TOKYO, Japan, June 12, 2001 -- Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE : HIT),
and Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (TSE : 6516) have agreed to an
alliance regarding their AC servomotor operations. Under the agreement,
the two companies will strengthen their high-performance AC servomotor
products by combining Hitachi's superior low-cogging torque and top-speed
positioning control technologies with Sanyo Denki's wide-ranging product
lineup. They will also consider supplementing each other's AC servomotor
related products as well as the integration of their production facilities.
AC servomotors are widely used as motive
units for such devices as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, component
mounting devices, and transport machinery. Japan's servomotor market
showed strong growth in fiscal 2000, totaling approximately 133.1
billion yen, or 135% of the previous year's value. (source: JEMA
2001)
In recent years, requirements for AC
servo systems have become increasingly diverse due continual improvements
in product performance, conversion to open interfaces, more economic
use of wiring, and the globalization of all aspects of the industry,
including service. Given these circumstances, shorter access time
to market and enhanced cost competitiveness are crucial factors.
Hitachi possesses numerous basic patents
covering motors and manufactures the industry's top level AC servomotors,
comprising mostly high-end types. It is also proactively expanding
into such business segments as energy saving solutions, FA systems
solutions, and motor drive systems that combine such multiple elements
as programmable controllers and general purpose inverters.
Sanyo Denki possesses a wide lineup
of AC servomotor products and has solid track record in the business
as well as flexible customizing capabilities. Its copious product
mix also includes such products as two-, three-, and five-phase stepping
motors as well as the compact AC servo system, PB, a breakthrough
device that incorporates the benefits of both AC servomotors and stepping
motors.
The alliance will enable the fusion of Hitachi's industry-leading
AC servomotor technologies and Sanyo Denki's wide-ranging product
lineup and superb manufacturing technologies as well as the rollout
of a world-leading AC servomotor business in terms of both product
performance and selection. Furthermore, by supplementing each other's
products, Hitachi and Sanyo Denki will strive to enhance the efficiency
of their operations by better meeting diversifying customer needs,
strengthening solutions operations, avoiding overlapping investments
and abbreviating times to market.
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