Makoto Shiraishi, managing director of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is committed to providing the best solution to customers across Thailand by delivering products and after-sales service.

“The majority of our customers are Thai firms active in the construction, mining and quarry, industrial and agriculture sectors,” said Shiraishi.

As a group company within the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group, Hitachi Construction Machinery (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has been active in the Thai market since 2004 and this year sees the company celebrate its 15-year anniversary.

With about 300 employees across 18 offices, two mining project offices in Thailand and one mining project office in Laos, the company is committed to serving customers across the country and providing best-in-class service and support.

“As a 100 percent owned Japanese and worldwide manufacturing company, our employees are always working closely with our development and production team in Japan or the other countries to support our customers in Thailand by delivering new and used equipment and after-sales and parts solutions,” said Shiraishi.

Makoto Shiraishi, Managing Director of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Thailand) Co., Ltd.  |  © Synergy Media Specialists

Hitachi aims to constantly develop the products by integrating modern technology to match the ever-changing demands of our customer’s diverse industries; ranging from mining, quarry, forestry, construction, material management and more.  |  © Hitachi Construction Machinery (Thailand)

In 2011, KCEI set up its production facility in the Satyavedu Reserve Infracity Pvt. Ltd. (also known as Sri City), a special economic zone in Andhra Pradesh, just 75 kilometers north of Chennai. It was the very first Japanese company in Sri City and its success encouraged many other Japanese companies to locate there as well.

KCEI supplies construction machinery such as excavators and cranes that are known for their more efficient fuel consumption and durability. Owing to the synergy of engines and efficient hydraulic systems, Kobelco’s excavators could save about 10 to 15 percent of diesel per hour when compared to those of their competitors, making them more eco-friendly.

“In the beginning, our production capacity was four to six machines a day and in the first year we produced only 500 machines,” said KCEI adviser and former Managing Director Vikram Sharma.

KCEI produced more than 2,000 machines last year and its production continues to grow to meet the strong demand from India’s road and mining sectors.

Vikram Sharma, Adviser and former Managing Director and Koji Nakagawa, Managing Director and CEO of KCEI  |  © KCEI

KCEI factory in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh  |  © KCEI

The company employs over 500 people in manufacturing, research and development, and engineering in Singapore. Makino Asia’s operations span China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, while exports extend to the Americas and Europe.

“As a global leader in high-speed, high-efficiency machining, our successes in recent years have been achieved through our focus on China and India,” said Chief Executive Officer Neo Eng Chong. “To meet the increasing demand for our solutions, we expanded our Singapore facilities and built our smart factory.”

In Europe, the company remains one of the largest players in the industry and has leveraged France as their base in the region due to the European country’s receptiveness to compact machinery.

“When we saw how French customers accepted Takeuchi’s concept of small excavators, we decided to establish our European office here in 2000,” recalled Hiroshi Komatsu, managing director of Takeuchi France SAS.

“Our machines are developed with the purpose of providing comfort and convenience to our customers,” said Komatsu. “Our founder, Mr. Takeuchi is an engineer and recognizing that manual work was difficult, he specifically designed compact machines to assist individuals in their work. We also constantly make improvements inside our machines to ensure they are comfortable for personal use.”

A vast distribution network across Europe ensures the company remains a leader in the segment, but Takeuchi is committed to strengthening its position in France, the market that started it all for them.

Photos provided by: Takeuchi France

IHI Corporation has played an important role in Japan’s industrialization over the last 160 years.

IHI Corporation has played an important role in Japan’s industrialization over the last 160 years. As a leading international heavy industries conglomerate, the company’s involved in the design, manufacture and construction of processing plants, heavy industrial and mass produced machinery, material handling equipment, ship building, offshore marine and steel structures, aero engines and rocket systems.

On the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan, IHI Corporation’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Tamotsu Saito, is proud of the company’s contribution to the development of Singapore. As IHI Corporation expands its operations across the region, Singapore also remains the company’s headquarters for South East Asia Pacific.

Tamotsu Saito, President and Chief Executive Officer, IHI Corporation and Taizo Suga, President and Chief Executive Officer, IHI Asia Pacific Ptd. Ltd.

Established five years after the PET bottle was patented, Nissei ASB Machine Co. Ltd. is a pioneer in injection stretched blow moulding (ISBM) machines used to form PET containers.

The pioneering technologies offered by the company are world renowned for delivering customized moulding solutions. Nissei ASB Machine’s range of products is ideally suited to the needs of custom moulding companies and small and medium size ‘in-line’ filling operators.

“Our company was established thirty five years ago, shortly after the PET bottle was patented,” says Kota Aoki, the son of the founder and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Nissei ASB Machine. “We started our business in the U.S. before developing our local customer base which gave us a unique approach and as a result, our reputation as an innovative company developed rapidly”.

Today, the Japanese market accounts for approximately fifteen percent of the company’s business while overseas markets make up the majority of the company’s business activities. Nissei ASB Machines are exported around the world from the company’s facilities in Nagano, Japan and Mumbai, India.

“We invested in India in 1997 and have continuously expanded our manufacturing capabilities in the country”, says Aoki. “We are now interested in establishing another facility in Southeast Asia due to the growth and stability throughout the region and the affinity countries have towards Japan.”

Acting as a regional hub, the company’s Singapore subsidiary is responsible for sales in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and South Africa.

“As a company with an international focus, I would like to continuously increase our foreign employees here in Japan”, says Aoki. “I feel Singaporeans would be a great addition to our team and I am impressed with the country’s role as a financial hub and the high level of talent found in Singapore. Many Japanese companies are interested in ASEAN countries but we must continue to improve the way we communicate and adapt to local cultures. By utilizing our individual strengths, we can benefit from working together.”