IDM
Rigorous quality control, stable supply, and cost competitiveness
This interview was originally published in the ROHM Group Integrated Report 2024.
For over 60 years, ROHM has pursued a quality-first approach to manufacturing. This is supported by our vertically integrated device manufacturing (IDM) business model. We complete all production processes within the Group, from raw materials to finished products, enabling us to establish a consistent quality assurance and stable supply system, and build a Business Continuity Management (BCM*) system that ensures continued supply even in natural disasters and other unexpected situations.
At ROHM, we manufacture in-house items typically outsourced, such as wafers, photomasks, lead frames, and even dies. This enables a level of traceability only possible through IDM and reflects the deep commitment of ROHM employees to the principle of quality first.
*BCM: Stands for Business Continuity Management.
Employees’ Perspective
Building a next-generation production line unbound by conventional thinking
Our next-generation post-process production line “flexible line*,” is based on the concept of an unmanned, high-mix production line. When developing this, we had to significantly change our approach while basing it on existing process controls. ROHM Apollo Co., Ltd., with its expertise in process design, worked together with the Manufacturing Innovation Division and other business divisions at the head office, to realize a completely new production line that defies common practice. The ability to handle all aspects of manufacturing in-house through the IDM business model, including production lines, is ROHM’s strength. This model allows seamless feedback of production process insights into design and development, enabling front-loading. Additionally, by developing many of our own production systems and product testing equipment, we can make improvements in production efficiency and reduce costs.
Our production lines are infused with an abundance of technology and know-how accumulated in the development and tuning of manufacturing equipment since our founding, and operate at production sites around the world every day. I feel that the challenges in making further quality and productivity improvements hereon include both an aspect of having not yet achieved what we should, and an aspect of having to choose a new direction if we are to succeed. While steadily working on what we have cultivated so far, I think we should aim to maintain a perspective of breaking through the status quo with ideas that defy conventional thinking like the flexible line.
*Flexible line: A production line that can manufacture various products on the same production line without human intervention.