Nitto Group Report 2018

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Nitto Group Report 2018262018Mono (Products) and Koto (Value) for the FutureThe Nitto Group has pursued intellectual property strategies through an amalgamation of its businesses and intellectual property in order to bring about business results. By adopting non-manufacturing business models, such as technological alliances and new approaches to intellectual property protection that also protect business models, we implement intellectual property-related activities that best match the circumstances of each market.In recognition of our dedication to proper protection of ideas leading to inventions and maximization of their value through effective commercialization, the Nitto Group was selected by Clarivate Analytics as one of its “2017 Top 100 Global Innovators” for the seventh consecutive year. Among the four evaluation criteria of “number of patents,” “success rate,” “global performance,” and “inuence of the patent,” we were particularly highly evaluated in terms of “inuence of the patent,” which shows how widely our patents are cited by other companies and organizations.So far, a linear process has been followed from research and development and marketing to production under a set framework, such as a business division.However, this “baton-passing” approach no longer functions, and we have entered an age where it is required not only to manufacture “products,” but also to think outside of the box and create “value,” in order to survive. To stay current with constantly accelerating social changes, the Nitto Group intends to transcend its organizational framework to bring about brand new innovations by converging technologies and knowledge from both within 05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,00020172016201520142012201320072008200920102011(Number of patent publications)*1: World Intellectual Property Organization *2: European Patent Ofce(Year of patent) publicationsWIPO*1EPO*2Taiwan　KoreaChinaUnited StatesJapan•Patent Publications of the Nitto Group (In Japan and major countries)and beyond the Group. We will also take a multi-exit approach to nd product applications not just in a limited number of industries, but in a variety of other elds as well.The Nitto Group continues to create new value at its ve innovation centers (ICs) and R&D centers in four countries. Opened in March 2016 within the Ibaraki Ofce, Japan, inovas has welcomed a total of more than 2,000 visitors over the past two years, receiving many positive hopes and hints for future innovations. We will tap into such input to sow a great number of research seeds and carefully cultivate them to achieve a bountiful harvest of results.IC NetworkBusiness divisionsR&D NetworkU.S.SingaporeShanghaiToyohashiTokyoIbarakiQingdaoAmalgamation of Business and Intellectual PropertyConvergence and Multi-Exit Approach