray Group’s product quality data.
This investigation was conducted via a survey of 9,727 employees, managers and supervisors who handle product quality data. The survey questions were broad, asking whether the person had ever been aware of problems relating to product quality data, what should be done to prevent the improper handling of such data, and what could be improved about their everyday work practices that involving product quality data. Where answers to the survey were unclear, Toray made a further investigation, seeking more detailed explanations, checking data and conducting hearings. As a result of this thorough inquiry, Toray confirmed that there were no legal violations, no safety issues related to products sold by Toray and no incidents requiring public disclosure.
As with the original THC incident, Toray commissioned an Expert Committee to review the adequacy of the investigation’s contents, results, and the implementation of response measures. Having considered investigation materials, detailed explanations from Toray and interviews with related parties, the Expert Committee concluded that Toray’s investigation was appropriate (Please refer to the attached Expert Committee’s Meeting Minutes in Japanese).
From the investigation results, Toray identified that it needs to (1) strengthen compliance systems related to product quality assurance; (2) improve maintenance of data management systems; (3) review product quality standards; and (4) improve the maintenance of measurement equipment. Toray is taking appropriate measures in response to these issues. Toray has already appointed a board member (General Manager, Product Quality Assurance Division) responsible for all product quality assurance operations throughout the Toray Group. Toray has also established a Product Quality Assurance Division and under this new system is working to ensure the effective functioning of all Toray Group product quality assurance operations. By promoting the automation of data measurement and working regularly with customers to adjust product quality standards, Toray will improve the reliability of its quality assurances. In the event a problem arises, Toray will communicate quickly and accurately with customers to resolve the issue.
Ensuring product quality is vitally important to Toray’s business, and Toray people must be aware of their quality assurance compliance obligations. To this end, Toray is enhancing its quality assurance compliance education for all Toray Group employees who handle product quality data, including executives and managers. Toray will develop systems and frameworks to prevent pressure on employees involved in product quality assurance and foster a workplace culture of integrity that is able to prevent the occurrence of misconduct.
Further, Toray will regularly report its progress in implementing the above measures to its Board of Corporate Auditors and Board of Directors to ensure the exercise of strong corporate governance.
“Corporate ethics and fairness” is one of the top management priorities of the Toray Group, and we will continue to ensure that this is understood by all Toray people. Toray will strive to carry out appropriate trading activities based on the ideal of free, fair and transparent market competition, and conduct its business activities in a way that earns the trust of society.
We must make sure we know what is right, and be conscious of whether we and those around us are doing the right thing. By doing so, we heighten our own value, as well as that of our workplace, product and company. This is how we at Toray will continue to contribute to society. “Have the integrity to do the right thing in the right way” is the spirit that the Toray Group and all its members will continue to embrace in our ongoing business activities.
