CFI - A Daifuku Company

Work
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Q. What the SOFT Team does?

The Software department produces software, which functions as the brain of automated equipment. Primarily, we program equipment to ensure they work the right way, and test them to develop a more refined and complete software.

Q. What is the organizational structure like at your department?

The SOFT team, which is part of the production headquarters, consists of Soft 1 and 2, which modifies existing products and develops new equipment software for Back-End Stocker, Conveyor, MLUD, N2 GAS Purging System, etc. used at semiconductor plants.

Q. Do I have to work together with other departments frequently?

During the development process, you have to collaborate with the designer at Design, R&D Team. During the test and debugging process, you will be required to work with the Manufacturing Team, and with regards to on-site installation, you will work with the Sales Team and Construction Team. Finally, you do have to communicate with clients. So, compared to other departments, you will be required to work together with other stakeholders to a greater degree.

Capacity
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Q. Are you looking for specific majors or qualifications?

For new recruits, we tend to hire candidates with software-related majors. However, this is not a requisite factor. Nevertheless, basic knowledge and understanding required for software development are a must. In fact, we have staff members without an academic background in software playing critical roles in software development who began learning about software designing as a hobby.

Q. Do I need a specific skill set or qualification to carry out the corresponding tasks?

To produce automated equipment, you need to combine the machinery, electrical components, and software. As such, you must have the ability to understand the cause-and-effect between these three areas, and predict any possible issues based on probability. To do so, you will need to study, work hard, concentrate, and think critically on a constant basis.

Q. What can I do to build the capacity I need?

Check out different equipment actually used on-site, monitor new information and trends in relevant fields, and continue to plan and develop personal projects (even if they are small projects).

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

The most fundamental requirement is teamwork. Therefore, you must be able to establish personal relationships without any issues. Also, it would be great if you have a lot of interest in hardware control, and the personality to enjoy what you do for work.

Work
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Q. What does the Manufacturing Team do?

We produce products. In particular, we manufacture automated transportation devices for semiconductors/FPDs.

Assembly : The Assembly Part receives materials, assembles and produces products in accordance with customer specifications.

Test Drive : The Test Drive Part supplies power, executes a soft download, performs an I/O check, adjusts, and carries out a performance test for products that have been assembled.

Shipment : The Shipment Part registers and inspects the Tag System to manage and ship out final products.

Q. What is the organizational structure like at your department?

The Manufacturing Team, which is under the Production Headquarters, consists of three parts: Assembly, Test Drive, Shipment.

Q. Do I have to work together with other departments frequently?

Given the nature of our Team as a production department, you will be required to collaborate with almost all departments, including Purchasing, Design, Software, Construction, Services, etc.

Capacity
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Q. Are you looking for specific majors or qualifications?

Assembly : Our work requires the ability to read blueprints, and understand device mechanisms.
As such, we give priority to mechanical engineering majors or people with relevant certifications.

Test Drive : Fundamentally, our work requires the ability to read control drawings.
As such, we give priority to electrical, electronics, and machinery majors.

Shipment : Our work requires the unloading of materials and shipment of completed products.
As such, we require people with a forklift license.

Q. Do I need a specific skill set or qualification to carry out the corresponding tasks?

You will be expected to work on several domestic and overseas projects with our corporate headquarters, Daifuku Japan. As such, it would give you an advantage if you can speak Japanese.

Q. What can I do to build the capacity I need?

It is important to take full advantage of our OJT training program where you can receive intense, well-organized personal training and instructions from senior associates. Moreover, it is critical to expand your vision and accrue more experience by visiting manufacturing companies.

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

Given the nature of manufacturing work, quality is critical. Therefore you will need to have a fastidious personality that does not overlook even the smallest of errors during the course of your day. Also, people with an outgoing personality is suited for this job because you will be required to interact with several departments

Work
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"We supply and manage materials required in the production of products"

Q. What does the Purchasing Team do?

The Purchasing Team supplies and manages materials required in manufacturing AMHS products. During our procurement process, we try to find and manage new cooperating companies, manage delivery dates, manage/negotiate unit costs, etc.

Q. What is the organizational structure like at the Purchasing Team, and what can I expect in terms of personal workload?

First of all, the Purchasing Team is divided into the Procurement Part and Materials Part. The Procurement Part supplies necessary parts and equipment. If you work at the Procurement Part, you will be expected to take care of processed items, profiles, bolts, electrical components and commercial products, imports/exports, etc. Meanwhile, the Materials Part is responsible for managing the carry-in/carry-out of supplied materials.

Q. Do I have to work together with other departments frequently?

Given the nature of our work, you will be required to work extensively with other departments. First, there will be cases where you need to discuss blueprints with the Design Team that designs products. Not only that, you will be asked to collaborate with several other departments e.g. Cost Team for production costs, Financial Management Team for purchasing costs, etc.

