Quality Assurance


Basic approach

The Hodogaya Chemical Group’s quality policy is commitment to quality‑first, quality from our customer’s perspective. The aim is to meet the demands of our customers and partner companies through our products, commercial goods, and OEM products, through which we contribute to society and business growth.

Initiatives for quality assurance

The Hodogaya Chemical Group practices quality assurance activities in accordance with the “RC Basic Philosophy” and “RC Basic Policy.”
By carefully grasping facts, judging from facts, and acting based on facts, we can thoroughly implement a quality-focused mindset and provide high-function, high-value-added products and services that meet our customers’ trust and satisfaction.
To guarantee customer satisfaction with quality, we have divided quality assurance activities related to products handled by the Hodogaya Chemical Group into four systems by purpose, covering all stages from planning, research and development, production, to sales. We engage in quality assurance activities through necessary reviews, audits, and management systems appropriate for each system, such as creating annual plans aimed at improvement and reporting and discussing results in the RC and QM subcommittees. We are working to raise employees’ compliance awareness regarding quality through planned and continuous quality education.
November of each year is Quality Month, and during the month we hold the All Company QC Presentation Meeting for the whole Hodogaya Chemical Group. We continue to manage and improve the quality of products, services, work, and other elements through QC circle activities. We tie the results of these circle activities to personal development, mutual development, and workplace vitalization by having reports and Q&A sessions at the All Company QC Presentation Meetings.

●Four quality assurance activity system
  1. (1) Quality assurance activity system from the planning stage to stable production of products
  2. (2) Quality assurance activity system for the steady production operation of products
  3. (3) Quality assurance activity system for commercial goods and OEM products
  4. (4) Activity system to review the quality assurance activities
Quality Day

November has traditionally been Quality Improvement Month at Hodogaya Chemical, and the Company has generally designated the third Friday of November as Quality Day since 2020 so as to further improve quality management. This was triggered by the organizational restructuring in October 2018, where the Quality Assurance Department was separated from the Environment and Safety & Quality Assurance Department to establish a new department responsible for quality assurance activities, based on the Hodogaya Chemical Group’s belief that “quality is the source of trust” and to improve quality management functions and clarify their roles and responsibilities. Quality Day is an activity where all officers and employees of the Hodogaya Chemical Group gather to recite the Quality Pledge, share recognition of quality maintenance, improvement, and compliance, and lead to customer satisfaction.


Quality Management System (ISO 9001)

Today, corporate quality management system with international quality and standards has come to be recognized as the norm.
Each of the Hodogaya Chemical offices has acquired ISO 9001 certifications, the international standards for quality and environmental management systems, respectively. Then in 2010, the Group integrated the individual management systems of each office and successfully achieved an integrated certification as the Hodogaya Chemical Group that also certified the Group’s affiliated companies and subcontracting companies.
In 2019, the scope of certification was expanded to include HODOGAYA CHEMICAL KOREA Co., LTD., an overseas research base.
Korean group companies SFC CO., LTD. and REXCEL CO., LTD. also obtained ISO certification.
In order to effectively meet market requirements, we take great care regarding the quality of products and services, and in order to improve customer satisfaction, we continue to operate an effective quality management system. Accordingly, one measure we have taken is to increase the number of internal auditors and improve their competence and conduct ISO internal auditor education with external lecturers in addition to in-house education.
The Hodogaya Chemical Group will continue to be unified in its activities to improve quality.

ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems
Certification body Japan Chemical
Quality Assurance
Registration no. JCQA‑0184
Compatible standards JIS Q 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015
Date of acquisition December 25, 1996
Voice

Nanyo Plant

M.Y

My Duty to Protect: Hodogaya Brand

Quality inspection work covers a wide range of tasks, including inspections of raw materials and products based on prescribed test methods, the issuance of test reports, the maintenance and management of inspection equipment as well as the storage of records.
Of all these tasks, the one that I am particularly mindful of in my eighth year with the Company is always to conduct product inspections from the customer’s point of view, so that they are able to purchase Hodogaya Chemical products with peace of mind. So that I am able to quickly notice any minor differences and changes in inspection values, I carefully check the product status and inspection values on a regular basis. Also, when a question comes up with regard to the maintenance and how to handle the inspection equipment, I always try to find the answer by doing my own research or by seeking advice from someone with a lot more experience.
To continue to protect the quality of the Hodogaya brand in the years to come, I would like to fulfill my role as the last bastion of quality management in a responsible manner.


Quality Assurance Department

M.K

Aiming to establish a “true Hodogaya brand”

The Quality Assurance Department strengthens the quality control and assurance system of the Hodogaya Chemical Group, focuses on “quality from the customer’s perspective”, and aims to establish the “true Hodogaya brand.” We will strive to “eliminate quality complaints” by always maintaining close cooperation with plants and business divisions and strengthening activities with a focus on prevention.
As part of these initiatives, every year, the company observes a day called “Quality Day” to maintain and improve awareness on quality compliance. All personnel gather together to read aloud the “Quality Pledge” and demonstrate the Hodogaya Chemical Group’s commitment to maintaining quality. By doing so, we will continue to make efforts to establish the “true Hodobrand” in the future.


Yokohama Plant

D.T

Hodogaya Chemical products…

The phrase “Hodogaya Chemical products are quality products” has two meanings.
This first one is the literal meaning that the products are quality products, but the second one is that customers can trust the Hodogaya Chemical brand. At plants, we always safely manufacture products that possess the quality promised to customers and build and protect the trust we have with customers.
I am involved in operations related to the development and quality inspections of dyes.
In recent years, there are greater calls for dyes that not only have certain specs but are also safer, and in the Development Department, we are working to develop products using safer substances.
I would like to continue to develop new quality, safe products that satisfy customers and confirm product quality through inspection operations and thus build and maintain trust so that it is said “Hodogaya Chemical products are quality products.”


Accounting Department

M.S

The first step toward improvement

The role of the plant is to produce high-quality products and provide such products after making sure that they meet the required quality, thereby meeting the trust and satisfaction of customers.
The main job of the Quality Assurance Group is to check the quality of incoming raw materials and products being shipped. We also check the description of items on the test results that accompany the products in everyday shipments. I get nervous every time, but I want to keep in mind the original mindset so as not to ship out any products that have the wrong quality.
We conduct quality assurance-related education throughout the year. I am hoping to focus on the importance of the standard operating procedures which stipulate the procedures of human movement and machine operation as best practice under the current situation so as to ensure the same results regardless of who handles the task.


Group Leader of Quality Assurance Group of Nanyo Plant

A.M

Quality assurance of plants

The role of the plant is to produce high-quality products and provide such products after making sure that they meet the required quality, thereby meeting the trust and satisfaction of customers.
The main job of the Quality Assurance Group is to check the quality of incoming raw materials and products being shipped. We also check the description of items on the test results that accompany the products in everyday shipments. I get nervous every time, but I want to keep in mind the original mindset so as not to ship out any products that have the wrong quality.
We conduct quality assurance-related education throughout the year. I am hoping to focus on the importance of the standard operating procedures which stipulate the procedures of human movement and machine operation as best practice under the current situation so as to ensure the same results regardless of who handles the task.