Business Overview 4. DX Regional Collaboration Project Signpost's DX and Regional Collaboration Project started in March 2022 with the establishment of the DX and Regional Collaboration Division. It aims to provide products and services that contribute to regional collaboration by collaborating with local financial institutions nationwide, utilizing its own DX technology and open innovation. In August 2022, it began working with Oita Made Co., Ltd., which was established with the investment of multiple companies in Oita Prefecture, including Oita Bank, to sell original products made in Oita Prefecture to both domestic and overseas markets and to match local companies and Signpost's products and services in order to promote the revitalization of Oita Prefecture's economy. In addition, in April 2024, it started offering DX support services for medium-sized and small businesses. As the first effort, it supports the creation of DX declaration by (The) Fourth Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. (Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture) to deploy DX declaration support services to the market. Furthermore, it will realize new solutions by commercializing its own technology and open innovation and promote regional collaboration through innovation.

4. New technology and products in the strategic field.

(1) Manufacturing technology of precast products using AI.

Japan Hume (5262) has developed precast product manufacturing technology using AI in collaboration with Taiheiyo Cement (5233), and applied PreSlump AI (R) (developed by Taiheiyo Cement) that predicts the slump value (an indicator value that represents the softness of concrete) from the kneading image of concrete to its segment products, and realized stabilization and advanced quality in the manufacturing process.

(2) Construction management using ICT "Pile-ViMSys (R)".

The next-generation DX construction management system using ICT "Pile-ViMSys (R)" was developed in July 2021. By connecting a construction management device "Earth Guide" attached to a pile driver and a dedicated tablet "i-Pile-ViMSys" wirelessly, interactive management in real time became possible, enabling managers to perform the necessary management tasks for pile construction management from distant places on the construction site. In addition, an electronic blackboard application "ViMSys Camera (Vimcis Camera) (R)" was developed in conjunction with "Pile-ViMSys (R)", which achieves efficient on-site management. The "ViMSys Camera (Vimcis Camera) (R)" obtained credibility confirmation and small blackboard information linkage function accreditation (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Technology Building Management No. 10) in October 2023.

(3) Introduction of 3D printer to respond to labor-saving needs in the factory.

The company is also working on utilizing 3D printing technology to achieve labor savings and mechanization in factories, and is starting to deliver products using this technology. In the future, the company aims to promote the realization of solutions for the precast business by manufacturing various shapes of products, including large products, using the "3D printer".

(4) "Wellman Storage Tank (R)".

"Wellman Storage Tank (R)" is a storage facility that utilizes vertical space underground to temporarily store rainwater, even in narrow areas. It is one of the urban disaster prevention solutions developed as a measure against internal flooding caused by sudden heavy rains. It uses the company's well method (PC members and large caliber foundation method corresponding to the trend of structure enlargement needs) and is sunk to a depth of about 30m by the middle excavation pressure method.

(5) Expansion of synthetic steel pipe lineup.

Synthetic steel pipes are concrete pipes with outer steel pipes (integrated with inner concrete pipes). They have a hybrid structure of steel pipes and concrete, making them highly resistant to cracking under external pressure, and making them possible to construct at great depths. The company developed pipes No. 1, 2, 5, and 6 in 2021, and expanded its lineup to include "Types 1-6" to meet the increasing demand for rainwater storage pipes and other electrical power-related products.

(6) Low-carbon, high-functionality concrete "e-CON (R)".

Low-carbon, high-functionality concrete "e-CON (R)" is an environmentally friendly material developed jointly with the Tokyo Metropolitan Sewage Service in 2019. Recycled materials such as blast furnace slag and fly ash are effectively used, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to ordinary concrete, making it superior in environmental performance. Additionally, its resistance to salt damage and acid resistance are top class, enabling long life. The corresponding products include Hume pipes, segments, manholes, box culverts, and high walls, and are expected to expand demand in the era of carbon neutrality. It has been adopted as a biotic symbiotic-type port structure in the Yokohama Port Shin-Honmoku Coastal Wall (Wave Absorber) A Construction Project of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for fiscal year 2022.

(7) "Quick Wall Barrier".

"Quick Wall Barrier" is a precast wall barrier that improves construction speed and durability. The floor plate is connected to the wall member by placing the block of the wall member on an anchor bolt protruding from the floor plate and filling it with shrink-free mortar, thereby achieving rapid construction by a simple joint structure. In addition, to suppress the intrusion of deterioration factors, the joint part with the floor plate is set to a height where it is difficult for road surface water to penetrate, improving durability. All reinforcing bars are coated with epoxy resin paint and concrete materials use blast furnace slag powder with a substitution rate of 45%, considering durability improvement. It is a product with excellent rapid construction and high durability. The company positions it as a leading product for expanding its business in the road field.

(Authored by FISCO guest analyst Masanobu Mizuta)