Co-existing environment and economy of manufacturing industry in Japan

All manufacturing enterprises over the world today are faced with overcoming environmental barriers and financial crisis. Generally, resolution of environmental issue to manufacturing companies would be in need of additional cost and trade-off in financial aspects. Service functions and utilization of IT for manufacturing companies should be essential, providing environmental solution by co-existing environment and economy. First, this paper surveyed business models of manufacturing industry from past industrial age to today´s information and service age. Second, three cases of study show successful achievements by co-existing environment and economy. In case A, an excellent construction machinery company realized saving energy, productivity, cost saving and security system, using global IT solution and GPS network. In case B, an integrated systems supplier expands their new business for environmental solution and carbon credit management. In case C, total solution provider changed their direction from supplier of computer and communication products to service and solution business provider. As a conclusion, the philosophy of ldquogood for environment is good for economyrdquo will realize ldquowin-win relations for customer, provider and societyrdquo.