Alps Electric Co., Ltd. has produced a total of more than 40 billion TACT switches as of late October 2001. Lining them up end to end, they would circle the world six times.
Alps holds approximately 40% of the world market for TACT switches, and boasts the highest production in the world. In commemoration of this achievement, a celebratory event was held on November 1 at the Kakuda Plant of the Optoelectronics Division, where TACT switches are produced.
Alps began production of TACT switches at its Yokohama Plant in 1976. To reinforce the production structure in the following year, the Company transferred production lines to the Onahama Plant (now Onahama Plant of Peripheral Products Division in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture). In 1993, production was transferred to the Kakuda Plant of the Mechatronic Devices Division 1 at the time (now Kakuda Plant of the Optoelectronics Division in Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture). At present, product development and engineering is conducted at the Furukawa Plant of the Mechatronic Devices Division in Furukawa City, Miyagi Prefecture, while production continues at the Kakuda Plant.
Landmarks in total production were achieved with one billion units in 1983, five billion units in 1987 and 10 million units in 1990. Since then, production expanded to a total of 20 billion units in 1994 and 30 billion in 1998-an increase of 10 billion in only three years.
Alps manufactures approximately 300 million TACT switches per month in 338 varieties. Overseas, TACT switches are manufactured at Alps Europa GmbH (Germany), Alps Electric (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and Wuxi Alps Electronics Co., Ltd. (China). Of the 40 billion total, approximately 20% were produced overseas, and the overseas production ratio of TACT switches is now slightly over 30%.
Recent product developments in TACT switches include a surface mounted type with a projected profile that is smaller than a grain of rice-the world's smallest. In addition, Alps offers the industry's thinnest multifunction type TACT switch that makes multifunctional portable IT equipment more user-friendly. Moreover, the Company meets customer needs with a product lineup that includes the industry's thinnest stem-type soft-touch rubber spring type TACT switch ideal for the multiple functions and design qualities of car navigation systems and other automobile electronics.
Office equipment, along with household goods, mobile phones and automobile electronics, are becoming more digitized and networkable. In response to mobile needs, set equipment is becoming even more compact and thinner.
Alps engages in research to find the most comfortable interface for users and various digital equipment. Based on proprietary technologies, the Company aims to provide various high-grade, compact and thin TACT switches for markets centered on digital and network-related products.
