Realizing local production and consumption in Europe — The challenge of SANYO DENKI EUROPE's new factory

We live in an age where having a manufacturing base is no longer just a means of production but a sign of trust rooted in the local area. In order to better meet the needs of the European market, the SANYO DENKI Group opened a new stepping motor assembly plant in France in 2024.
We spoke to the factory manager, who is a central member of the project, about the strategic significance and unique local initiatives.

What is the background behind the establishment of the group's third assembly plant?

SANYO DENKI Group is a corporate group with international operations. Although it certainly has its roots in Japan, its growth has been achieved through challenges that transcend national borders.

This internationality gives the Group broad growth possibilities, but it also comes with a responsibility to take into account the specifics of each region of the world: understanding global challenges and differentiating our products to suit local conditions.

Like any major international company, our local efforts are delivered through sustainable resources tailored to the needs of each local area.
Sanyo Denki Europe (SDE), a group company, has been conducting sales activities in Europe for over 35 years, contributing to advanced product development in Europe. Although it has been working while sharing technology and know-how with customers, it was necessary to take the next step.

In today's European market, it is becoming increasingly important for SANYO DENKI to demonstrate its position as a "local production partner."
That means you need to take the following factors into consideration:

• Compliance with EU regulations and standards
• Environmental Considerations
• Customer Partner Needs

To consolidate its natural presence and technological leadership in Europe, it was essential for the Group to expand its production capacities there.

What is the role of this factory and how is it different from other assembly sites?

This factory is a facility that accurately reflects the group's goals.
We aim to manufacture high quality products that meet the individual needs of our customers.

First of all, "production according to demand" is important
Mass production can no longer meet the needs of the market, so our factory has a system in place that allows us to stock the necessary components and assemble them into a variety of finished products.
This allows for flexible and rapid local production without restrictions such as transportation time and customs procedures. We also have a system in place that allows us to support our customers' new product development from the prototype stage onwards.
Furthermore, we are also working to "reduce our impact on the global environment," an issue that concerns all of us. We procure parts twice a year, aiming to consolidate transportation and reduce the use of air freight. In addition, packaging materials are designed to be reused when shipping the final product.

What is the position of this factory within the overall group?

The factory is ideally suited to be a sustainable production site with local characteristics.

• Our procurement is based on plans that take into account customer forecasts (demand forecasts). Based on partnerships with our customers, we look ahead to market needs one year in advance.
• The parts are manufactured at our existing production facilities and their quality is highly appreciated by our customers.
• At SDE's assembly plant, we inspect the supplied parts and assemble them according to the needs. Assembly plans are also formulated according to demand.
• In addition to quality control during production, final performance inspections are also carried out after the product is completed. This factory allows us to carry out our work locally in Europe while maintaining the same quality level and procedures as our headquarters factory and SDP factory.

What products and types of assemblies are primarily assembled in this factory?

In our factory, we carry out various types of assembly work, specifically as follows:

• Assembling a stepping motor (size: 42mm)
• Assembling the stepper motor and lead screw
• Assembling the stepper motor and encoder
• Servo motor and gearbox assembly

Please tell us about the atmosphere at the site and the team composition.

Setting up this new factory required a great deal of energy from all SDE employees.
Through this effort, it became clear that our existing facilities were not suitable for this project, so the first task we all faced was relocating our offices.
After the new building was selected, various adjustments had to be made to adapt the facility to its new uses and to accommodate the construction of the future production plant.

The overall contribution and effort of each and every employee is worth mentioning.
This factory would never have been possible without the dedication of our employees.
Of course, it wasn't all challenges.
There was also a positive aspect in that the team's ties were strengthened through the common goal of "creating something together." A company is founded on "taking on challenges together."
Now, I feel that the entire team is proud of having succeeded in launching this new base.

When setting up this new factory, what did you focus on in particular in terms of human resource development and creating a good working environment?

From a technical point of view, CE standards (European Conformity Standards) are a major legal hurdle when importing certain equipment into Europe.
This process takes a lot of time, but thanks to the support of the MC-E team, we were able to successfully install the equipment.

Are there any themes that you are prioritizing?

With this new production facility, our primary focus is to increase our presence among our customers and to be recognized as a reliable support partner for their product development.
SDE's top priority is supporting the development of custom products for each customer, which ultimately leads to hands-on support for customers.

Currently, we develop 50 to 70 new projects per year.

• 42% are Motion Company-related projects
• 58% are SanAce Company related projects

These development projects are not necessarily produced at SDE. Approximately 70% of them are intended for mass production at the head office factory.
Therefore, full support from the parent group is essential, and only then can new product development proceed smoothly.

Finally, do you have a message for your partners and future colleagues both inside and outside the company?

SANYO DENKI Group is a trusted partner in the manufacturing industry. We have grown by focusing on our core technologies and commitment to manufacturing quality.
Building on our know-how and team expertise, we will continue to tackle global challenges:

• Achieving environmentally friendly manufacturing in a better way
• Reducing the burden on natural resources through local production
• By producing locally, we can gain a deeper understanding of industry needs and optimize our products.
• Bringing the knowledge of the Japanese headquarters back to European customers
• Strengthen the Group's brand power and expand its presence

summary

"Make locally, deliver locally" -- this is not just a pursuit of efficiency, but also a choice to build trust with partners. What kind of future will this new factory shape? Attention is focused on future developments.

Published date: 2025-07-23 14:30