Their story began in Japan 90 years ago. Today, SANYO DENKI is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric parts and systems, including “San Ace” cooling fans, “SANUPS” universal power systems, and “SANMOTION” servo motors and drivers. It conducts business around the globe and remains steadfast in its mission to provide products of the highest quality.
GMI Post met recently with SANYO DENKI CEO Shigeo Yamamoto to get insights on the company’s practices, culture, and prospects for the future.
GMI: With growing competition, how does SANYO DENKI maintain its standing in the international arena, and what sets the company apart?
Yamamoto: Our policy is to provide uniform and quality products to customers everywhere. Our overseas branches serve as technical centers to provide better technical support, after-sales service, and customized service locally for our three product divisions.
Our competitive advantage centers on four areas. We make products with the highest performance, quality, and reliability. Also, we are specialists in customization. In addition, we strive to compete on performance; and that is where we are ahead.
GMI: How important is innovation and R&D to SANYO DENKI?
Yamamoto: We have a very good reputation with our customers and even potential customers; the real challenge is to make them focus on features, and not only on price. It is important to develop core technologies that allow us to develop high performing products, while also allowing for the incorporation of new developments that are important to society. Currently, we are integrating IoT (Internet of Things) technologies into our products.
With different markets having varying demands, we use our worldwide network of technical centers to collaborate and gather information from each region. This is then combined with the main R&D center in Japan. Through these processes, we maintain innovativeness and continue developing better products.
GMI: What are your focus areas in development, and how do these assist in overcoming industry or market challenges?
Yamamoto: When we develop products, we always focus on safety, environment and new energy. We believe this gives us an edge over our competitors and keeps us relevant in all types of market. With these factors, we are better equipped to develop special features and abilities that might be overlooked by our competitors.
GMI: What are your priorities in the next few years and how is SANYO DENKI working towards them?
Yamamoto: SANYO DENKI has around 3,000 employees, and our biggest motivation is to work together towards the same goal of developing world-leading products. We will continue to do so for all customers regardless of geographical location. We are also developing a system that provides customers with real-time updates on the production process and status – a unique aspect in the industry. Another priority is automation of our factories to focus on the idea of total efficiency.
