Hiring More People with Disabilities

Daikin Sunrise Settsu

We value our relationship with the community and are taking steps to ensure we remain a trusted name in the business world. For example, providing employment for people with disabilities is a significant issue in today's workplace; we are addressing this issue by proactively hiring employees with disabilities.

Daikin Sunrise Settsu is a public-private partnership (51% owned by Daikin) established by Daikin in 1993 in Settsu, Osaka to promote the hiring of people with physical disabilities. Its main lines of business are the machining and assembly of pumps, distribution valves, hydraulic device parts, and air conditioner parts for automated lubrication systems used in construction; production of Demnum grease and other chemical products; and computer assisted design and inputting of data. Daikin Sunrise has 68 employees: five non-disabled support staff and 63 with disabilities related walking difficulty, hearing and vision impairment, and mental and psychological challenges. The plant has established a special work environment that enables people with disabilities to perform all the work on their own and in teams. The company has operated profitably since 1995, its third year of operation. In the spirit of its name "Sunrise," Daikin Sunrise Settsu provides a lively and friendly workplace in which all can work with dignity.

In June 2009, Dakin Sunrise Settsu's new plant was established, another step in hiring more disabled. The duties of these employees have also expanded from machine parts processing and assembly, and the manufacture of chemicals, to computer assisted design and the publication of documents.

The Slogans of Daikin Sunrise Settsu

External Awards

Daikin Named Certified Disabled Training Center in Shanghai

Using the experience of Daikin Sunrise Settsu in Japan, Daikin Air Conditioning Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has expanded its hiring of the disabled. Companies in Shanghai must have disabled account for at least 1.6% of their workforce. As of the end of March 2009, Daikin Shanghai had 55 disabled employees working on lines and in offices, accounting for 6.6% of all employees.

In July 2006, the Shanghai Federation for the Handicapped certified the company as a vocational training center for the handicapped.

In 2005, Daikin Shanghai established a product packaging assembly line operated by the many disabled the company hired that year. This line was separated from the current production line in order to ensure the safety of the workers. As the company improved its work environment and these employees gradually improved their skills, they began working more and more with other employees. And like all other employees, the disabled are compensated based on an evaluation of their performance.

Building Trust with Communities

A Safe Plant Open to the Community

The Daikin Group does all it can to make its plants safe so that nearby residents can live in peace of mind.

In particular, we make safety a top priority at the Yodogawa Plant, a chemical production facility located in a residential area. Through risk assessment in environmental protection, security and disaster prevention, and logistics safety, we work to eliminate the potential causes of accidents that may affect the local community. We are also in constant and close contact with local residents associations. Disaster prevention drills are held three times a year in cooperation with local authorities, and we report the results of our emergency response to the related parties as well as the head of the local residents association. We also have regular tours for local residents to gain their understanding and trust. Afterward, we hold discussions to get their opinions and ideas on our plant.

At the Soka Station, Daikin works towards safety and peace of mind for residents through activities with the local traffic safety association and crime prevention association.

For details, see Occupational Safety and Health

Disaster Relief and Disaster Prevention Drills

The Daikin Group has measures in place should there ever be a natural disaster. Besides providing its factories as evacuation shelters in the event of a disaster, Daikin companies have supplies of food, water, and emergency equipment. At the Yodogawa Plant, we think of ways to effectively use fire engines and emergency equipment. The Shiga Plant has prepared for earthquakes by checking the earthquake-resistance of all facilities and is systematically reinforcing them.

The Soka Station, Soka City, and five neighboring communities signed an agreement to cooperate in preparing for natural disasters, in which all parties come up with measures to implement immediately following a major earthquake. Currently, all parties are conducting early-stage simulations of a disaster by creating systems for the 24-hour operation of evacuation shelters and the distribution of supplies. The system is set to be ready in April 2010.

An expert panel of the Central Disaster Management Council of the Cabinet Office recognized the Soka Station as an outstanding example of a corporation acting as a bridge between local citizens and local government in supporting disaster relief. It was also cited as an example at a United Nations conference on international disaster strategy.

Exchanges with Local Communities in Japan

Exchanges with Local Communities

As a member of the community, Daikin values its contacts with local residents. In 1973, Daikin became one of the first companies to contribute to greater community interaction by creating a Local Community Section within its organization. As a good corporate citizen, we intend to interact and grow with the community to promote closer human contact and personal enrichment.

Annual Summer Bon Dance Event

The Daikin-sponsored Noryosai Bon dance event is a poetic summer highlight that takes place along the Yodogawa River. It attracts large numbers of visitors who enjoy the food stalls, circle dances, fireworks illuminating the night sky, and the traditional hand-carried festival mikoshi shrines.

