In the coming years, ThermoSeed Global plans to introduce the technology in Japan together with ZENNOH, Japan’s largest agricultural cooperative.

“Both Sweden and Japan have common interests in nature, sustainable agriculture, food quality and innovation and we are very excited to enter the Japanese market,” said Alness.

“Our team has learned a lot from our Japanese partners and through our cooperation we intend to create synergies. This endeavor will result in a win-win partnership as we continue to work together for sustainable and profitable food production.”

www.thermoseed.se

“While the cost of processors has fallen dramatically over the years, the level of technology, processing speed and industry knowledge have all risen,” explained Skarin. “Today, an increasing number of products use processors to allow connectivity and the ‘internet of things.’ Our strength lies in our ability to support all processors and produce high-quality code that can be migrated between processors.”

The automotive industry’s shift toward electric powered vehicles is driving the global development of the embedded systems market. The Japanese market currently accounts for 15 percent of IAR Systems’ automotive business.

Kiyofumi Uemura is responsible for the company’s growth across Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific, which accounts for approximately 30 percent of the company’s revenue. In Japan, IAR Systems holds the leading market position and the business has achieved growth in 24 out of 26 financial quarters since Uemura joined the company.

“Uemura-san has done an outstanding job,” said Skarin. “The Japanese market is key to our business and the partnerships we have developed in Japan are very important to us. The Japan market opened up to us once we converted our products into Japanese. Today, all our products are available in Japanese and we have built strong relationships with clients like Toshiba and Fujitsu, and on the processor side, Renesas Electronics.”

Renesas is one of the world’s largest providers of microcontrollers and smart solutions in embedding intelligence. IAR Systems is the only vendor to deliver development tools for the entire lineup of Renesas microcontrollers.

“We have enjoyed a very good relationship with Renesas for over 25 years. I make it a point to visit Japan every year and I am always pleased to meet with Kuresan, chief executive officer of Renesas,” said Skarin.

According to Skarin, Japanese culture has inspired the company to grow and innovate.

IAR Systems works closely alongside Japanese and international clients through the cultivation of ecosystems to facilitate knowledge sharing, technical integration and advanced development.

This year, the company took an important step toward supporting the future growth and security of embedded systems by acquiring Secure Thingz, a provider of advanced security solutions for embedded systems in internet of things devices.

The market faces major security challenges, including intellectual property theft, counterfeiting and overproduction, data theft and even life-threatening sabotage. To minimize the risk of security breaches and protect information and intellectual property, companies must ensure that security is implemented throughout their development and manufacturing processes. IAR Systems’ acquisition of Secure Thingz will allow the company to offer the necessary security solutions to address these challenges and reinforce the company’s position as a leader in the next-generation ‘embedded industry.’

“Our industry today sees heavy revolution and evolution which makes us sometimes feel like a 35-year-old startup company. But this is just the beginning,” Skarin shared. “We understand the challenges companies face and recognize the responsibility we have to deliver solutions.

Embedded systems solutions are a part of our modern lives and will play an even larger role in the future. It is fascinating to see our customers go digital and we will continue to work closely with them to enable innovations and security solutions.”

www.iar.com

Hiab is once again revolutionizing crane operations with the introduction of its award-winning HiVision™ forestry crane control system which allows operators to work safely and comfortably inside the truck cabin with the use of virtual-reality goggles and two electrical joysticks.

“The safety and comfort of the operators is of utmost importance to us,” said Mr Suzuki.

The innovative HiVision™ system has four cameras mounted by the top seat where crane operators can generate 3D views of the work area. Two joysticks and a 270-degree field of vision enable operators to work safely and effectively.

“Our advanced ergonomic design ensures the operator is comfortable in the truck cabin, an important factor considering Japan’s cold winters and hot and humid summers,” said Mr Suzuki. “The system is comparable with playing a video game and we expect to attract a new generation of operators for the forestry sector.”

The first HiVision™ crane has already been delivered to a customer in Tohoku (northern part of Japan). A demonstration truck with HiVison™ is presently touring the country and creating a great deal of interest.

“It is important for us to further develop our business in Japan by strengthening our commitment to customer satisfaction,” said Mr Suzuki. “My priority is to find and develop other segments and applications for our products and services.”

With forest and environmental protection of prime importance to Hiab Japan, the company is an active member of the Japan Iron and Steel Recycling Institute and the Japan Woody Bioenergy Association.

