Thai NOK Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as TNC) was established in 1988 as the core company of the NOK Group in Southeast Asia. As of September 2024, it has grown to become the largest entity within the NOK Group, employing more than 3,600 people. TNC manufactures all product items from business units and manufacturing subsidiaries in Japan, placing a strong emphasis on training personnel to uphold NOK quality standards.

Long-term training in Japan enables independent operation upon return

In the manufacturing field, the management of "4M," which stands for Man, Machine, Material, and Method, is crucial, and changes in 4M can be the cause of non-conformance issues.
The NOK Group emphasizes education in 4M management, including knowledge, to ensure consistent quality across different countries.

When innovative products from Japanese business units are transferred, and production is initiated at TNC, staff members led by TNC's on-site leaders visit the relevant business unit for training. They learn the management points for the product by following manuals and through on-the-job training (OJT). Through several months of training, relationships between team members deepen, making it easier for them to consult with the personnel from the transferring business unit when issues arise after their return.

Establishing training and educational materials for employee development

At TNC, as with other overseas factories, we have developed our own education system. The Training Center is at the core of this system, providing education ranging from basic training for new employees to hierarchical education and OJT.

The Quality Control (QC) Room within the Training Center serves as a space for learning the fundamentals of quality management. Established under the concept of "Adhering to standard procedures," it aims to instill the importance of following set standards among staff members who previously lacked familiarity with the concept. By repeatedly reinforcing why standard procedures must be followed and clarifying what constitutes a standard, TNC has cultivated a culture of compliance.
To make training engaging and memorable, TNC has developed unique teaching materials. For example, defective products are compared to improperly prepared Tom Yum Kung, Thailand's famous soup dish, due to deviations from the correct "recipe" (standards). Additionally, the factory environment is likened to a restaurant serving Pad Thai, a popular Thai noodle dish, to illustrate production principles. These creative approaches, along with demonstrations using cutaway models of vehicles incorporating TNC products, ensure that learning is both interactive and enjoyable.
Through such initiatives, TNC successfully maintains "NOK quality" in manufacturing.

Placing value on people at TNC

Duangporn Takayanagi

Thai NOK Co., Ltd.
Human Resource Development Dept.
Development Head

My main role at TNC is HR development. Specifically, I am involved in creating development plans, ensuring the transfer of expertise, knowledge, and skills based on these plans, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
I have been working on implementing ongoing education, including helping all department managers understand that HR development is crucial for the company's sustainable growth. As a result, I feel that each employee's skills are improving daily.
TNC practices management based on care and trust, cherishing its people, and continuously enhancing teamwork and unity. 
In the face of crises such as floods, the Lehman Shock, and the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has come together to overcome challenges. Employee well-being is always a top priority for TNC, and employees take pride in being part of the TNC family.
Moving forward, we will consistently foster an environment and culture that empowers all employees to proactively pursue their own growth.

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