Meidensha Corporation (Meiden) has won the KAIKA Prize from the Japan Management Association (JMA) for its “Meidensha Monozukuri Kyoshitsu (Meidensha Workshop on Manufacturing),” a program for primary school students.

Meiden has offered the program at its five major operation hubs for the past 10 years as part of the company’s activities to contribute to the well-being of society. The KAIKA Prize is the second-highest prize in KAIKA Awards 2017 following the Grand Prize.

JMA, a management-related general incorporated foundation, gives out the KAIKA Awards in recognition of programs that employ sustainable management and organization-building for creating social values. Applications for the awards were screened based on the following criteria: Whether a program has the potential to continue or develop; whether it is powerful, new and original; and whether it is Influential and conducive to change. Also considered are whether the program has social significance and values, is conducive to change in awareness and various relationships, and promotes individual growth and organizational power.

Meidensha Monozukuri Kyoshitsu marked the 110th anniversary of the company’s founding in 2007, with the aim of expressing gratitude to local communities for their support. The program has been conducted in collaboration with Core-Net, a non-profit organization. With the workshop, Meiden aims to fulfill its corporate responsibility as a creator of groundbreaking products since its inception by teaching sixth-grade students the joy of manufacturing and spurring their interest in manufacturing through first-hand experience. The workshop participants engage in craftwork using a motor, the kind of basic technology Meiden excels in, and can play with their finished products.

In the past 10 years, a total of 8,600 students from 135 schools have participated in the workshop. Meiden employees serve as instructors in the workshop, which also offers the employees an opportunity to learn while teaching children.

Meiden, whose corporate mission is expressed in its slogan, “Illuminating a more affluent tomorrow,” will continue activities to pass on the “manufacturing spirit” to future generations. 

   

 

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