Tokyo, Japan – Together with its long-standing partner Kantum Electronics Co. Ltd., Jenoptik, Jena, Germany, is expanding its presence in Japan. Jenopitk Laserdiode Japan Co., the previous joint venture that mainly specialized in diode lasers, has been renamed Jenoptik Japan Co. Ltd. and is now available to assist all divisions of the Jenoptik Group.
In 2005, the two partners formed a joint venture for the sale of diode lasers in Japan in which Jenoptik held just over one-third of the shares. To expand sales to other products of the Group, Jenoptik has become the majority shareholder in the joint venture with nearly two thirds of the shares. In the future, Kantum Electronics will hold just over one third of the shares. Jenoptik Japan Co., Ltd., which is based in Yokohama, employs six personnel.
“We are following the model that we have successfully developed in Korea and India over the last two years and taking another important step forward in our process of internationalization in the growth market of Asia” said Jenoptik Chairman Michael Mertin. “It is important to have direct access to the market. We are simultaneously extremely pleased and proud of the fact that we are continuing the successful, long-standing collaboration with Kantum Electronics.”
At the beginning of this year, Jenoptik added solid state lasers and laser processing systems to the product range of the Lasers & Material Processing division in Japan and expanded relevant local service capacities. In addition to the increase in the sales team, the Customer Center customers will be supplied quickly and reliably with samples or demo equipment on a local basis.
In March of this year, the Group had already opened a Laser Application Center in the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek (Province of Gyeonggi, 70 km south of Seoul) in which a total of approx. 3.4 million euros were invested (predominantly in 2009). In China, the new building in the Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao Industrial Zone was officially opened in May this year and will house the new training and presentation rooms primarily for the Industrial Metrology division.
For the full year, the company will increase it sales in Asia compared with the previous year. In addition to sales that Jenoptik generates through globally operating OEM customers in Asia, sales of 36 million euros were generated directly in this fastest growing economic region. At the end of the 3rd quarter 2010 sales already amounted to 34.5 million euros, compared with 24.5 million euros in the same period last year.
“We see great potential for Jenoptik’s products and technologies in Asia. Our direct presence will enable us to service the market intensively and with all divisions. This allows us to support our demanding customers in the best possible way with the innovation power and technology of our company and to influence the dynamics in these markets,” added Mertin.