“We enjoy good relations with Tokyo University in the fields of agriculture and forestry,” said Mr Suzuki. “We discuss and exchange innovative ideas, and we often collaborate with them when we modify our product designs.”

Acknowledging the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic and trade treaty between Sweden and Japan, Mr Suzuki added: “Swedish and Japanese companies are very similar in that we take pride in our countries, industries and products, and are dedicated to our customers. We celebrate the long-term relations between our two countries and are delighted to have contributed to this relationship through 45 years of doing business.”

Video provided by: Hiab Japan

www.hiab.com

The hotel offers 191 guest rooms, all with a view of the sea and simple aesthetics based on traditional Japanese design. In addition you will find a conference facility with twenty three meeting rooms, the largest of which can hold up to four hundred participants. Food plays an important part of every guests stay at Yasuragi and there are three different restaurants; vegan, à la carte and teppanyaki. Water and pine trees surround Yasuragi and guests can even enjoy a stroll around the Japanese garden.

Yasuragi is operated with passion by a company that contributes to a more sustainable world on every level. Staff promise guests a place where they can unwind, rediscover their innate energy and go home with renewed strength. CEO, Mrs Sunniva Fallan Rod has a strong belief that people who have more energy and are in touch with their inner-selves are more likely to make better decisions and do good deeds. Helping people unwind and relax is an important and powerful tool for creating a more sustainable and peaceful world.

Learn more at www.yasuragi.se/en

“I visit customers in Japan twice a year and have been doing so for 20 years,” Zachrisson shared. “Customers want specific sizes for their building and construction needs so we buy standard sizes from sawmills in Sweden and cut them to order.”

Acetimber AB certifies all of their wood products, sourced from sustainable forests.

Many of the company’s clients first learned about Acetimber AB by seeing their standard and custommade quality products on the docks of major seaports in Japan.

“Though I still supply to some major trading houses, I concentrate on the medium-sized and smaller companies, with whom I have developed long-term relations based on durable quality and a more personal relationship,” Zachrisson said.

“I really enjoy working with the Japanese. It is a special relationship based on trust and respect.” 

www.acetimber.se

SG has doubled its revenue within the last decade and established two additional plants in Mexico and China, and acquired an existing wire maker in the U.K., adding to their plants in North America and Sweden.

“Our corporate governance over the last 10 years has remained focused on our business strengths while retaining close cooperation with our parent company,” said Pieters.
“Today we supply many key Japanese spring manufacturers in North America and China. As we develop our international business, we receive support from our parent company, an important factor in our success.”

As the automotive industry and others continues to innovate, SG is investing in research and development in order to deliver cutting-edge solutions. “We have developed our product range to penetrate new applications such as fuel-saving components in the automotive industry and automation industries,” said Pieters. “As we grow, we remain committed to delivering solutions to our international clients.”

“Sweden and Japan have a long history of working together within our industry and both sides have learned from one another through close collaboration,” SG Deputy Managing Director Toichiro Kumagai concluded. “As we continue to strengthen our collaboration, we are excited about the future.”

www.suzuki-garphyttan.com

In 2016, Massive Entertainment released Tom Clancy’s ‘The Division’. The game became the fastest-selling game in the history of Ubisoft and Sweden’s largest cultural-export for that year. The game’s success led Ubisoft to be ranked among the top ten publishers in Japan by console unit volume sales in 2017.

Polfeldt believes the game’s success in Japan is founded on the advanced interactive experience which players experience as the game unfolds.

“The Division is a thinking man’s action game which goes deeper, asks more complex questions and poses multiple interpretations,” shares Polfeldt.

“We always work under the assumption that our audience is incredibly intelligent and our approach has proved successful, especially in Japan where gamers expect a full immersive experience and intellectual stimulation.”

Massive Entertainment’s craftsmanship has also caught the attention of Japanese superstar game-developers Hideo Kojima and Fumito Ueda who have visited Massive Entertainment’s studio in Malmö, Sweden.

“We have good relations with Kojima and Ueda and our friendships are based on mutual respect. Japan has always been a leader in the video gaming industry and I would love to work with such great craftsmen,” says Polfeldt.

Massive Entertainment is currently working on ‘The Division 2’ which will be launched on the 15th of March, 2019 followed by the company’s next major title based on Hollywood director James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’.