In 1971, an event initially planned as a social event for young employees of our Yodogawa Plant expanded into a program open to the community. It eventually grew to encompass the entire area. Initially attracting about 6,000 participants, it was run entirely by our employees and was intended to foster good relations with people of the region. Today, the event attracts 25,000 participants and has evolved into one of Japan's largest corporate-sponsored Bon dance events. It is now established as a much-anticipated major summer event in the region. It has also spread overseas: employees at our bases in the United States (Daikin America), China (Daikin Shanghai), and Belgium (Daikin Europe) organize Bon dance events for locals.

At Daikin Europe, members of the Japanese taiko (drum) team delighted about 2,000 locals with a spirited performance of this traditional art. The Decatur Plant of Daikin America in Alabama holds a festival intended to introduce more people to Japanese culture. For this event, the plant distributes specially designed traditional Japanese happi coats (anglicized as "happy coats"). Participants also enjoy the food stalls selling delicacies such as yakisoba and takoyaki. Now a major event attracting 10,000 visitors, the festival gains in popularity every year thanks to its friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

By introducing people to Bon dance and other interesting and fun aspects of Japanese culture, such events help residents near Daikin bases understand our corporate culture and philosophy.

Rugby School

"All for one, and one for all." This indomitable spirit, typical of rugby players, carries lessons that Daikin seeks to impart to children. With this in mind, Daikin, the City of Sakai, the Sakai Higashi Police Department, Seikeikai Hospital, and Nippon Steel collaborated in 1987 to launch Sakai Rugby School. Daikin is in charge of the playing field and secretariat. At the three monthly practices, the children's cheering reflects discipline combined with fun. The Sakai Rugby School is among the toughest competitors in its games against other schools.

Kendo Training Hall for Children

The Kendo Training Hall for Children opened in 1975 for elementary school children living near the Yodogawa Plant. The goal of the school is to promote health through the martial art of kendo. Daikin employees who hold kendo rankings (dan) provide the instruction. When the school opened, expectations were exceeded when 108 children applied. Clearly, the school has been well received by local residents.

In 1983, a new school —more than double the size of the original— was completed. Named "Yushinkan" by then-president Minoru Yamada, the school has since helped many young local kendo enthusiasts gain skills in this outstanding sport. Excited young voices can often be heard within its walls.

Daikin Bases Take Part in Local Cleanups

The Daikin plants at Yodogawa, Shiga, Sakai, and Kashima pick up litter and weed green areas in neighboring communities. These activities are held regularly: once a month at the Yodogawa Plant and four times a year at the Shiga Plant. The goal is to create a clean, beautiful environment while earning a reputation as a safe and trusted member of the community.

At Daikin Air-Conditioning (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., about 700 employees take part in cleanups around the site held on the 18th of each month.

Exchanges with Local Communities in Overseas

China: Aiming to Take Root in China

On the occasion of the Daikin Group's 10th anniversary of business in China in 2005, full-fledged social contribution activities were begun in earnest with the aim of making Daikin a locally rooted company. Daikin aims to contribute in the three areas of social welfare, education, and environment.

Examples of Contributions

Czech Republic: Supporting Employment for Unemployed Minorities

In May 2008, Daikin Device Czech Republic s.r.o. held a work-support seminar for unemployed minorities. The company gave advice on job interviews and explained its human resource systems. It will continue to work on solving a variety of social issues.

Singapore: Participation in a Charity Marathon

Daikin Air Conditioning Singapore takes part in a charity marathon sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Executives from environmentally conscious corporations join this event and the participation fees are donated to six environmental NGOs. In 2008, the company president and three other board members took part.

The marathon course goes through the Semakau landfill in which 1,500 tons of incinerator ash and 500 tons of non-burnable garbage are buried every day. The landfill is built to ensure that the surrounding water resources are not polluted, and in the future it will form a single island.

Charitable Activities

Donating to a Range of Causes

The Daikin Group donates money to numerous arts, culture, sports, and educational programs as part of its social contribution efforts. The diagram below shows Daikin's donations in fiscal year 2008.

Donations in FY 2008

Supporting Recovery after the Sichuan Earthquake

Daikin Group companies in China, along with Daikin Industries, aided the victims and contributed to regional recovery after the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Total donations were approximately 50 million yen and consisted of donations from the companies and their employees, as well as air conditioners for public facilities.

The labor union of Daikin Air-Conditioning (Shanghai) also donated 840 books and stationery items to students and other citizens in the earthquake-stricken areas.