Why a long-established radiator manufacturer contributing to environmental improvement introduced a “tent warehouse” │ Interview with the company that introduced the system

Tokyo Radiator Mfg. Co., Ltd. is a long-established company with 82 years of experience in aluminum and stainless steel processing technology, and has produced unparalleled heat exchanger parts. The company contributes to environmental improvement by “controlling heat” in automobiles, especially trucks.

Why did the company choose a tent warehouse for its new warehouse, and what advantages did the company see in the introduction of tent warehouses?

Mr. Okawara of the Purchasing Division, Mr. Tezuka of the Corporate Planning and Administration Office, and Mr. Iwamoto of the General Affairs Department spoke in an interview.

Please tell us about your company's main business.

For 82 years since its establishment in 1938, we have been manufacturing heat exchangers for automobiles, such as radiators and EGR coolers, as a professional manufacturer of “heat control” products.

Product example (commercial vehicle) from Tokyo Radiator

Although the heat exchangers are made of different materials – aluminum for the radiator and stainless steel for the EGR cooler – both utilize brazing technology to produce high-quality products.

What was the reason for the new warehouse?

Originally, we used a small warehouse near the factory as a place to stock parts for use in the factory. As this space became too small, we rented an additional outside warehouse a short distance away.

However, because of the distance problem, work efficiency was poor and the cost of renting a warehouse was a major burden, so the decision was made to “build a large warehouse near the factory.

Mr. Kazuya Okawara, Purchasing Division

Was a tent warehouse an option from the beginning when building the new warehouse?

We had been using a tent warehouse in part because it was so easy to use, so we had considered it as an option from the beginning.

We discussed the possibility of using a building for the new facility, but we began to consider the possibility of using a tent warehouse because it was far more reasonable in terms of cost.

How did you come to know about Taiyo Kogyo Corporation?

At first, I learned about it through research on the Internet.

When we had built tent warehouses in the past, we had employed other local manufacturers, but this time we decided to compare several manufacturers and did a lot of research, including Taiyo Kogyo.

Taiyo Kogyo has a wider range of experience than other companies, and in particular, the fact that they worked on the Tokyo Dome was a topic of conversation within the company, saying, “You are very trustworthy, aren’t you?

Owner: Tokyo Dome Design: Nikken Sekkei, Takenaka Corporation Completed: 1988

What made you choose Taiyo Kogyo Corporation from among several potential tent warehouse manufacturers?

Abundance of construction results

Although there were price considerations compared to other companies, the most decisive factor was their track record. This was the first time we had dealt with this company, but their past construction experience was a factor in eliminating our concerns.

(Taiyo Kogyo Tent Warehouse’s collection of results: https: //www.tentsouko.com/achievement/)

Response from sales representative

Another point that appealed to me when I spoke with the sales representative was the depth of their maintenance support. I felt very secure in the fact that the company has excellent technology for handling highly durable membrane materials and can diagnose future deterioration.

The other thing that attracted us was their ability to make proposals. We had a latent desire to “attach a truck to the tent warehouse horizontally and unload and load without getting wet in the rain,” but we had not considered the best way to keep within the compliance of Notification No. 667 of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

Tokyo Radiator Manufacturing Corporation Completed in 2019 Size 600 square meters

One day, a sales person suggested, “Let’s tilt the eaves upward. This would allow trucks to be placed next to the eaves, and would also keep the eaves within the limits of Notification No. 667 of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (eave height of 5.0 m or less).

We were pleased that you were able to offer us ideas from a professional perspective that we did not have in-house.

Tokyo Radiator Mfg. completed in 2020 Size: 154 square meters

Did you have any concerns or fears when introducing the tent warehouse?

The tent warehouse is located along a busy prefectural road, and trucks are used to work on the side of the road, so we were concerned that exhaust gas contamination would be noticeable. With ordinary membrane materials, they turn black after a year or so.

When we discussed this concern with him, he suggested that “there is a membrane material that has a self-cleaning function using a photocatalyst called titanium dioxide.

After making a cost comparison with regular membrane materials, we decided to use this one. Thanks to this, the result is not dirty, but on the contrary, it remains so pure white that it shines and stands out too much.

Self-cleaning membrane material is used.

It really is beautiful forever, and once a customer even said to me, “It’s so bright because of the reflection of the sun.

Please tell us what you consider "good" about the tent warehouse.

When a new warehouse is built, there is always the need to replace the original warehouse. At this time, it is necessary to rent an outside warehouse, and the longer the construction period, the more expensive it will be.

But tent warehouses can be built in a very short construction period of two to three months, so the total replacement cost was greatly reduced, which was the first advantage we felt.

In addition, the cleanliness of the building itself, with its inner membrane, has been very well received both internally and externally.

Adoption of inner membrane in tent warehouses

It is very bright because sunlight pours into the building, and the inner membrane is good for catching falling objects and contamination from above. It also cuts ultraviolet rays and prevents heat retention, which is a good thing.

The amount of money is also reasonable, and the cost is only about one-third of the usual erection cost.

What are the future prospects for your company's business?

With the rise of electric cars and other vehicles, it is predicted that engines themselves will be reduced from the world.

Ms. Aimi Iwamoto, General Affairs Department (left) Mr. Katsuo Tezuka, Corporate Planning & Administration Office (center)

However, we believe that our “heat control” technology is not limited to automobiles, and that there are still other areas where we can make use of it. We would like to expand our business domain by taking advantage of our unique technology. Our technology can also contribute to the improvement of the environment.

We hope to continue to contribute to overall environmental improvement not only through the products we make as a manufacturer, but also through the use of buildings with low CO2 emissions, such as tent warehouses.

Thank you, Tokyo Radiator Mfg.

Membrane ceiling adopted

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