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50 years KYOCERA in Europe

For over 50 years, Kyocera has contributed to Europe’s development
with advanced technology and component solutions.
Discover more below:

1971 The Digital Age Begins 1971 The Digital Age Begins

In 1971, the world's first email was sent by Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer at BBN
Technologies in the United States. Originally developed for contacting colleagues that could
not be reached by phone, email soon became one of the world's most important computer
applications that would set the stage for future computing developments.

1971
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Thick Film Ceramic Substrates

Also in 1971, Kyocera set up a joint venture with Feldmühle, a leading producer of ceramics, papers, and other industrial products in Germany...

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Also in 1971, Kyocera set up a joint venture with Feldmühle, a leading producer of ceramics, papers, and other industrial products in Germany. Kyocera was originally founded as a "Kyoto Ceramic" in 1959 to develop ceramic components for TV cathode-ray tubes in Japan. After this, Kyocera quickly diversified into other new applications as the utility and customizability of ceramics became known throughout the electronics industry. Having already received international recognition and orders for ceramic substrates from IBM in the United States, soon after joining with Feldmühle in Germany, Kyocera became a leading supplier of ceramic substrates (pictured) to major semiconductor and electronics companies in Europe, helping advance the computer industry in the region.

1981 the Personal Computing Revolution 1981 the Personal Computing Revolution

In 1981, IBM entered the home computing market by releasing its first microcomputer for personal use,
the Personal Computer. While personal computers were available during the 1970s,
the industry saw a rapid rise through the 1980s as computers developed easy-to-use functions,
user-friendly graphical user interfaces, and more sophisticated applications and programs.
During the decade, computers in the workplace became the norm,
and the idea of a PC in every home would eventually become a reality.

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Ceramic Multilayer Semiconductor Packages

As the personal computer industry grew in the 1980s, Kyocera’s semiconductor...

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As the personal computer industry grew in the 1980s, Kyocera’s semiconductor ceramic packages and electronic components were critical to its development. In particular, because of industry trends toward greater memory capacity, Kyocera's ceramic packages were vital achieving improved technological capabilities. Other materials at the time could not stand up to the task of enabling higher processing capability for IC applications, so IC and ceramics became firmly linked as the industry depended on ceramics to develop. In particular, Kyocera's multilayer semiconductor packages (pictured), became widely used throughout the computing world, in addition to countless other ceramic substrates and electronic devices.

1991 A Single, Connected World 1991 A Single, Connected World

While the early internet began development in the
1960s, the current World Wide Web was invented by
Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1989, with the first
web browser released to the public in 1991.
By providing a framework that facilitated easy access of information
from the World Wide Web, the internet industry grew
rapidly,bringing greater economic growth and, for
the first time, a single, connected world.

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Fiber Optic Cable Components

During the 1990s, in the midst of the Internet's rapid rise, underwater fiber optic cables and satellites network systems were built...

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During the 1990s, in the midst of the Internet's rapid rise, underwater fiber optic cables and satellites network systems were built to support increased data transfer. Kyocera’s fiber optic cable components (pictured) were critical to the development of optical fiber cable systems in both ground and submarine applications, as well as for satellite network communications.

1995 International Actions On Climate Change 1995 International Actions On Climate Change

In 1995, the first Conference of Parties (COP 1)
was held in Berlin following the establishment of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
the preceding year. While later meetings of COP
established such international frameworks as the Kyoto Protocol,
COP 1 was significant as it marked some of the first joint
international measures targeted at combatting climate change.

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ECOSYS FS-1500

Kyocera’s first Ecosys printer model, FS-1500 (pictured), was released in 1992, three years before COP 1, as an innovative new concept for the office printing industry...

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Kyocera’s first Ecosys printer model, FS-1500 (pictured), was released in 1992, three years before COP 1, as an innovative new concept for the office printing industry. Ecosys used a unique long-life amorphous silicon photoreceptor drum component, developed by Kyocera leveraging expertise in advanced materials. As such, Ecosys printers could drastically reduce consumable waste over the printer's lifetime for an environmentally sustainable design and greater cost-efficiency. Later, in 1997, Kyocera's Ecosys FS-1700 and FS-3700 printer models became the first page printers in the world to acquire Germany's prestigious Blue Angel eco-label. Since Ecosys’ release, Kyocera has continued to focus on developing printing systems that prioritize eco-friendliness, and the company continues to be a forerunner in developing environmentally friendly products and services to this day.

2002 The Worlds Largest Single Market Opens for Business 2002 The Worlds Largest Single Market Opens for Business

In 2002 the Euro became the official legal
monetary tender of EU member states, and in
the process, facilitated the expansion of the
world's largest single market.

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KCE-107-12 Thermal Printhead for Barcode Printers

Kyocera's thermal printhead technology (pictured) has been used widely in barcode printing devices throughout Europe, helping facilitate smooth commerce with barcode printing...

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Kyocera's thermal printhead technology (pictured) has been used widely in barcode printing devices throughout Europe, helping facilitate smooth commerce with barcode printing in machines such as parking meters. In addition to thermal printheads, Kyocera also develops a wide range of printing device technologies, including amorphous silicon photoreceptor drums, LED-UV curing systems, high-speed inkjet printheads that utilize our proprietary fine ceramic technology to maximize efficiency and minimize waste, as well as fully-integrated copy and MFP systems.

2005 europe at the forefront of climate change initiatives 2005 europe at the forefront of climate change initiatives

The Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified and became effective in 2005, aims
to limit global greenhouse gas emissions. The goals outlined in the Kyoto
Protocol, of which the original treaty drafting in the 1990s benefited
greatly from leadership from then-German Environmental Minister
Angela Merkel, were further propelled by European leadership
and commitment to climate change action throughout the continent.

