Futaba North America Group (FNA) to Standardize Automotive Manufacturing Operations on the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform

Plex Will Deliver a Full Suite of Cloud-Based Manufacturing Management Solutions Across Multiple FNA Automotive Production Sites

January 31, 2023 – Plex by Rockwell Automation, a leader in cloud-delivered smart manufacturing solutions, today announced that automotive supplier Futaba North America Group (FNA) has selected the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform as a state-of-the-art, complete and integrated manufacturing and business solution to run their North American operations. The multiyear contract will see the full suite of Plex cloud-based solutions rolled out in locations across the US, with Plex Professional Services to support the multi-site implementation.

FNA sought the expertise of a single provider with automotive experience, where Plex has a deep history and domain expertise. The Plex solutions will help improve FNA’s real time inventory management, complex planning and reporting, and data visibility and connectivity across its production, supply chain, and business operations. FNA’s plan to standardize on Plex SaaS-based solutions to optimize their enterprise is targeted to improve scrap rates, labor productivity, and lower overhead costs.  FNA also noted Plex’s outstanding security rating and uptime as key to the partnership.

“The members of Futaba North America’s selection team were very impressed by the strength of the Plex software solution and proven effectiveness at several of our peer companies in the automotive supply sector,” commented Dave Martin, Vice President, FNA.  “We are excited to embark on a successful journey with Plex as our business partner.”  

Rockwell Automation’s upcoming 8th annual “The State of Smart Manufacturing” study details the challenges faced by manufacturers to retain and attract skilled workers and the increasingly recognized value of integrating machines from shop floor to top floor across the enterprise. More and more, the data shows that manufacturers recognize the critical nature technology plays in their ability to maintain and grow market share, particularly as advanced technologies like artificial intelligence gain widespread adoption. These modern systems help manufacturers digitally transform their environment and gain the visibility needed to stay ahead of the competition.

“The Plex comprehensive suite of scalable, smart manufacturing solutions will deliver a world-class production system for FNA that is integrated across the enterprise and broader supply chain to drive increased levels of efficiency and agility," said Nathan Pieri, chief product officer and vice president, applications, Rockwell Automation. "Futaba North America recognizes the importance of digital transformation to stay ahead of the game in today’s evolving automotive supplier marketplace.”

FNA will implement Plex’s full suite of cloud-based solutions including Plex’s Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Quality Management System (QMS), Asset Performance Management system (APM), Production Monitoring, MES Automation & Orchestration (A&O), and DemandCaster Supply Chain Planning.

With over 2000 employees across 5 locations in the USA and Canada, FNA is a critical JIT Tier 1 supplier to several auto makers in North America. The company possesses extensive experience and capability in metal forming, welding and assembly of automotive body, fuel and exhaust handling components.  The Futaba North America group of companies are subsidiaries of Futaba Industrial Company, Ltd. headquartered in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.