HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's Award (Manufacturing and Production Process Category) at the 5th Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award ceremony, for the merit of Mazda's "Monotsukuri Innovation" which revolutionized manufacturing ideas in the automotive industry.

Mazda's Monotsukuri Innovation is a company-wide structural reform activity, the scope of which cuts across not just production processes but also R&D and purchasing as well. Mazda's Monotsukuri Innovation was launched in 2006, and has since achieved over a 30 percent improvement in development efficiency while streamlining production facility and tooling investment by over 20 percent. This activity enabled the efficient development of high-quality products brought to market in a timely manner. It also helped the company attain a highly efficient production system which can adapt to changing market conditions such as a sudden change of popular selling products. Substantial benefits are realized not just for the products with SKYACTIV technology but also for the overall business as well.

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's Awards (Manufacturing and Production Process Category) acknowledge individuals or groups who have created a production revolution through the introduction and development of ground-breaking systems or techniques in manufacturing or production processes. This is the first time for Mazda to receive the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's Award (Manufacturing and Production Process Category.)

Outline of the Award

Awarded Achievement:
Mazda's Monotsukuri Innovation manufacturing process that revolutionized manufacturing and process ideas in the automotive industry

Recipients of the award (all from Mazda Motor Corporation):

• Note: Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Awards are commendations from the Prime Minister which were established with the goal of furthering the ambitions of the talented people who support monodzukuri and informing society about their existence, in order to develop and pass on the monodzukuri that has supported Japan's industry and culture to future generations. Through the cooperation of four ministries - the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare; and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism - the awards are held every two years and were initiated in 2005.