Summary of the 15th International Congress on Sheet Metal Work
Over 300 delegates from nine countries gathered in Japan October 30-November 2, 2005, for the 15th International Congress on Sheet Metal Work. 
Japan proved to be most excellent hosts by planning and executing rewarding and stimulating business sessions and plant tours as well as arranging wonderful social events and a memorable spouse program.
View the Attendee List (1.2 Mb)
Schedule of Events:
Tokyo, Japan--Takanawa Prince Hotel
Sunday, October 30
Tokyo Welcoming Party: Our hosts escorted us to awaiting busses and transported us to the Tokyo Cafe 202 located on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Main Building. The view was breathtaking, as were the welcoming address, delicious Japanese cuisine, entertainment and networking with attendees from various delegations.
Monday, October 31
Opening Ceremony: The Congress General Assembly Session opened at 9:00 a.m. and lasted until 5:30 p.m. Opening remarks were given by Mr. Yoshinori Eguchi, President of Japan Metal Stamping Association and President of ICOSPA. The Keynote Speech was "Toyota craftsmanship for the globalized age" and was presented by Mr. Takeshi Uchiyamada, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Reports from ICOSPA member countries were presented for the rest of the morning and afternoon. We heard from:
Japan
Dr. Takeo Nakagawa, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Mr. Toshio Takahaski, Chairman, Fuji Technica Inc.
France
Mr. Francois Lassalle, General Secretary, GIMEF (375k)
Mr. Eric Moleux, President, GIMEF
Netherlands
Mr. Jellard Koers, Board Member, NEVAT (147k)
UK
Mr. Stan Hardy, Project Director, CBM (825k)
GermanyMr. Uwe Hinderer, Board of Management Member, Muller Weingarten
USA
Mr. Bruce Walker, Chairman, PMA International/ICOSPA Committee (1.5Mb)
Dinner Reception: Kihinkan Guest House at the Takanawa Prince Hotel was the site of the elegant dinner reception. Moving from room to room throughout the house treated one to different international cuisines and exciting live entertainment.
Nagoya, Japan-Westin Nagoya Castle Hotel
Tuesday, November 1
The group traveled from Tokyo to Nagoya via the Shinkansen Bullet Train. The weather cooperated and views of Mt. Fuji from the train were beautiful.
Welcoming Lunch Party: The Congress participants gathered at the Nagoya Marriott Hotel for a wonderful welcoming address and lunch buffet.
Plant Tours: Each person chose one of three plants to tour during the afternoon
Kato Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (www.ksj-group.com)- Location: Kani city, approx. one-hour drive by bus from Nagoya Westin Castle
- Features: One of the top ranking worldwide producers of sensors and switch-related small ultra-precision parts
- Major markets: GK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., and Rinnai Corporation
- Operations: Fine stamping, die design and production, assembly work and plastic forming
- Equipment:
- 12 transfer presses from 110 to 200 tons
- 30 transfer presses from 45 to 100 tons
- More than 50 other presses
- Miscellaneous: Working machines for die tooling
- Number of employees: Approx. 150
- Location: Tokoname city, approx. one-hour drive by bus from Nagoya Westin Castle
- Features: Manufacturer of small-sized pressed parts, with top-ranked production technology and production system for automotive and industrial machine manufacturers
- Major markets: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, ASMO CO., LTD., and AISIN SEIKI CO.
- Operations: Die design and production, fine stampings, spot welding, surface treatment, assembly work, machine work
- Equipment:
- 11 press robot lines
- 10 transfer presses from 50 to 110 tons
- 10 progressive presses from 110 to 250 tons
- 20 other presses
- Miscellaneous: Working machines for die tooling
- Number of employees: Approx. 300
- Location: Ama-gun, approx. one and half hours drive by bus from Nagoya Westin Castle
- Features: Manufacturer of small-and medium-sized pressed parts of machinery for electrical, information and stationery field
- Major markets: Sony Corporation, SHARP CORPORATION, Hitachi Ltd., and OMRON Corporation
- Operations: Several types of press work, spot welding, assembly work, die design and production
- Equipment:
- One three-dimensional transfer press of 300 tons
- 15 progressive presses from 20 to 300 tons
- 60 other presses
- Miscellaneous: Working machines for die tooling
- Number of employees: Approx. 150
Presidents Council Meeting: The Presidents Council made up of the official delegates from each ICOSPA member country met for their yearly meeting. Mandy Basel, Precision Metalforming Association, was appointed Secretary of ICOSPA.
Wednesday, November 2
Each person toured the following companies:
Toyotomi Kiko Co., Ltd. (www.toyotomi-kiko.co.jp)
- Features: Manufacturer of large-sized pressed automotive components
- Major markets: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd., and DENSO CORPORATION
- Operations: Several types of press work, spot welding, painting work, resin forming, die design and production
- Equipment:
- 8 press lines
- 10 oilic presses from 500 to 3,000 tons
- 10 transfer presses from 300 to 600 tons
- Number of employee: Approx. 1,260
- Features: Manufacturer of small-sized pressed automotive components
- Major markets: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, DENSO CORPORATION and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
- Operations: Several types of press work, special surface treatment work, spot welding, die design and production
- Equipment:
- 5 transfer presses
- 30 progressive presses from 50 to 200 tons
- 60 other presses
- Miscellaneous: Working machines for die tooling
- Number of employees: Approx. 450
- Features: Manufacturer of small-sized, precision pressed parts for automotive functional components and cold forging components
- Major markets: AISAN INDUSTRY CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATION, and AISIN SEIKI CO., LTD.
- Operations: Fine deep drawing, fine cold forging for special materials
- Equipment:
- 10 transfer presses of 250 tons
- 20 transfer presses from 15 to 200 tons
- 40 automatic presses from 30 to 110 tons
- 5 robot press lines
- Number of employees: Approx. 90
Farewell Banquet: The conclusion of this Congress was celebrated with an elegant dinner in the ballroom of the Westin Nagoya Castle Hotel.
