by Chawit Chaijirawiwat, Thailand, GSEP student 2016
February 24, 2017 was the 2nd day of our 3-days field trip in Kansai Area. We left the hotel at 9 AM and traveled to Torishima Pump Mfg. Co., Ltd, a giant pump manufacturer, located near Settsu-tonda station, Osaka. We were warmly welcomed by Torishima’s staff.
At first, we got some brief explanation about the company’s background in a seminar room. Torishima Pump, established in 1919, has a long history. It was founded in Osaka and started its production from manufacturing a simple single-stage single-suction turbine pump. In the years that followed, it developed and expanded its production capacity to various kinds of centrifugal pumps and mechanical seals along with other pump’s components. Currently, it has a service-factories network all around the world with various customers from different industries. Torishima was involved in many mega pump projects such as inside power plants, desalination plants, and other construction sites.
After the brief introduction, they gave us a lecture about some basic knowledge of pump. We learned about many types of pumps and their astonishing capability. We also learned about the main components and functions of a centrifugal pump, such as casing (to contain the fluid), impeller (to increase the pressure of fluid by centrifugal force), shaft (to support the rotating impeller) and shaft seal (to minimize leakage). Moreover, we also given further information about the mechanical seal.
We had a question and answer session about the company and pump after the lecture. Many of us asked about the works and projects done by Torishima, which made us understand more about the procedure of manufacturing and its working environment. This also made me realized that cooperation and communication skills are essential to the company’s success. Language and communications skill can be useful when dealing with customers.
After the Q&A session, we were given a quick tour inside the factory. It was during working hours when we entered. On the way to the factory, we had a chance to see many employees were working on their desk.
In the factory, we witnessed the process of making the components of the pump. Thanks to the earlier briefing, I could understand each procedure being conducted. For example, as explained in the presentation, every part of pump has to be precise and checked carefully. At the testing section, I came to know how a pump was tested before final delivery to the customer. While I was walking in the factory, I felt that thorough preparation and rigid production processes are the essential tasks for a manufacturing work, not only in Torishima but maybe in all manufacturing company.
After the factory tour, we thanked the Torishima staffs for taking care of us and giving many important points to consider. Before we left, we handed some small gifts to them and then took a picture together in front of a beautiful park inside the factory.
In the afternoon after having lunch, we visited The Entrepreneurial Museum of Challenge and Innovation and then went back directly to the hotel. At the hotel’s conference room, together with other members, we discussed what we learned during the day. We talked about the concept of Monozukuri (ものづくり: making things). Then, each of us shared our own ideas about the required skills for working in a monozukuri industry, such as cooperation skill, communication skill, planning skill, as well as the pride to do whatever work one is doing.
In the end, I would like to thank Ms. Yoshikawa, Mr. Peter, Mr. Edwin, Mr. Morimoto, and other Torishima’s staffs for taking care of us warmly, GSEP teachers for providing us this wonderful opportunity, and my GSEP friends for the good experience together.
Edited by: Farid Triawan (Tokyo Tech), Photos by: Alvin Varquez (Tokyo Tech), Edwin San Juan (Torishima Pump)