Overview Yaskawa manufacturing processes are designed to prevent defects. Production operators have paperless on-line resources at their workstations, providing highly detailed and up-to-date work instructions for every process step. Complex assemblies are made simple with the use of animations and video. Therefore, all components are verified and approved before they are installed, and frequent in-process quality checks prevent a unit from moving down the line until quality is assured. Cost control Providing a high quality product actually lowers manufacturing costs. Lean processes, rigorous inventory control, less defects and waste, fewere returns, and minimal repair and replacement translate to reduced costs that enable Yaskawa to offer a superior product at a very competitive price. Kaizen: Quality Through Continous Improvement Yaskawa has incorporated the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement into every facet of its operations. Kaizen literally means "change for the better". Key elements of the process are teamwork, personal discipline, improved morale, quality circles, and suggestions for improvement from all level of employees. The ultimate effects of the Kaizen process - elimination of waste and inefficiency, achieving discipline and standardization - mean that every day Yaskawa is improving the quality of its products while lowering costs. Manufacturing Locations Buffalo Grove, IL Oak Creek, WI

"Yaskawa incorporates the Kaizen method of continuous incremental improvements along with our Total Quality Management processes to create a unique and highly effective approach to zero-defect manufacturing... " -Craig Espevik, Yaskawa's VP of Operations