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.
The Hodogaya Chemical Group is committed to; understanding facts, assessing the facts, and acting based on facts to maintain a quality‑oriented principle and provide highly functional products and services with high added value to meet the trust and satisfaction of its customers.
To ensure customer satisfaction with respect to quality, the quality assurance activities relating to the products handled by the Hodogaya Chemical Group are divided into four systems by purpose at all stages, from planning and R&D to production and sales. We are working on quality assurance activities through the necessary screening, audit, and management systems required for each system, such as the creation of annual plans aimed at improving the level, and the reporting and discussion of results in RC/QM subcommittees. As a result, in FY2022 we achieved zero quality problems.
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.
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.
Hodogaya Chemical takes to heart the idea that “quality is the source of trust,” and from the perspective of clarifying related roles and responsibilities, the Company restructured the Environment and Safety & Quality Assurance Department into the Quality Assurance Department and Environment and Safety Department in October 2018 in order to strengthen quality management functions.
As part of these initiatives, Hodogaya Chemical newly established a Quality Day, and on that day, all group executives and employees gather together to read aloud the “Quality Pledge.” By doing so, we will raise awareness of improving quality and provide satisfaction to customers.
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. Furthermore, an overseas Group company, SFC CO., LTD. in South Korea, also obtained ISO certification from the South Korean certification body.
In 2017, the Group moved to the 2015 edition of the quality management system. In 2019, when the Hodogaya Chemical Group’s integrated certification was renewed, the scope was again expanded, and HODOGAYA CHEMICAL KOREA Co., LTD., an overseas research base, also obtained ISO certification. In 2022, when the certification expired, the Group was subject to a review for renewal, and the certification is now valid until October 2025.
Under a more stringent quality management system, the Hodogaya Chemical Group has united to undertake quality improvement activities.
| 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 |
Nanyo Plant
Maika Yoshino
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
Makoto Koike
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
Daisuke Taguchi
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
Miho Sasaki
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
Akemi Matsumoto
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.