Finland's Academic Delegation Visits SURUGA Manufacturing Platform in Japan
On September 16, 2025, a notable delegation from Finland, comprised of leading university professors, manufacturing giants, and consulting firms, visited the SURUGA Manufacturing Platform in Shimizu, Shizuoka. This visit was facilitated by Dr. Johan Wallin, a global authority on ecosystem design, along with the recommendation of Professor Takahiro Fujimoto from Waseda University, who is renowned for his work in manufacturing research.
Currently, Finland is prioritizing the establishment of a 'Digital Green Supply Chain' as a cornerstone of its national strategy. This aims to promote the digitalization and sustainability of its entire industry. As part of their tour, the delegation planned visits to major manufacturers in the Kanto and Kansai regions, including companies in electronics, home appliances, and transportation. Their stop at the SURUGA platform, which Professor Fujimoto highly praised for its 'uniquely outstanding production system,' allowed them to delve deep into the platform's automation of variant production. This process enables the provision of an astonishing 800 quintillion product variations, fueling strong interest in its digital production model for small-lot, diverse manufacturing.
The delegation began with a comprehensive overview of MISUMI's production characteristics before touring the manufacturing floor.
One focal point of the visit was the ALASHI Stadium, featuring a proprietary mold grinding system developed by MISUMI. This system achieves micron-level precision and facilitates the automation of diverse variant production, with an average order size of only two to three units. This innovation has dramatically improved the efficiency and quality of mold component production, which is crucial for high-precision requirements.
The meviy digital manufacturing system was another key highlight, designed to ensure rapid and reliable production deadlines amidst complex varied orders, showcasing an advanced unmanned production approach. The proprietary development of this system enables quality enhancements for products ordered through meviy, further shortening lead times and reducing costs due to digital advancements. meviy has gained significant recognition as an AI platform accelerating the digital transformation of the manufacturing process, receiving the prestigious Prime Minister's Award at the 9th Monozukuri Japan Awards in January 2023.
Date: September 16, 2025, from 9:45 AM to 11:40 AM
Location: SURUGA Manufacturing Platform, Shimizu Factory (505 Nanatsushin’ya, Shimizu City, Shizuoka)
Schedule: • Overview of MISUMI Group's production • Factory tour (ALASHI Stadium and meviy Digital Manufacturing System)
Dr. Johan Wallin, a global authority in ecosystem design, led the delegation, which included Professor Takahiro Fujimoto from Waseda University, recognized as a leader in manufacturing research, and a mix of representatives from Tampere University, industrial equipment manufacturers, heavy industry solution providers, and strategic consulting firms, totaling 14 members.
The visit showcased Japan's and Shizuoka's manufacturing excellence, garnering insightful reactions from the delegation. Dr. Johan Wallin commented, 'I am greatly impressed by how rapidly the SURUGA Manufacturing Platform has evolved. The level of integration, rich experience, and high technical capability on display was truly astonishing.' He highlighted the remarkable blend of digital technology and the actual flow of materials.
Mr. Ko Toadaya, President of SURUGA Manufacturing Platform, expressed his honor in receiving the Finnish delegation. He stated, 'This visit serves as an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate how our digital manufacturing can contribute on a global scale.'
Established in April 2005 through a merger with MISUMI Group, the SURUGA Manufacturing Platform is a cornerstone of precise processing technology, featuring a comprehensive portfolio that includes precision die components, mold parts, automated components, and optical equipment manufacturing. Operating globally with bases in Japan (Shizuoka, Ibaraki, Hyogo), Vietnam, South Korea, China, Thailand, and India, it supports the production hub for the MISUMI Group. The SURUGA Manufacturing Platform website can be found at https://www.suruga-g.co.jp/index.html.
MISUMI Group has significantly transformed manufacturing processes through the power of digital technologies. As early as 2000, they launched an internet ordering service that streamlined parts selection and order completion. The introduction of the meviy platform, which allows AI to automatically estimate costs based on 3D data, has garnered attention. MISUMI is focusing on a 'Digital Model Shift' as the core of its growth strategy, offering 'Toku Misumi' and 'Raku Misumi' initiatives to add value for customers and realize substantial productivity improvements.
MISUMI sells machinery parts, tools, and consumables needed in automation across over 323,000 businesses worldwide as of March 2025. Their unique business model combines manufacturing capabilities and distribution, enabling them to achieve global dependable quick delivery, enhancing customer convenience significantly.
