BookTitleToyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Summary

Toyota Tsusho 70-Year History

function and enabled the launch of operations such asMilk-run services, V-V services, and CKD packagingfor export while making use of the TPS. A company,Toyota Transport (Thailand) Co., Ltd., had been setup in Thailand in December 1993 to deliver Toyotavehicles. In December 2004, Toyota Tsusho and ToyotaTransportation Co., Ltd., each purchased shares in thecompany to strengthen their vehicle delivery capabilitiesin preparation for the IMV project.In December 2012, Toyota Tsusho established SenkoLogistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd., as a joint venture withSenko Co., Ltd. The new company started operationswith high-quality transportation of automobile parts andchemicals in April the following year.Initiatives in the Energy BusinessIn 2000, Toyota Tsusho invested in the energy businessas part of a business alliance with Tomen Corp. InOctober 2001, Toyota Tsusho invested in RatchaburiPower Co., Ltd., a combined natural gas?fired andthermal power generation plant. Commercial operationsat the plant started in March 2008.Toyota Tsusho also invested in Cassava Waste toEnergy Co., Ltd. to recover biogas in Kalasin Province,Thailand. Commercial operations at the biogas plantbegan in February 2007.Tool Business InitiativesIn June 2003, Toyota Tsusho (Thailand) Co., Ltd., andFuji Bellows Co., Ltd., made a joint investment resultingin the establishment of TT Fuji Tool Support Co., Ltd.(TTFTL). On the same month, the new company startedbusiness managing and selling tools of various types,including cutting tools with blades. Manufacturerswere having trouble procuring tools in Thailand, andthe country’s lack of engineers made tool managementdifficult. TT Fuji Tool Support was established to respondto the needs of these customers.Development of the Software BusinessIn May 2005, Toyota Tsusho Electronics (Thailand)Co., Ltd., was established through an investment byToyotsu Electronics and Toyota Tsusho (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., and started development of vehicle control softwarefor Toyota Technical Center Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.In November 2016, Toyota Tsusho Denso Electronics(Thailand) Co., Ltd., was established as a joint venturewith Denso Corp., and in July of the same year thejoint venture began developing software to improve theefficiency of engine ECU development. With advancesin powertrain control, the scale of engine ECU softwaredevelopment had increased, leading to issues withdevelopment efficiency. The new company used modelingin all processes, from control development to designand verification, to improve the efficiency of softwaredevelopment.Opening of a Traffic Safety Education CenterIn March 2013, Toyota Tsusho joined forces withKimura Unity Co., Ltd., and Senko Co., Ltd., to openthe TTK Traffic Safety Education and Training Center(TPRO) in Ban Pho City, Chachoengsao Province,Thailand. This was Thailand’s first traffic safetyeducation and training facility aimed at enhancing driversafety awareness and safe driving skills. In addition totraining its own and partner companies’drivers to drivesafely in Thailand, where the accident rate is four timesthat of Japan, Toyota Tsusho also decided to expandthe scope of the center and offer training courses toother companies and drivers in the region as a way ofcontributing to the development of a safe driving culturein Thailand. By expanding its truck and large vehiclelicense issuance function, TPRO aimed to become thenew benchmark for transportation safety facilities inemerging Asian nations.Testing a Range of Different Businesses in ThailandIn August 2005, Green Metals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.,TTK Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd.Toyota Transport (Thailand) Co., Ltd.158