Capacity
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"A flexible mind and attitude are important."

Q. Are you looking for any specific majors?

It would be helpful in doing your work if you majored in business, economics, trade, etc. However, if you have extensive previous experience, and you have learned plenty of skills from your previous experiences, those may be more important than your academic background.

Q. Do I need a specific skill set or qualification to carry out the corresponding tasks?

First of all, given the fact that our parent company is a Japanese corporation, a basic level of Japanese is required. Also, knowledge in blueprints and drawings is required. That is because you will be required to read blueprints, make decisions, and negotiate with other parties. But, I think the most important thing is to have an open mind towards learning.

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

People with flexible mindsets will be suited for this line of work. Since we work with a variety of other departments, a number of different things always happen. As such, you need a mindset and attitude that lets you respond flexibly to those situations.

Work
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Produces software and performs on-site adjustments for software used in Daifuku (main office) products.

Q. What does the System Team do?

We develop software and perform on-site adjustments for control systems. More specifically, we develop device schedulers and monitoring systems using Java programs, and perform server setups, on-site adjustments, maintenance work on stalker/cleanway control systems.

Q. What is the organizational structure like at your department?

The System Team consists of the Production Part and On-site Adjustment Part. The Software Production Part develops stalker schedulers, develops FAB scopes, produces stalker configurations, produces cleanway configurations, and produces vehicle maps. Meanwhile, the On-site Adjustment Part carries out server setup, on-site adjustments, and system maintenance duties.

Q. Do I have to work together with other departments frequently?

We collaborate for design reviews/code reviews when developing software and producing configurations. Also, we have to work with other departments within the company in terms of scheduling, specifications, purchasing, manufacturing, construction, etc.

Capacity
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You must be able to find the underlying cause and establish countermeasures.

Q. Are you looking for any specific majors or qualifications?

You will be required to develop software and produce/modify configurations. As such, you must know how to use basic computer programming language or have prior experience using computer programming language.Having experience in specific programming areas is not important. Rather, we are looking for people who have any programming experience at university or other academic institutions, and passion for the field.

Q. Do I need a particular skill set or qualification to execute my duties?

You must be able to communicate in Japanese. Also, you must be able to analyze and design systems, and have an attitude that looks for the root cause of problems and solves them.

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

A person who has a positive mind is suited for this line of work.A positive attitude is how your colleagues and customers evaluate you. If you come across as having a negative attitude, saying “not possible” or “it will take a lot of time” to customer requirements often, you may fail to raise their satisfaction levels. Moreover, these types of people rarely receive positive reviews within the organization.

Apart from that, the teamwork between Team members is extremely important in order to complete projects successfully.Fundamentally, you need teamwork to communicate effectively and work together based on trust.

Work
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Q. What does the Power Device Team do?

Among the automated factory system, we are working development/design/evaluation/certification acquisition/production technology of a wireless power supply system in cooperation with DAIFUKU in Japan.

Q. What is the organizational structure like at the Power Device Team, and what can I expect in terms of personal workload?

It is affiliated with the production Division, and the Power Device team is engaged in new development(Sheet metal design/electrical design/AW) of wireless power supply systems, project design(Drawing/BOM creation, etc.) according to customer specifications, product evaluation, certification acquisition, and production technology work to improve productivity.

Q. Do I have to work together with other departments frequently?

Due to the nature of the work, most of the work in the engineering part is carried out with DAIFUKU, and there are many collaborations with internal departments (manufacturing, purchasing, quality, etc.) to perform the project.

Q. Are you looking for specific majors?

Related majors require mechanical engineering for electrical, electrical, or hardware design.

In addition, since there are many collaborations with DAIFUKU, foreign language (Japanese) skills are required regardless of major.

Q. Do I need a particular skill set or qualification to execute my duties?

You need to have basic knowledge of electrical circuits, be meticulous enough to make a systematic plan for your work, and a responsible attitude to complete your work.

Capacity
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Q. What can I do to develop my capabilities?

If you analyze already developed products to learn new information or technology, and actually take the lead from development to commercialization, it will help a lot in strengthening your capabilities.

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

In addition to the given tasks, someone with a strong spirit of challenge who is curious about new fields will be suitable for the Power Device team. Also, since teamwork is important, there should be no problems with interpersonal relationships.

Work
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The EG Team offers consulting services to help actualize requirements regarding AMHS as well as planning services. We also organize specifications and negotiate with client companies to build AMHS products.

Q. What type of team is the EG Team?

The EG Team stands for the Engineering Team. We also call ourselves the System Engineering Team or SE Team. Specifically, we plan for technologies and specifications, then negotiate them with our client companies. As part of our sales activities, we use our overall knowledge in AMHS products. Ultimately, our goal is to install the best automated systems for semiconductors with our clients.

