KITZ - A Product of Technology

	Advanced Product Technology
	Just-in-Time Production System In 1987, KITZ upgraded its production system, carefully integrating the just-in-time, or rolling stock system into its operations to increase production efficiency for smaller, more varied customer requirements. The Company is now able to respond to continually changing customer needs and to provide much more versatile and flexible product service.

	Unique In-House Casting System The uniqueness of our foundry operations is well demonstrated by the molds we prepare for our stainless steel valves, for example. The molds are made of 100% chromite sand, which does not crack or deform even after direct contact with steel heated to 1350°C. Compared with the silica sand used elsewhere in the industry, the shorter cooling time and greater decarbonization effect of the chromite sand used by KITZ result in castings with a much smoother surface finish and better corrosion resistance.

		Transfer Machine Technology KITZ is one of the few manufacturers to take advantage of transfer line technology in machining valve components. Our transfer lines are so precisely calibrated that any dimensional inaccuracy in the castings is rendered inconceivable. Our assembly lines are equally sensitive to dimensional inaccuracies. Hydrostatic and pneumatic tests are incorporated at the last stage of the assembly process, and none of our automatically assembled valves leaves the assembly line without meeting the requirements of API 598 or any other applicable test standards.

	--- Nagasaka Plant --- This plant contains KITZ's production headquarters. The electronic processing system located there controls sales and engineering data, order entry, product registration, and inventory administration throughout the Company's operations. Equipped with Japan's largest stainless steel and bronze valve foundries, the Nagasaka Plant possesses one of the largest automated productions setups in the industry; a part of its manufacturing facilities is designed for producing small lots of special valves. The plant can produce approximately 700 tons of stainless steel and high alloy valves each month (ISO 14000 certification pending).

	--- Ina Plant --- Fully equipped with in-house foundries, this plant is the most modern valve manufacturing facility in Japan. With a work force of fewer than 400, it can produce 1,000 tons each of cast iron and steel valves every month.