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A Japanese hydraulic pump manufacturer is seeking distribution partners in the EU. The company established its current position by selling hydraulic pumps in its domestic market for over half a century. To expand their business, they are targeting EU markets where they currently do not have an extensive network.

The company produces high pressure (70Mpa, 700Bar) hydraulic pumps in Japan. They have 40 types of pumps, which range from small sizes for hydraulic tools to industrial use. They are also able to customize hydraulic pump units for end-users where necessary. The pumps have a range of possible applications depending on size:

- Small pumps are used with hydraulic cutters, presses, jack ups, spreaders, lifters, and crump at factories on-site.

- Industrial pumps are used at food factories, automobile factories, and heavy construction sites.

The company is at this point in time the leading manufacturer of hydraulic pumps in Japan. Over the past 68 years they have acquired wide-ranging knowledge in a large variety of industries and is able to provide solutions for the cylinders, presses, valves, pullers and tools used in various applications. For example, large Japanese automakers use their pumps as a hydraulic power source for jacking up, wire cutting, pressing steel and so on at their factories. Their pumps are also widely used for replacement and pulling old water pipes at homes, offices, and factories. Sesame and camellia oil manufacturers also use a hydraulic oil press to expel oil, which is the conventional method. In Denmark, their products are chosen as a hydraulic power source for changing wind powered propellers.

In the EU the company is looking for partners with connections to similar sectors as their current domestic market. They want to engage in a distribution services agreement with potential partners and pro-actively work together with potential EU partners, providing items that are the best solution for the end-users.

The Japanese company is willing to provide various kinds of support for partners. For example, dispatching staff when participating in exhibitions, providing English catalogues, training local staff in repair methods, and being reliable in promptly sending after-care parts where necessary. In addition, they can adjust machine’s colour and specifications based on the end-users needs.

Advantages & innovations

The Japanese company has an advantage in the compactness of their products compared to competitors. Conventional hydraulic pumps are heavy and not portable. By reviewing the parts used in manufacturing, the Japanese company has succeeded in developing a pump lighter than those of competitors, without sacrificing high pressure. Competitors’ products in the same size-range weigh 7.2 to 8 kilos, whereas the Japanese company produces as light as 7 kilos. All their hydraulic pumps are handmade in Japan. They also adopted a special tank structure meaning users do not need to worry about oil leaks when travelling by car or while using other methods of transportation. Their products are also customized and used by a large number of clients in their domestic market, which means the products are price-competitive.

Stage of development

JAPAN

Partner sought

The Japanese company is looking for a distributor with experience in machine tools, especially hydraulics, with a large network in the EU. They are hoping to reach end-users in sectors similar to those in their domestic market. Specifically, they are looking for local distributors dealing with hydraulic equipment such as hydraulic jacks, hydraulic cutters, hydraulic presses, hydraulic torque wrenches, hydraulic spreaders, and hydraulic pipe benders. This large variety of applications is the reason why it is desirable for partners to understand the possible applications of hydraulics and their potential in the EU market.