Awajishima Japan agricultural cooperatives(JA Awajishima) | Business Case Study

Industry

Agricultural cooperative

Purpose of Implementation

Improved safety, Improved efficiency, Reduced costs

Implemented product

LED lighting

High ceiling lighting DL-EH208N × 144 units;
floodlights EL-37N-W × 43 units;
EL-15N-S × 54 units; reflector shade-type
DL-MU400N + DL-M410N × 240 units; and others Total of 664 units
Installed at six facilities, including shipping centers, between July and October 2022.

Customer

Awajishima Japan agricultural cooperatives(JA Awajishima)

Minami Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Established in 1990. JA Awajishima works to build brand recognition of Awajishima onions and Awajishima lettuce, which are famous throughout Japan, as well as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and other vegetables. It promotes agriculture and contributes to the local community through its activities.

This is what we realized.

Challenges before implementation

JA Awajishima had been using mercury and fluorescent lamps to provide almost all lighting in warehouses and other facilities. However, bans on the manufacture and import/export of mercury lamps, the trouble and cost of replacing tubes, concerns about the effects of reduced illumination on working environments until replacement, and expectations of higher electricity costs in the future led the cooperative to consider switching to LED lighting.

Switching from mercury and fluorescent lamps significantly reduces electricity costs. It also reduces the labor and money required for tube replacement.
LED lights greatly increase illumination, thereby contributing to improved safety during onsite work and more efficient vegetable sorting.
Because LED lights come on immediately, employees can turn them on and off as needed and gain a better awareness of energy conservation.

Background of Implementation

A solution to various issues associated with tube replacements in high locations.
A proactive step in addressing anticipated electricity cost increases.

Most of our facilities—particularly those connected with warehouses— used mercury and fluorescent lamps for lighting. However, bans on manufacturing, importing, and exporting mercury lamps made it inevitable that we would have to replace them with LED lighting. In addition, our warehouses and other such facilities have very high ceilings. Consequently, each time a mercury or fluorescent lamp went out, we had to ask a contractor to replace it using an elevating work platform or rolling rolling scaffolding. This was not only time-consuming and expensive, but it also created concerns about the working environment, as a failing lamp means less illumination is provided until it can be replaced. In light of these circumstances, as well as our expectations of higher electricity costs, we began studying a large-scale switch to energy-saving LED lighting.

Awajishima Japan agricultural cooperatives
(Left)Mr.Kazuyuki Haraguchi, Chairman
(Right)Mr.Keiji Kawamoto, Standing Director

Reasons for Selection

Reliability in both quality and after-sales maintenance.
Significantly lower electricity costs from power savings.

Sharp, a major domestic manufacturer, made the installed lights, so we felt certain about their quality and after-sales maintenance. We selected the LED lighting most suitable for each location from a diverse product lineup. With the lighting’s long life and reduced need for replacement and power consumption, we expect to see significant reductions in our electricity costs. In addition, since our facilities handle food products, we also appreciated the fact that using LED lighting would eliminate the risk of mercury contamination resulting from broken mercury or fluorescent lamps.

Combining reflector shade-type and high-ceiling lighting to create a more comfortable working environment

Effect after implementation

Improved safety and work efficiency with increased illumination.
Immediate on/off ability permits the use of lighting only as needed.

We began by replacing lighting at six facilities, including warehouses and shipping centers, during the first phase of installation. We installed the best lighting for each location, using high-ceiling lighting, floodlights, and reflector shade-type lighting among other products. The increased illumination has been well received by our on-site staff, as it has led to a better working environment by preventing accidents and increasing efficiency in vegetable sorting operations. And because the lights come on immediately, they can be turned on and off as needed and facilitate staff awareness of energy conservation. We are looking forward to enjoying even more energy-saving effects down the road.

Compact floodlights for refrigerators (down to -30°C), capable of on/off operation as needed

Future prospects

Enhancing workplace lighting for brand and quality protection.
Utilizing this experience to suggest LED lighting to other JA members.

We have approved the installation of Sharp’s LED lighting at seven additional facilities in the second phase. We also plan to suggest LED lighting at other JA worksites and warehouses and think that our first-phase facilities may be useful in exhibiting its usefulness. Onions, lettuce, and other JA Awajishima produce have nationally recognized brand status. Brightness is essential to the sorting and other operations needed to ensure the brand’s quality. We will therefore continue to actively promote the use of LED lighting.

Waterproof floodlights installed under eaves for bright and efficient loading and unloading