igus Expands Japan Operations with New Tochigi Sakura Plant to Support Growth

Germany-based igus has strengthened its presence in Japan with the completion of its new Tochigi Sakura Plant in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture. The facility was officially inaugurated during a ceremony held on June 2 by igus k.k., the company’s Japanese subsidiary headquartered in Tokyo. The new site represents a significant step in the company’s local expansion strategy and is expected to improve operational efficiency by bringing together multiple functions under one location.

The newly completed plant consolidates four separate assembly and warehouse facilities that had previously been spread across Tochigi Prefecture. By centralizing these operations, the company expects to streamline logistics, improve coordination, and enhance responsiveness to customer requirements. The project forms part of igus’ broader effort to strengthen its supply chain and support growing demand across key industrial sectors in the Japanese market.

The Tochigi Sakura Plant has a floor area of approximately 10,000 square meters and is situated on a site spanning 40,000 square meters. The facility has been designed to support local customization activities for products manufactured at igus production locations in Germany and other countries. These customized solutions will then be supplied to customers throughout Japan, helping the company better address local market requirements.

Tochigi Sakura Plant Facility Overview

The new manufacturing and logistics center has been developed to support future expansion and product localization activities.

igus plans to use the facility to customize automotive and semiconductor-related products before delivery to domestic customers. The company also intends to broaden its product portfolio in Japan, including offerings such as resin bearings and cable products. This localized approach is expected to improve service levels and enable faster adaptation to customer-specific requirements across multiple industries.

According to the company, its latest annual sales reached approximately JPY 200 billion. During the inauguration, Chief Executive Officer Artur Peplinski stated, “We aim to double our global sales in five years. We also aim to achieve the same level of growth in Japan.” Although the company does not publicly disclose regional financial results, Japan continues to be regarded as one of its most important markets worldwide.

The investment highlights igus’ confidence in long-term opportunities within Japan and reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening local manufacturing, customization capabilities, and customer support. By combining operational consolidation with future product expansion plans, the Tochigi Sakura Plant is expected to play a central role in supporting the company’s growth ambitions in the years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the new igus Tochigi Sakura Plant?
The new Tochigi Sakura Plant was established to consolidate four separate assembly and warehouse facilities into a single location in Japan. The facility supports local customization of automotive and semiconductor products manufactured in Germany and other countries before delivery to Japanese customers. In addition to improving operational efficiency, the plant is expected to strengthen logistics, expand product offerings such as resin bearings and cables, and support igus’ long-term growth strategy in the Japanese market.

How large is the Tochigi Sakura Plant facility?
The Tochigi Sakura Plant is built on a 40,000-square-meter site and includes approximately 10,000 square meters of floor space. The facility serves as a centralized hub for assembly, warehousing, and product customization activities. By consolidating four previously separate locations into one modern facility, igus aims to improve operational coordination, increase efficiency, and create additional capacity to support future business growth and customer demand across Japan.

What growth targets has igus announced?
igus has stated that it aims to double its global sales within the next five years while pursuing similar growth in Japan. The company reported annual sales of approximately JPY 200 billion and considers Japan one of its major markets worldwide. Investments such as the Tochigi Sakura Plant are intended to support these ambitions by enhancing local capabilities, expanding product availability, improving customer service, and strengthening the company’s competitive position in the region.