Background and Purpose of the Visit
Currently, Finland is prioritizing the establishment of a 'Digital Green Supply Chain' as a cornerstone of its national strategy. This aims to promote the digitalization and sustainability of its entire industry. As part of their tour, the delegation planned visits to major manufacturers in the Kanto and Kansai regions, including companies in electronics, home appliances, and transportation. Their stop at the SURUGA platform, which Professor Fujimoto highly praised for its 'uniquely outstanding production system,' allowed them to delve deep into the platform's automation of variant production. This process enables the provision of an astonishing 800 quintillion product variations, fueling strong interest in its digital production model for small-lot, diverse manufacturing.
Highlights of the Factory Visit and Technology Exchange
The delegation began with a comprehensive overview of MISUMI's production characteristics before touring the manufacturing floor.
ALASHI Stadium
One focal point of the visit was the ALASHI Stadium, featuring a proprietary mold grinding system developed by MISUMI. This system achieves micron-level precision and facilitates the automation of diverse variant production, with an average order size of only two to three units. This innovation has dramatically improved the efficiency and quality of mold component production, which is crucial for high-precision requirements.
meviy Digital Manufacturing System
The meviy digital manufacturing system was another key highlight, designed to ensure rapid and reliable production deadlines amidst complex varied orders, showcasing an advanced unmanned production approach. The proprietary development of this system enables quality enhancements for products ordered through meviy, further shortening lead times and reducing costs due to digital advancements. meviy has gained significant recognition as an AI platform accelerating the digital transformation of the manufacturing process, receiving the prestigious Prime Minister's Award at the 9th Monozukuri Japan Awards in January 2023.
Overview of the Event
Date: September 16, 2025, from 9:45 AM to 11:40 AM
Location: SURUGA Manufacturing Platform, Shimizu Factory (505 Nanatsushin’ya, Shimizu City, Shizuoka)
Schedule: • Overview of MISUMI Group's production • Factory tour (ALASHI Stadium and meviy Digital Manufacturing System)
Composition of the Delegation
Dr. Johan Wallin, a global authority in ecosystem design, led the delegation, which included Professor Takahiro Fujimoto from Waseda University, recognized as a leader in manufacturing research, and a mix of representatives from Tampere University, industrial equipment manufacturers, heavy industry solution providers, and strategic consulting firms, totaling 14 members.
Expert Comments After the Visit
The visit showcased Japan's and Shizuoka's manufacturing excellence, garnering insightful reactions from the delegation. Dr. Johan Wallin commented, 'I am greatly impressed by how rapidly the SURUGA Manufacturing Platform has evolved. The level of integration, rich experience, and high technical capability on display was truly astonishing.' He highlighted the remarkable blend of digital technology and the actual flow of materials.
Remarks from SURUGA Leadership
Mr. Ko Toadaya, President of SURUGA Manufacturing Platform, expressed his honor in receiving the Finnish delegation. He stated, 'This visit serves as an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate how our digital manufacturing can contribute on a global scale.'
About SURUGA Manufacturing Platform
Established in April 2005 through a merger with MISUMI Group, the SURUGA Manufacturing Platform is a cornerstone of precise processing technology, featuring a comprehensive portfolio that includes precision die components, mold parts, automated components, and optical equipment manufacturing. Operating globally with bases in Japan (Shizuoka, Ibaraki, Hyogo), Vietnam, South Korea, China, Thailand, and India, it supports the production hub for the MISUMI Group. The SURUGA Manufacturing Platform website can be found at https://www.suruga-g.co.jp/index.html.
The Future of Manufacturing with MISUMI's Digital Model Shift
MISUMI Group has significantly transformed manufacturing processes through the power of digital technologies. As early as 2000, they launched an internet ordering service that streamlined parts selection and order completion. The introduction of the meviy platform, which allows AI to automatically estimate costs based on 3D data, has garnered attention. MISUMI is focusing on a 'Digital Model Shift' as the core of its growth strategy, offering 'Toku Misumi' and 'Raku Misumi' initiatives to add value for customers and realize substantial productivity improvements.
About MISUMI
MISUMI sells machinery parts, tools, and consumables needed in automation across over 323,000 businesses worldwide as of March 2025. Their unique business model combines manufacturing capabilities and distribution, enabling them to achieve global dependable quick delivery, enhancing customer convenience significantly.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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