When he was assigned by Yaskawa Corp. to the U.S. subsidiary in the Midwest following the global financial fallout in 2010, Masahiro Ogawa recognized an opportunity.
While manufacturers across the country were downsizing and cutting investment in capital equipment, Yaskawa America, through its automation technologies, was in a unique position to help reverse its clients’ troubles.
Four years later, Yaskawa America, which has operated in the United States for 47 years, saw its revenue surge 50 percent, from $400 million to $600 million.
Yaskawa, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015, is the world’s largest manufacturer of AC inverter drives, servo and motion controls and robotics automation systems.
In the United States, Yaskawa America’s Motoman robotics business supports the recovery of the automotive sector, while its motion business works closely with its machine tool and semiconductor customers.
“I have spent a lot of time encouraging more collaboration between our motion and robot divisions. There is strong potential for new business in robotics and ease of use is key in promoting robotics. We have to change the process to make it more efficient and seamless, with one interface, one platform and one human machine interface,” said Ogawa, Yaskawa America’s chairman and chief executive officer and a veteran in robotics.
Since his arrival, Yaskawa America has acquired three companies. In July, it bought photovoltaic inverter company Solectria Renewables.
“Acquisition is very significant for our business because it’s how we expand our channels. The acquisition of Solectria, allowed us to acquire a business that already had a brand position. They will help us grow because of synergies that we will acquire on the technological side,” he said.
Supported by such acquisitions, Yaskawa America hopes to achieve sales of $1 billion dollars in the coming years across its territory, which stretches across the Americas.
“Yaskawa America leads our global business effort. What happens here has effects everywhere else. If Yaskawa America is more successful, then our global business will become more successful,” he said.
- Originally prepared by Global Media for The Japan Times Special Report on the U.S. Midwest 2014 (Credit: Philippe Le Saux, Angelo Romualdez, Elizabeth Arcega and Brian Banta)
