login
Sanoh Industrial CEO Takeda Supporting the Supply Chain; “Last Man Standing” Strategy; and Taking on New Challenges
-
-
Exclusive Interview
Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd.
Genya Takeda, President, CEO, and COO
Table of Contents
-
As long as OEMs continue to build engines, we will contribute until the very last one
-
The "Survivor's Advantage" becomes a reality in North America
-
China shifts from a “Market for Sales” to a “Support Hub”
-
We are returning to our roots and taking on the challenge of diversification
-
Going forward, reliability in maintenance, fastening, and leak prevention will be crucial
About This Interview
Amid the ongoing shift toward electric vehicles (BEVs), Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd. (Sanoh Industrial) has chosen to remain in the market for automotive piping products for internal combustion engines (ICE), a sector where competitors are withdrawing or scaling back, and has adopted a unique strategy called the “Sanoh Last Man Standing Strategy” to maximize the benefits of being the last player in the market. In North America, the advantages of being a market survivor are beginning to manifest in concrete ways, including the reassignment of orders from competitors, an increase in new orders, and an improved environment for price negotiations. Conversely, in China, instead of simply pursuing the expansion of parts sales, the company is re-evaluating the positioning of its operations in each region, such as utilizing its facilities as sites to support activities regarding equipment, development, procurement, and exports.
In addition, by leveraging the technology and quality assurance expertise it has cultivated in the automotive parts industry, the company is working to develop new business areas, such as data center cooling and factory automation (FA). We spoke with Mr. Genya Takeda, President, CEO, and COO, about the background of the “Last Man Standing” strategy and its results in North America; regional strategies, including those for China and India; future growth areas such as the data center cooling business; and Sanoh Industrial’s vision for 2030.
This exclusive interview is for paid members only.
If you register as a free member, you can read the rest of this article for a limited time.
In addition, you can also enjoy the following content for free:
Question List
-
About This Interview
-
Q1Given that from around 2020, a rapid shift to BEVs was expected, how did you view the internal combustion engine (ICE) business, and what led you to adopt the “Last Man Standing” strategy?
-
Q2In 2025, Sanoh Industrial invested approximately JPY 2 billion to acquire a Mexican company. What were the reasons behind the decision to acquire the company, and what business opportunities did you foresee in North America?
-
Q3Is the shift toward the "Last Man Standing" strategy spreading to products other than FIR?
-
Q4At the earnings briefing, it was explained that "in North and South America, an environment is being created where market survivors can enjoy benefits, and the power to set prices is also being developed."
-
Q5How do you plan to position your China operations going forward?
-
Q6Do you think that the shift to electrified vehicles (xEVs) will also lead to a decline in the demand for brake lines in China?
-
Q7How do you plan to expand your business in India, which you have identified as a priority market?
-
Q8During its early stages, Sanoh Industrial was involved in a variety of businesses. Does that DNA still carry over to the company's current ventures into new businesses?
-
Q9How far along is the data center cooling business, one of these new ventures, at this point?
-
Q10In the data center sector, how can the technology developed for the automotive industry be put to use?
-
Q11Looking ahead to fiscal year 2030, what is your vision for the proportion between the automotive business and other businesses?
-
Q12In addition to data centers, do you have any other plans for new business ventures?
-
Editor's Note
Japan
+81-3-4241-3907
USA
Mexico
Germany
China (Shanghai)
Thailand
India
free for 1 week
Online Demo