TRUMPF officially opened a new production facility, TRUMPF Manufacturing Japan, in Fukushima on April 22. The products to be manufactured are primarily aimed at applications in Japan. In combination with the compact and automated TRUMPF sheet metal processing machines, these comply especially well with the requirements of the Japanese market due to their comparatively small foot print. The new production site will work closely with local suppliers to increase competitive advantage.
During the first investment phase, 35 employees will work in the new 4,500 sq. m. production plant. It is located on a 31.000 sq. m. area that allows a further extension. So far, TRUMPF has invested more than US$14 million.
Before the opening on April 22, six months of extensive reconstruction and renovation work had to be accomplished on the former site of an automotive industry supplier. The excellent infrastructure with access to train and highways played an important role in the location selection.
"We are crowning 30 successful years with our Japanese sales and service company by setting a further milestone. Our new subsidiary TRUMPF Manufacturing Japan produces and also develops automation and warehousing concepts," explained Dr. Mathias Kammüller, head of the TRUMPF Machine Tool and Power Tool Division.
For TRUMPF, Japan is among the top five markets worldwide. The company's involvement in the "land of the rising sun" has a long tradition. In 1977, TRUMPF started off with sales and services of machine tools for the local market. Today, the company offers its complete range of products and reached sales of 100 million Euro (1.55 billion Yen) in fiscal year 2006/07.
Around 180 employees work for TRUMPF in Japan, including those of the new production site in Fukushima.