Misumi eyes European expansion

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 14, 2006

The Misumi Group is aiming at full-scale entry into the European FA market, the second largest in the world, through an integrated front-end/back-end approach.

To date, Misumi Group has pursued the development of its business operations overseas focusing management resources on East China and North America.

Now it plans to achieve its target of becoming profitable on a monthly basis in these regions during the current fiscal year and is looking ahead to the next phase.

In order to fully exploit the effects of the merger with Suruga Seiki and pursue full-scale global development as the engine for future growth, the Misumi Group has decided to invest a total of about JPY 1100 million in three other regions: South China, Asia (Thailand) and Europe.

Through this large-scale investment going beyond the business team framework, Misumi aims to establish its unique strategic concept - the Misumi QCT Model - combining: "front-end innovation" to bring about a radical change in distribution routes, with catalogue sales as the trigger; and "back-end innovation" to bring about a radical change in manufacturing methods, with product standardisation as the trigger.

Misumi has invested in the establishment of a QCT centre in Germany and a Suruga Seiki production base in Poland in 2006 and 2007.

Up to the present, the investment of management resources in the European market has been a relatively low priority for Misumi, which has restricted its business in Europe to small-scale operations.

However, Misumi plans for its China and US operations to move into profit on a monthly basis in the current fiscal year and is advancing to the next phase of its strategy in those regions.

It therefore plans to shift to a more aggressive strategy for the European market this term and embark on advance investment.

The Misumi Group is aiming at full-scale entry into the European FA market, the second largest in the world, through an integrated front-end/back-end approach.

Via the QCT centre Misumi can now offer 5600 items available as stock from just 1-2 days delivery, dependant on the buyer's location.

Located in the vicinity of Frankfurt Germany, Misumi Europa will increase its range continually starting in March 2007 to offer 6800 items available as stock from the factory automation components range.

The new Misumi factory automation catalogue will not be launched until the New Year, but all customers wishing to investigate the components offered with this service are advised to visit the Misumi homepage, where a stock brochure can be downloaded.

As from Jan 2007 Misumi/Suruga Seiki will be offering joint manufacturing from their plant in Gdansk, Poland.

Currently all machined items are shipped via the Misumi manufacturing bases located around Japan, which can sometimes slow down deliveries to customers.

When the plant opens Misumi hopes to dramatically reduce delivery times for machined parts.

While the facilities are being transferred to the European base, Misumi's renowned precision quality will not be affected.

Using Misumi already partner Suruga will ensure the Misumi QCT Model is upheld.

The Misumi CAD portal is becoming the preferred portal for all designers/engineers working on the design and development of customised factory automation and special purpose machines.

Offering over 100,000 components to be customised in up to 0.01mm and downloaded in both 2 and 3D formats compatible with over 15 CAD packages, there is always a solution found via Misumi CAD portal.

Online quotations, and e-facilities are just the initial steps towards a fully automated e-commerce system to enable our customers to conduct all their activities online.

Already launched in the USA Misumi hopes to bring the e-commerce system to the European market next.