Integrated Report 2019

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39LINTEC INTEGRATED REPORT 2019R&D PolicyWe are pursuing R&D with strong determination to ensure that our focus themes make a real contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of existing businesses and creating new businesses and products. LINTEC is working to improve development efficiency based on two key phrases: “front-loading design” and “one-stop development.” In addition, through coordination among the Research Center and business operations, we have established an R&D scheme called the “Stage Gate System.” Under this scheme, we are taking steps to speed up the creation of new products.Front-Loading Design LINTEC’s development process  Ordinary development processIdentify issues and risks at initial design stageOperational burdenDevelopment flowLow cost because it is easy to make changesHigh cost because it is difficult to make changes 1 Front-Loading DesignWith a focus on carefully surveying customer needs and development processes, this method identifies development issues and risks, to the greatest extent possible, at the initial stage of product development. By implementing countermeasures in advance, we do our utmost to reduce the need to redo work at intermediate stages. This contrib-utes to increased development efficiency and reduced costs.R&D SystemThe Research Center of the Research & Development Div. is the core base for the Group’s R&D activities. The center has state-of-the-art testing and analysis equipment, test coating facilities, and a clean room, as well as the same semiconduc-tor-related equipment that is actually used by customers. The completion of the Advanced Technology Building in 2015, with its large-scale pilot coaters that closely resemble plant mass production facilities, provided a system for smooth flow from R&D to mass production. The center mainly comprises the Product Research Dept., which develops products directly connected to our current business, and the New Materials Research Dept., which conducts R&D with a focus on the future. More than 200 research staff are engaged in day-to-day research on these themes. In addition, the Nano-Science & Technology Center in Texas, the U.S., is engaged in research in new fields outside our current technology domain.R&D SystemLINTEC OF AMERICA, INC.Nano-Science & Technology CenterResearch & Development Div.Product Research Dept.New Materials Research Dept.R&D Strategy Dept.Research CenterIntellectual Property Dept.Administration Dept.ESGStrategyOverviewFinancial Information