STORIES2021/03/26
I want to help nurture from Wakayama people who support the battery industry.
UT Aim
Tomoya Ikezoe
PROFILE
Tomoya was born and raised in Kinokawa City and likes this homeland that is surrounded by mountains. He sometimes goes mountain climbing with his two daughters on weekends. "I was recently thrilled that my older girl, in the 6th grade, became the city's representative at an Ekiden (long-distance relay competition). I ran fast when I was a child, but now my daughter runs faster.”
Introduction
Tomoya once left the manufacturing job. But he couldn't forget the sense of accomplishment he felt when manufacturing products with his colleagues. So he joined UT Pabec(now UT Aim), which was engaged in manufacturing and outsourced work of battery products. Since then, Tomoya experienced various jobs in battery manufacturing and is now in a management position. What is he dreaming now?
Lithium-ion batteries are growing in demand. We are proud to manufacture the product so much a part of our times.
The batteries we produce here wind up in electric vehicles around the world. We are now engaged in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, which are rapidly growing in demand. In automotive applications, we are particularly focusing our efforts on quality control because it is directly linked to human life. In my division, I am responsible for the manufacture of small parts that act as safety valves inside the precision batteries. I work as a division manager with a staff of about 40, and I work closely with the clients to create a good work environment for my front-line personnel. There is a particular tension when we start manufacturing a new product type. Installation and adjustment of manufacturing facilities requires experience and know-how based on the worksite, and we are committed to ensuring stable operation through quality assurance. While the work tends not to go smoothly as we wish, the members of my division have high skills and work with a great team spirit. We even received an award from the client company for achieving stable operation early. I am a bit surprised and was even happier when my subordinates achieved the goals than when I did so. I personally always make sure to say “Thank you” to the people in the manufacturing floor who create value.
It was worth the effort. I feel so pleased that I can say so now.
In my late twenties, I once left manufacturing. But I later realized that I liked manufacturing workplaces, where I felt a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day when the team turned out the target production volume. My wife also encouraged me and I joined UT Pabec. I was 33 years old. At first, I was engaged in the assembly process of the lithium-ion battery, working a shift, and learning how the process goes and how to control quality. After that, I went to work at a business office in Shizuoka Prefecture, away from my family, and was involved in lead-acid batteries. After several months at the plant in Hyogo Prefecture, I returned to Wakayama. As a different type and product of the batteries completely changes a type of monozukuri, this experience I broadened my perspective. The fact that I have experienced various worksites is helping me in my current management job. During the period I worked away from my family, my wife had a lot of trouble because our two children were young. At present, I talk with my wife that it was worth the effort because I now have a good job and also have time with my family. My dream is to have people who grew up in Wakayama be active at other business sites to support the development of the battery industry. I am therefore making efforts at development of human resources. I want to draw out abilities of my team members, while being conscious of their family members.