According to Polfeldt, Cameron saw ‘The Division’ at a trade show and was impressed by Massive Entertainment’s visual fidelity and gaming technology.

“We are working on incredibly exciting projects at the moment and we believe we are in a strong position to work more closely with our friends and partners in Japan.”

www.massive.se
www.ubisoft.com/en-US/office/japan.aspx

“The difficulties of employing second and third shift workers are forcing companies to be more efficient regarding their material- handling capabilities. We are committed to our customers’ success and deliver solutions through our automation know-how.”

Last year, Toyota Industries acquired Vanderlande, a Dutch-based logistic process automation company.

“Following the acquisition, we created synergies between the two companies to deliver integrated material-handling solutions that will provide our customers with advanced, efficient and cost-effective material-handling solutions,” said Unnai.

Toyota strives for quality and the company provides its know-how in lean manufacturing based upon TPS. The Toyota Lean Academy will also help customers to achieve the best possible quality results with maximum efficiency and optimum profitability.

In addition to delivering products and solutions that enable companies to better execute their material-handling needs, TMHE continues to invest in its people.

“It’s vital we train our employees to the highest standard and provide our workforce with development opportunities,” said Unnai.

The company also runs student competitions both in design and engineering to develop fresh ideas for future innovations.

“By providing internships and inspiring innovation, we are confident we will build on our successes by nurturing and encouraging the next generation,” Unnai concluded.

Video provided by: TMHE

www.toyota-forklifts.eu

“Since the establishment of our European head office in Germany, our sales in Sweden have continued to grow,” said Par Tornemo, chief executive officer of Yaskawa Nordic AB. “Our revenue has doubled since then and sales show no signs of slowing down.”

As the automotive industry evolves, Yaskawa is keeping one step ahead of the competition by introducing innovative products that work in synergy with new automotive industry technologies.

“While our machines are imported directly from Japan, they are heavily customized to meet the needs of our European clients,” said Tornemo.

“We are seeing our business grow through the development of our partnerships with clients working in the material-handling and spot welding industries. Our Motoman GP12 helps clients handle more medium-sized products and our HC10 collaborative robot features sensor detection technology that allows the robot to be used within close proximity to humans.”

In addition, the “i3-Mechatronics from Yaskawa” is the company’s answer to “big data”, allowing customers to take efficiency to the next level by utilizing system data collection and analysis. Yaskawa is also strengthening its partnerships across Europe in the areas of “drive, motions and control” (which now consist of 50 percent of Yaskawa’s business in Europe, Middle East and Africa) and software engineering as technological advances in automation continue to develop, resulting to what is now the Industry 4.0.

Yaskawa’s commitment to the Nordic region will be further strengthened in August this year with the opening of a newly completed 2,000-square-meter workshop and office to better serve existing customers and reach out to new clients across the region. Tornemo oversees the operations in the Nordics, Baltic States and Russia. In Finland alone, sales have grown 40 percent in the last two years under his leadership.

“To explore our presence in these countries is one of my highest priorities,” explained Tornemo. “You know that if you come to Yaskawa, you get high quality and good support.”

www.yaskawa.se

The Swedish government recently decided on a new scheme to increase taxation based upon carbon dioxide emissions for diesel and petrol-driven cars, while offering tax breaks and bonus payouts to support low-emission cars such as hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

The Nordic countries are building infrastructure to accommodate electric vehicles. Charging stations are located across the countries and can be found in almost every city center parking area.

In Europe, Honda plans to introduce an electrified drivetrain version with every new model launch or full model change from 2018 onward. This will begin with this year’s launch of the new CR-V, the world’s bestselling SUV. The new CR-V with a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo petrol engine will be available first, and then followed by the Honda i-MMD Hybrid technology.

Honda also announced the production of its first battery- powered electric vehicle that will arrive in Europe by the end of 2019. It will be the production version of the Urban EV Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The concept gained critical acclaim for its stylish and innovative design in the European press. “We are looking forward to the launch of this car in Honda’s Nordic markets,” said Taebel.

While automobile drivers can look forward to Honda’s new vehicle launches, customer satisfaction will remain the top priority for Honda.

“With the introduction of new technologies and vehicles, we will ensure our dealer network is fully trained and well-equipped to give our customers the best experience,” said Taebel.
“Customer satisfaction lies at the heart of our business and we want to exceed customer expectations. Honda’s mission is to serve people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential.”

www.honda.se
www.honda.dk
www.honda.no