Q. What does the EG Team do?

Most notably, we negotiate with clients, negotiate with internal departments, prepare specification sheets, prepare specification drawings, prepare technical documents, etc.

Capacity
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Q. What type of skill set or capabilities are you looking for at the EG Team?

We require people with proposal-related capabilities, work knowledge/technical expertise, and language skills (Japanese).

Q. Do need to be competent in Japanese?

We work a lot with our corporate headquarters in Japan (Daifuku). As such, it will help you a lot in terms of work if you are proficient in Japanese.

Q. Do I need to travel overseas frequently?

Our client companies are in Korea, China, and the US. So, you may be required to travel overseas three to four times a year. (This is different depending on each project manager.)

My Story

Q. What is your personal goal that you want to achieve at the EG Team?

I want to make sure whichever project I am assigned to proceeds without any issues! My goal is to be recognized as a trusted and competent person from client companies and among my peers at the company.

Q. If the company recruits new employees, what type of people do you want to work with?

I would like to work with colleagues who take responsibility in what they do, and work diligently.

Q. When (what) did you feel a sense of achievement during the course of your work?

I felt a sense of achievement when the specifications I planned were fully reflected in the final semiconductor line.

Q. I cannot speak Japanese. Can I expect some support when I learn Japanese?

We offer Japanese lessons as part of our efforts to improve working skills. I could not speak Japanese when I joined. But now, I am learning Japanese with support from the company.

Work
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Q. What does the Sales Team do?

We carry out sales activities regarding our company’s automated equipment at domestic semiconductor/FPD companies. As the first point of contact with clients, we take care of a variety of responsibilities, including meetings with clients, quotes, project bidding, negotiating, etc. as the sales department to supply our automated equipment.

Capacity
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Q. Do you require any particular skill set of capacity to execute such responsibilities?

Japanese is a must because we work a lot with our corporate headquarters at Daifuku. We handle a lot of work in Japanese on a daily basis. As such, you must be able to express/describe your work (particularly, your opinion and technical details) in Japanese. Moreover, you will be required to negotiate with client requirements in the field appropriately. This means that you will need the ability to understand/sympathize with the situation your client may be in and propose an appropriate solution.

Q. What type of person would be suited to sales?

Once you join the company, the most important thing is whether or not you can develop the mindset of a salesperson in a short period of time.The most important thing for a sales representative this mindset of a salesperson.An outgoing personality that does not fear meeting with clients, acumen to achieve goals through appropriate communication, perseverance and patience to persist with difficult projects, a likable attitude that can help you form good relationships with clients - these are all traits you need as a sales representative.

Moreover, people with an active personality, the sensitivity and ability to identify client needs accurately will be suited for sales activities. We look for people with an active personality who look to show produce results that our clients want, and those who work hard to understand what our clients want.

Work
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Q. What does the Service Team do?

We perform maintenance duties, including around-the-clock monitoring and predictive maintenance, recovery, etc. to ensure our company’s equipment installed for semiconductor and FPD production processes work without any issues.

Q. What is an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS)?

An AMHS refers to an automated factory system that transports, stores, or manages items required for processing within an FPD production line.

Q. How is the work environment and work system?

Given the nature of maintenance services for company equipment, employees are stationed at client companies. Specifically, we work in shifts.

Shifts can be in a three-shift system with four groups, a two-shift system with four groups, or a two-shift system with three groups depending on the characteristics of each line.

Semiconductor and FPD production lines operate in clean room environments. You will be required to wear protective clothing while you work. Therefore, people with sensitive skin (e.g. atopic conditions) may find it difficult to work at the System Team.

Q. Do you offer work training once people join the company?

Once people join the company, they go through a basic skills training program done by the company. Then, new recruits go through a 2-week basic training program at the PM center and a 3-month field OJT program to learn the company’s equipment. That is to say, we offer continuous and systematic training to develop experts in each line of work.

Capacity
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Q. Are you looking for specific majors?

AMHS equipment feature mechanical devices. As such, you must have an academic background in engineering e.g. machinery/electrical/electronics, mechatronics, automated systems, semiconductor engineering, etc.

Q. In terms of personality/tendency, who is suited for this line of work?

Since our work requires people to collaborate with different colleagues and clients, I think the most important aspects are teamwork and consideration for others.

Also, you need to be calm and have good judgment to solve problems is a poised manner even if equipment malfunctions suddenly.

Q. I do not have any experience or prior work history in the corresponding field. Do you have any programs to help me become more familiar with field work?

As part of the 3-month field OJT program, which begins after the basic technical training program at the PM Center, the company will assign a senior associate as your mentor to help you acclimate yourself to field work as quickly as possible. The company supports new recruits in a variety of ways, including these training programs.

Moreover, the company has a person-in-charge of new recruits who works closely with new employees and helps them solve any issues or concerns at all times.