As part of the curriculum for new employee training, we visited Kewpie Kobe Factory. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff for their extremely courteous assistance.

<Impressions of new employees>

■New employee A

①First and foremost, the exhibition hall named Kewpie Garden left a strong impression on me. It not only showcased the history of Kewpie but also featured numerous exhibits related to food, such as vegetables and eggs. The dissemination of information through colorful and adorable figurines is an effective approach to promoting food culture.

②The power of the new factory boasting state-of-the-art equipment was truly astounding during the manufacturing line tour. The entire process of mayonnaise filling, packaging, and transportation was operated by robots, and there were hardly any human workers visible inside the factory. It is said that the production speed of mayonnaise achieved by the robots is approximately twice as fast as traditional manual labor. The production line, where packages were wrapped and lined up for palletizing, left a particularly deep impression. If the day comes when this technology is introduced to overseas sites, it could lead to an 80% reduction in labor costs.

③During the tour, whenever the factory workers spotted visitors, they would smile and wave their hands. They provided exceptionally friendly and welcoming assistance throughout the visit.

④After the manufacturing line tour, there was a tasting corner where they provided a bright and inviting space. We had the opportunity to sample various types of mayonnaise that are not commonly seen in supermarkets. As a token of hospitality, they also gave us mayonnaise as a souvenir, leaving us with a sense of warmth and hospitality until the very end.

■New employee B

What impressed me when I visited the Kewpie Kobe factory.

①It is possible to achieve automation in the production, packaging, and shipping of mayonnaise through the use of egg-breaking machines and robotic arms.

②One unique way that Kewpie achieves energy efficiency and recycling is through the recycling of egg whites and eggshells, as well as by having container producers located on the upper floors, eliminating the need for container transportation.

③Arranging equipment in a square configuration allows for space-saving. In the case of factories aiming for complete automation, like Kewpie, ensuring the operational efficiency of machinery is of utmost importance. While it is crucial to synchronize the speeds of machines with different production capacities, when human intervention is involved, it becomes necessary for humans to adapt to the machines.

In the case of Syokushin Co., Ltd., it is believed that achieving complete automation might be challenging. Therefore, it is important to consider the arrangement of machines and personnel to ensure operational efficiency and maintain a high utilization rate.

English translation by ChatGPT.