2017-1

Worldwide News
Japan’s Yaskawa expanding strategically
in Europe
Japanese technology group Yaskawa is focusing to intensify
its presence in Europe, with the aim of becoming one of the
leading manufacturers of industrial robots in strategic target
markets. The company plans to expand its production
capacities and open a new robot manufacturing plant and a
new European robotics development centre in Slovenia.
Creating 200 additional jobs in the process. The first Yaskawa
Austrian company NKE completes 20
successful years in the bearings industry
NKE, the bearing manufacturer based in the Austrian city of Steyr
is celebrating its 20 th anniversary. The company, by Heimo Ebner
and Harald Zerobin, produces bearings for all industrial applications,
with engineering, product development, production,
logistics, sales and marketing being centralised at its Steyr
headquarters. The company operates its sales through 12 international
offices and 240 distribution outlets in 60 countries. In its first
10 years, NKE saw rapid growth, with its turnover increasing on
average by more than 20 % a year. To keep up with the growth, the
company invested more than 15 million Euros to build its new
premises in Stadtgut Steyr business park in 2009. This investment
helped NKE double its production capacity. In 2016, the Spanish
company ‘Fersa Bearings’ acquired 49 % interest in NKE. The
resulting group of companies now boasts 3 production sites, 5
distribution centres, and 3 R&D locations. After guiding the
company for 20 years, both its two founders Heimo Ebner and
Harald Zerobin passed the company’s management on to Thomas
Witzler in July 2016. With their expertise and experience they
continue to actively deal with NKE’s vision and strategic planning
for the coming decades.
robots from all-European production are expected to roll in
2018. The factory should satisfy about 80 % of the European
demand for robots. Total investments are estimated to be in
the order of 25 million euros. As one of the top global players
in the industrial robot sector with more than 350,000 units
sold, Yaskawa is pursuing an ambitious expansion strategy in
Europe. The new production and development capacities will
permit faster customized robotic solutions in Europe. This
will also strengthen the cooperation with OEMs in these
markets. Yaskawa is expanding its European activities
through investments in the existing robot business as well as
electric drive technology, industrial control technology and
‘Green Energy’.
www.yaskawa.eu.com
Caption: NKE founders Heimo Ebner (left) and Harald Zerobin
(right) with General Manager Thomas Witzler (centre)
www.nke.at/en/home
NEWS AND MARKETS
Mayr power transmission expands its existing facility
Since the ground-breaking ceremony in mid 2016, much has
happened on the construction site of the new facility at Mayr
power transmission in Mauerstetten. Currently, trapezoidal
sheets are being installed on the roof. Therefore, the roofing
ceremony for the new facility took place back in November in
the presence of numerous representatives from the companies
involved in the construction. Owing to smooth construction
process, it has been possible to cover the site according to plan
before the winter. Over the winter months, the interior
construction will take place, so that it will be possible to move
into the new hall by approximately mid-2017. The new
production and assembly hall has a length of 105 m and a
width of 45 m, occupying a total floor area of 4 500 m 2 . The
assembly, dispatch and a warehouse close to the assembly will
be located in the new facility. Around 600 m² office area,
appropriate meeting and engineering rooms have been
planned in the building. Mayr Power transmission is investing
heavily in its Mauerstetten location with this new site along
with the new communications centre simultaneously being
built on the premises.
www.mayr.com
WORLD OF INDUSTRIES – MOTION, DRIVE & AUTOMATION 1/2017