Process of Internationalization Continued: Jenoptik has a Presence in Japan Through Majority Stake


Together with its longstanding partner Kantum Electronics Co. Ltd. Jenoptik is expanding its presence in Japan. JENOPTIK Laserdiode Japan Co., the previous joint venture which mainly specialized in the sale of diode lasers is being renamed with JENOPTIK Japan Co., Ltd. with immediate effect and is now available to assist all divisions of the Jenoptik Group.

Kantum Electronics and Jenoptik are expanding their successful collaboration in the Japanese market. 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. In order to expand the sale to other products of the Group with nearly two thirds of the shares Jenoptik will become the majority shareholder in the joint venture which is named JENOPTIK Japan Co., Ltd. with immediate effect. In future Kantum Electronics will hold just over one third of the shares. JENOPTIK Japan Co., Ltd., which is based in Yokohama, currently 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, who is currently visiting customers and partners of Jenoptik in Asia. "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, longstanding collaboration with Kantum Electronics."

At the beginning of this year Jenoptik had already 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 for diode and solid state lasers is currently also being expanded. This will enable Japanese customers to be supplied quickly and reliably with samples or demo equipment on a local basis. In the coming year the Optical Systems division also plans to strongly expand its activities in Japan.

"The expanded product range and new service structures provide us with a good starting basis for the company's continued development" stated Itaru Kubo, President of Jenoptik Japan.

2010 was the "Year of Asia" for Jenoptik. Upward trend in sales in Asia.
In Japan Jenoptik is taking another step toward internationalization in Asia. In March 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 2010 Jenoptik will increase its sales in Asia compared with the previous year. In addition to sales which 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." said Jenoptik Chairman Dr. Michael Mertin.
Jena/Tokyo, November 16, 2010

About the photo: Itaru Kubo and Michael Mertin after signing the contract

About Jenoptik
As an integrated optoelectronics group Jenoptik operates in the five divisions Lasers & Material Processing, Optical Systems, Industrial Metrology, Traffic Solutions and Defense & Civil Systems. Its customers around the world mainly include companies in the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturing industry, automotive and automotive supplier industry, medical technology, security and defense technology as well as the aerospace industry. You may find further information on JENOPTIK Japan here.

About Kantum Electronics (www.kantum.co.jp)

KANTUM ELECTRONICS Co, Ltd. was formed in 1977. The company has been a leading importer/distributor of lasers and optical instruments in Japan for more than 30 years, the success and experience of which in these areas is not just based on market know-how but also on the abilities of the technical service personnel. In addition to the sale of lasers KANTUM ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd. manufactures a number of peripheral products such as power units, coolers etc. This increases the company's sales and creates customer satisfaction. The company today employs 25 experienced personnel.

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