Nikon Sets Up New U.S.-based Company Focused on Digital Manufacturing

Nikon Corp. announces formation of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc. (Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO and Yuichi Shibazaki, co-CEO) and will begin its operation in July 2023. This new digital manufacturing solutions company will be based in California, and serve as the global headquarters of the Advanced Manufacturing Business Unit established in April 2023.

The company's launch marks a milestone in the Nikon Vision 2030 strategic plan set forth in Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2022-2025).

In its Vision 2030 statement, Nikon established the goal to become a key technology solutions company in a global society where humans and machines co-create, emphasizing digital manufacturing. Nikon suggests it will enable innovations in manufacturing with applied optics application technologies together with customers and partners.

In 2019, Nikon established a specialized division to accelerate the launch of new growth businesses such as advanced manufacturing. Since then, by leveraging synergies resulting from strategic investments including acquisition of SLM Solutions Group AG (SLM), a global provider of integrated metal additive manufacturing solutions, and prior to that, Morf3D Inc. (Morf3D), a provider of end-to-end solutions in additive manufacturing, Nikon has taken steps towards the industrialization of digital manufacturing, the company reports.

These programs culminated in thelaunch of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc., which will be in charge of scaling and managing all assets including organically developed as well as consolidation, synergizing, harmonization and governance of acquired entities.

This will be the first time in its more than 100-year history, that the global headquarters of a Nikon business unit will be outside of Japan. SLM, Morf3D and other Nikon digital manufacturing investments will consolidate within Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc. and the new company will also be responsible for existing additive manufacturing business. The California location provides proximity to customers and partners including the aerospace, space and defense industries, and will bring together a skilled, diverse team, company says.

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing combines extensive Nikon experience in high-tech manufacturing with capabilities of SLM and Morf3D. Nikon envisions providing options for holistic, industrialized and fully scalable solutions, including enabling global turnkey factory opportunities for customers at locations of their choosing. In addition, SLM and Morf3D will continue to separately support their own customers' programs and requirements.

“In recent years, Nikon has executed pivotal investments and bold acquisitions focused on building a comprehensive portfolio of technology, industry knowledge and vision,” says Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO. 

“Nikon DED additive, subtractive and CT scanning solutions are perfectly complemented by the industry-leading L-PBF systems from SLM Solutions as well as Morf3D's strong innovation pipeline and specialized aerospace qualifications,” Yuichi Shibazaki, co-CEO, explains “Nikon Advanced Manufacturing will enable us to work together with our partners and customers to unlock the incredible potential of advanced manufacturing and contribute to a more sustainable society.”

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.