As a leading manufacturer of high-end, top quality submersible pumps in Japan, Sakuragawa Pumps, for more than 50 years, has been a good representative of the Japanese concept of monozukuri, or craftsmanship. With its recently appointed president, Naruhito Konuma, the Osaka-based company is focused on innovation as its main strategy for global expansion.
“We are very confident about our products and our domestic customers are satisfied with them. In Japan, our name is well known; but not overseas. So, promoting our brand name and product is the first step,” Konuma explained.
In 2015, Sakuragawa, was acquired by AKTIO, Japan’s third-largest construction company, a merger that has benefitted both sides. As a well-established company in Japan and overseas, AKTIO easily identifies supply opportunities for Sakuragawa to meet. This synergy has generated more business for the two companies.
Currently, Sakuragawa has a presence in overseas markets, such as Canada, Australia and Europe. But, the company wants to strengthen its business in the United States because of its geographical size and a discerning market that can appreciate their well-crafted products.
In its global expansion plans, Sakuragawa is targeting partnerships with local distributors and is focusing on four sectors, namely mining, irrigation, dredging and construction.
“I believe in the strength of working with AKTIO and focusing on our core products. As the new president, my vision is to make this company active and dynamic. We will need to be always changing. Otherwise, we won’t survive,” Konuma stressed.
