Developing People Through the Joy of Learning
Orbray Academy Expands the Circle of Learning

"Manufacturing begins with developing people."

This belief lies at the heart of Orbray's approach to both business and society. While the company is known for its precision manufacturing technologies, it is equally committed to supporting the growth of its people through Orbray Academy, a company-wide learning initiative.

More than a training program, Orbray Academy encourages employees to enjoy learning, connect across organizational boundaries, and build relationships based on mutual trust. Orbray aims to extend that spirit of learning beyond the company and into the wider Yuzawa community.

We spoke with President Riyako Namiki and Yumiko Saito, Project Manager of Training & Education Dept., about how the Academy was created and the vision behind it.

Manufacturing Begins with Developing People

Orbray's technologies are created and advanced by people. For President Namiki, that simple truth has shaped her approach to leadership.

"When I joined a manufacturing company, I quickly realized that manufacturing is really about developing people."

Her background in education strengthened that belief long before she joined Orbray. Through years of working with children in learning environments, she saw how curiosity and experience inspire personal growth.

That same philosophy later became the foundation of Orbray Academy.
The Academy itself grew from efforts to improve communication within the company. As discussions about employee engagement evolved, the Human Resources Development Department was established and Orbray Academy was launched.

Ms. Saito explains that they intentionally chose the word "Academy" rather than "School."

"We wanted it to be a place where people actively pursue learning, not simply receive instruction."

Starting with a new employee training program developed in-house, the Academy gradually expanded to include leadership development, cross-cultural understanding, and many other learning opportunities. Participation exceeded 1,000 attendees during its first year.

"What matters most is that people enjoy learning," says Ms. Saito.

That idea has become one of the Academy's defining principles.

Building a Culture of Trust Through Learning

One of the Academy's greatest strengths is its ability to connect people across departments, generations, job levels, and locations.

Employees from the Yuzawa factory, the Aomori factory, the Tokyo office, and other sites now have opportunities to learn together and discuss shared challenges.

"Even when people work in different departments, many of their concerns are the same," says President Namiki. "When people realize they are not facing challenges alone, they feel encouraged and supported."

These connections have helped create a culture where employees trust one another and are willing to take on new challenges.

Learning at Orbray is also supported by managers and colleagues who recognize its importance.

"Today, employees are encouraged to attend training and return with new ideas," President Namiki says.

Over time, learning has become more than a training system. It has become part of Orbray's culture.

Extending Learning Beyond the Company

Orbray now hopes to expand the benefits of learning beyond its own workforce.

A key element of this vision is the new headquarters currently under construction, which includes a Community Collaboration Center that will serve as a place for connection and learning.

The idea is rooted in Orbray's founding philosophy, issha ikka ("One Company, One Family").

Although the phrase literally refers to employees and their families, Orbray intends to extend that spirit to the wider community.

By creating opportunities for people to gather, learn, and connect, the company aims to strengthen relationships throughout the region.

The location itself carries special meaning. The site of the new headquarters was formerly home to Yuzawa Commercial and Technical High School.

"Many students once came here to learn," President Namiki says. "Creating a new place for learning on the same site feels closely aligned with the future we hope to build."

A place that once supported education will once again become a center of learning.

A Shared Future of Learning

The next stage of Orbray Academy is to make learning opportunities available not only to employees, but also to local businesses and residents.

Ms. Saito hopes the Academy can offer training programs, mentoring in business skills, and professional development opportunities that may otherwise be difficult for smaller organizations to access.

"We would like to work together with the community to help people develop and succeed," she says.

President Namiki shares a similar vision. She hopes the new facility will attract people from across the region and become a place where individuals, businesses, and organizations can learn from one another.

Orbray exemplifies the ethos that learning is not limited to a particular age or profession. It is something that should continue throughout life.

Learning as Fun

When asked to summarize the philosophy behind Orbray Academy, both leaders gave remarkably similar answers.

"For me, everything starts with the belief that learning should be enjoyable," says Ms. Saito. President Namiki agrees.

"The key word for me is excitement. When learning is fun and exciting, people remember it. Their motivation naturally grows."

Those words best capture the spirit of Orbray Academy.

People do not learn simply because they are told to. They learn because they are curious, inspired, and eager to grow. Through learning, new connections are formed, trust deepens, and communities become stronger.

Orbray Academy is more than an educational program. It is a place where people can discover new possibilities, develop meaningful relationships, and continue learning throughout their lives.

"Manufacturing begins with developing people."

As Orbray builds its new headquarters and community facilities, that belief will continue to guide the company and expand the circle of learning throughout Yuzawa and beyond.