Leoni establishes the Leoni WCS Japan K.K. company. This new entity combines activities of the Wire & Cable Solutions division (WCS) of Leoni in the Japanese market and will lead to an expansion of the previous business via a local office in Nagoya.

“We are confident to gain a stronger foothold in the Japanese market thanks to the new local operations. The country is leading in several high-tech and industrial areas, and Leoni is perfectly meeting the Japanese need for sophisticated products like special cables and cable systems for healthcare and industrial applications. Moreover, we consider Japan to be a strategic bridgehead to the entire Asian continent,” says Dr Klaus Probst, President and CEO of Leoni AG.

For several years, Leoni has been developing its business in Japan through own projects and co-operations. With the foundation of the new Leoni WCS Japan K.K. company, several activities, which have formerly been driven independently, will be bundled in a local sales office. The new subsidiary’s objectives are to strengthen and enhance existing projects as well as to establish new business in different markets.

The office will be located in the city of Nagoya, its region being also home to several existing and future customers. Starting on 4 January 2010, business operations initially focus on the Healthcare and Industrial Solutions business units, the latter comprising robotic, machinery, automation & drives. Leoni’s agents in the area of robotics have already made business since 1999, dealing with companies like Fanuc, Honda, Kyouchou, Futabe Industrial or Fuji Assembly. Leoni also intends to extend its existing Japanese activities in the field of automotive cables, solar, fiber optics and copper solutions.

Besides local projects, Leoni has until now been generating turnover with European or American subsidiaries of Japanese companies. With the help of the new local presence, it will be easier for Leoni to expand its operations to the headquarters of those customers.