Last Updated: 2009.03.02
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Shanghai Office established for management of production sites
The Shanghai Office was established in 1999 to oversee our production sites in China. The Shanghai Office opened with only three staff, including a manager. As of 2008, about 120 staff persons are assigned to this office in central Shanghai. Most work in the office on Monday and Friday and visit their assigned factories Tuesday through Thursday to confirm delivery performance and quality on site.
Most Shanghai Office staff work Monday and Friday in the office and Tuesday to Thursday visit their assigned factories
UNIQLO’s production and quality are upheld by its takumi with their experience and mastery
UNIQLO has had an established Takumi Team since 2000 and dispatches Takumi, expert artisans with over thirty years experience in Japan’s textile industry, to each factory. Well-seasoned experts are just as indispensable for ensuring quality and safety control as having the right equipment and systems. The Takumi are entrusted with a broad range of roles and responsibilities as well as with controlling safety measures, from checking folds, dye, sewing, texture and finish to sample checking.
Takumi for materials
Many factories that had improved safety and reliability by manufacturing UNIQLO products are now winning orders from other companies. This means UNIQLO’s approach is helping to advance the overall safety and reliability of China’s textile industry. Even in Japan, however, the number of available experts is falling as they age out of the workforce. So our next task is to ensure that Japan’s unique and exacting skills are passed on to a new generation.
Kazuaki Iida, Chief Takumi, Takumi Team (Shanghai), Production Technology Department,
Shanghai Office, UNIQLO CO., LTD.
Joined the company in 2000; previously worked for dyeing and textile companies with
responsibility for setting up overseas dyeing factories and providing technical assistance to
overseas companies.
Takumi for sewing
At the very least, we must guarantee product safety to our customers. We therefore constantly review and improve our systems. These ongoing practices are only possible because of the relationships of trust we have established through sound material procurement contracts and controlling production as agreed; we never take advantage of our position as a company that procures massive quantities of raw materials and orders high-volume production.
Takahiro Shiraishi, Takumi, Takumi Team (Shanghai), Production Technology Department,
Shanghai Office, UNIQLO CO., LTD.
Joined the company in 2005; previously worked for a major apparel maker; has developed a
needle identification mechanism and an improved needle detector at UNIQLO.
Flow of investigation and response to occurrence of product flaw
In the rare event a customer discovers a flaw, the Tokyo Headquarters and local office are able to instantly identify the factory of origin for the product in question. This system enables us to quickly address root causes and disclose relevant information to the public and therefore plays a central role in ensuring the production of safe products.
