TECDIA Co., LTD

Company overview

Semiconductors are indispensable for electrical appliances and electronic devices. Tecdia Co., Ltd. is a company that manufactures semiconductor components. Our main product, ceramic electronic components, occupies the world's top market share and is used in 5G communications, data centers, satellites, and other applications. The company also manufactures parts used in the processing of smartphones and other precision machinery and has recently entered B-to-C business by starting to sell parts and materials specifically for 3D printers. Shingo Koyama, CEO of Tecdia, comments: "We are constantly challenging new markets and gaining market share."
A major characteristic of the company is that it began its global expansion in the 1980s, soon after its founding. Tecdia expanded its footprint around the world with offices in Europe, the United States, and East Asia, as well as a semiconductor testing plant in Cebu, Philippines. After that, Koyama, who believed that "in order to compete on the world stage, we need excellent human resources regardless of nationality," began hiring foreign personnel. Currently, employees from four countries work at the Tokyo headquarters.
One of them is Li, who is from China. After working in systems management, human resources, and accounting, she is now the head of the finance and IT departments. "The CEO often says, 'We evaluate merit regardless of nationality,' and she is right. I am personally surprised to be entrusted with a position that can be considered the core of the company's management. Even though we will soon celebrate 50 years in business, we continue to take on new challenges one after another, making us a 'strange' company in a good sense of the word," says Li.

Work-life balance initiatives

At Tecdia, we believe in "working hard and playing hard," and we have a variety of initiatives in place to enrich both. A typical example is "Tsum Tsum," which is a system that allows employees to propose improvements to the company's products, operations, and systems on their own. What is unique about this system is the point system, where points are awarded according to the size and scope of the improvement effect, and accumulated points can be exchanged for gift certificates and other items. "Originally, the technical department was mainly responsible for proposing product improvements, but we have renewed it as a company-wide system in order to transform ourselves into an organization willing to take on challenges," says Koyama. As a result, the system has become so popular that all employees have used it at least once. Li says: "Because the base points are higher for employees who have been with the company for a shorter period of time, recently I have been on the side of encouraging my subordinates and junior staff to make suggestions for improvement. When a proposal is adopted, it is announced on a company-wide scale, which motivates younger employees." Currently, once a month, an opinion exchange meeting is held in the open space of the office to discuss points for improvement over drinks and food, thus creating a mechanism to sustainably utilize the system.
On the other hand, there are also a variety of "play" events away from work. Through New Year's parties, year-end parties, employee birthday parties, and lunch meetings connecting each location online, even new employees can quickly become acquainted with their supervisors and seniors. Some say that the relationships cultivated through "play" have made it easier for them to ask for advice at "work."

Human resource development initiatives

"Let's do this." This is Tecdia's corporate philosophy. "We dare to take risks, make proposals that defy common sense, and significantly exceed our clients' expectations. We want our employees to become such people," says Koyama.
In order to defy common sense, it is essential to first know common sense. In addition to in-house training that enables employees to learn basic business etiquette, such as exchanging business cards, answering phones, and responding to e-mails, the company also provides external training to help employees acquire more specialized business skills. Skills can be developed according to individual abilities and business needs.
One of the company's notable features is that even employees with a short history in the company can be assigned to project planning teams as long as they are motivated. By gaining an understanding of the overall project structure as well as on-site operations, employees will broaden their perspective and improve their ability to make proposals. Li, who was entrusted with a major project to relocate a factory in her first year with the company, recalls: "I had some difficulties communicating with the on-site employees, but I am the person I am today thanks to that experience."
In this way, even employees who have only just joined the company are able to play an active role in important positions because of the company's "no shame in failure" corporate culture. "When we are afraid of failure, we are unable to take on new challenges. That is why we encourage supervisors and senior staff members to actively share their own failures. Li and other managers share their stories of failure on the company blog, and when I have a difficult business meeting, I open the door to my office so that employees can listen in," says Koyama.

Message from our top executive

Chief Executive Officer Shingo Koyama

In anticipation of the expansion of the telecommunications semiconductor market, we plan to expand our overseas business areas and increase our international competitiveness. We welcome people of any nationality with a desire to work globally. However, there is no need to 'be Japanese.' While it is important to learn about Japanese business culture, there is no need to become steeped in it. Rather, we expect employees to use the strengths of their home culture and their own personalities to generate innovative ideas!

Message from foreign talent

Finance Department and IT Department General Manager/Li Xiaotong(China)

"At first, I intended to work in Japan for only a few years, but I found myself entering my 13th year with the company. I have been able to continue working for such a long time because I have a CEO who is both strict and kind to me, with an environment that allows me to grow. As a manager who plays a central role in the company, I would like to continue to make accurate recommendations and contribute to management decisions. And Tokyo is a city where work is done on a large scale, attracting talented people. If you are looking for an exciting challenge, come and work with us!"