Nikon Corporation announces the formation of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc., a customer-centric digital manufacturing solutions company in the United States. The new company will begin its operation in July 2023 and will be based in California. Specifically, it will serve as the global headquarters of the Advanced Manufacturing Business Unit established in April 2023. The company’s launch marks a significant milestone in the Nikon Vision 2030 strategic plan set forth in Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2022 – 2025).

The new company’s capital amounts to US$25m with Hamid Zarringhalam sitting as CEO and Yuichi Shibazaki as Co-CEO.

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 seamlessly, with a strategic emphasis on digital manufacturing. By building on the century-long Nikon foundation of cutting-edge opto-electronics and precision technologies, coupled with its iconic brand that is synonymous with trust, Nikon believes it will enable innovations in manufacturing with applied optics application technologies together with customers and partners.

Accelerate Advance Manufacturing

In 2019, Nikon established a specialized division to accelerate the launch of new growth businesses such as advanced manufacturing. The company leveraged synergies resulting from strategic investments. Among them is the 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. Since then, Nikon has taken major steps toward the industrialization of digital manufacturing.

These transformative programs culminated in the exciting launch of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc. Specifically, it 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. Moreover, the new company will also be responsible for the existing additive manufacturing business. The California location provides excellent proximity to customers and partners including the aerospace, space and defense industries, and will bring together a highly skilled, diverse and inclusive team focused on the success of the organization and its customers.

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, Inc. combines extensive Nikon experience in high-tech manufacturing with the tremendous capabilities of SLM and Morf3D. Nikon envisions providing options for holistic, industrialized and fully scalable solutions, including enabling global turn-key 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.

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

Yuichi Shibazaki, Co-CEO, explained, “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. 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.”