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KC175GH-2P Photovoltaic Modules Installed on the European Court of Justice

Well before it was popular, Kyocera began developing photovoltaic modules technology in 1975 after the first oil shock. Throughout the 2000s...

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Well before it was popular, Kyocera began developing photovoltaic modules technology in 1975 after the first oil shock. Throughout the 2000s, Kyocera's photovoltaic modules were adopted throughout Europe in order to increase the use of renewable energy. Kyocera's photovoltaic modules, highly regarded for their long-life durability and efficiency, were installed in the Swiss soccer stadium ’Stade de Suisse Wankdorf Bern’ (2005), at a 13.8 Megawatt super-large-scale solar electric generating system in Salamanca, Spain (2007), on the world’s highest photovoltaic plant on the Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps (2008), at a 30 MWp photovoltaic power plant in Castile-La Mancha region of the Spanish province of Cuenca (2008), and even at a 400kWp per year installation on the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg (pictured) that was completed in 2009.

2009 Pushing the Boundaries of Scientific Research 2009 Pushing the Boundaries of Scientific Research

In 2009, CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) began its first operational run.
The installation, 27 kilometers in circumference, is used for experiments in particle physics,
and was the site of the Higgs Boson discovery in 2012.

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Fine Ceramic Vacuum Chambers

Kyocera's Fine Ceramic components are used in the CERN to contribute to the advancement of scientific research. For the Large...

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Kyocera's Fine Ceramic components are used in the CERN to contribute to the advancement of scientific research. For the Large Hadron Collider, Kyocera developed custom vacuum chambers in collaboration with CERN, where they help to guide the movement of protons. Other ceramic components supplied for CERN include ceramic feed-throughs.

2014 The E-Mobility Revolution 2014 The E-Mobility Revolution

In 2014, Formula E became the first major automotive racing
championship to feature exclusively electric cars, and the first
European ePrix was held in Monaco in May 2015. Formula E
has helped promote technological innovation and the
popularization of electric vehicles (EVs).

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Copper-Bonded Silicon Nitride Substrates for EV Power Inverters

Because of the unique properties of Kyocera's advanced materials and Fine Ceramics technology, the company offers a diverse lineup of...

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Because of the unique properties of Kyocera's advanced materials and Fine Ceramics technology, the company offers a diverse lineup of automotive solutions, including for EVs. Our silicon nitride substrates (pictured) are used in EV power inverters to help generate power for the electric vehicle’s motor. Other leading Kyocera automotive components include Peltier elements for battery cooling systems, ceramic semiconductor packages for ADAS, organic substrates for navigation systems, epoxy molding compounds for ADAS systems, LED substrates, and much more.

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MFAH Cutting Tools

Also for the EV market, Kyocera develops a wide range of leading cutting tools and manufacturing technologies. Our MFAH cutting tools, first released in 2017 (pictured), are high efficiency...

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Also for the EV market, Kyocera develops a wide range of leading cutting tools and manufacturing technologies. Our MFAH cutting tools, first released in 2017 (pictured), are high efficiency milling cutter for high quality finishing of aluminium parts, such as those used in structure parts of EV automotive components. In addition to EV and automotive, Kyocera's cutting tools are also highly valued in various other industries, including aerospace.

2020 Space Development Goes Commercial 2020 Space Development Goes Commercial

In May 2020, SpaceX became the first commercial enterprise to
successfully send a crew of astronauts to the International
Space Station in Earth's orbit. This was followed by further
successful commercial crewed space missions from Virgin
Galactic and Blue Origin in 2021.

2020
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Fine Ceramic Isolators for Ion Thrusters

Kyocera's Fine Ceramics components have been helping push humanity through space for decades, with our components used in many successful government space programs...

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Kyocera's Fine Ceramics components have been helping push humanity through space for decades, with our components used in many successful government space programs, including Japan’s Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2 projects. With applications ranging from semiconductor laser products for satellites, satellite camera housings, oxygen tubes, satellite mirrors to ion thrusters (pictured), commercial endeavours in space will continue to be supported by Kyocera's advanced material technology well into the future.

yusuke mizukami
yusuke mizukami

As a broadly positioned company, we are
always striving to further expand and
optimise our technological
competencies and maintain our spirit of
research.

Yusuke Mizukami, President of KYOCERA Europe GmbH

>

Read the interview from Trend Report here

history

50 Years Kyocera

Mr. Mizukami, you are the President of Kyocera Europe, a group originally from Japan. What can you tell us about Kyocera?

The KYOCERA Corporation was founded in 1959 as a manufacturer of fineceramic components in the Japanese imperial city of Kyoto, from which the company name is derived. Since then, we have expanded our global business by developing a variety of products based on fineceramic technology.

We have since grown into a global company with approx. 78.000 employees worldwide, and Kyocera is ranked #549 on Forbes magazine’s 2020 “Global 2000” list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies and appears on The Wall Street Journal’s latest list of “The World’s 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies.”

yusuke mizukami

Yusuke Mizukami, President of Kyocera Europe GmbH

Yusuke Mizukami was appointed President of Kyocera Europe GmbH on 1 April 2020. Prior to this position, he could already look back on over 30 years of professional experience as a manager in various divisions of the Kyocera Group.

Your company is celebrating its 50th anniversary on the European market this year. How has the European business developed and what role does Europe play in an international comparison?

Following economic success in the Japanese market, Kyocera ventured into Europe in 1971, entering into a joint venture with Feldmuehle GmbH, a manufacturer of paper products, among other goods. The aim of the resulting „Feldmuehle Kyocera

Your company is celebrating its 50th anniversary on the European market this year. How has the European business developed and what role does Europe play in an international comparison?

Elektronische Bauteile GmbH“ was to combine the technological expertise of both companies, create synergies and use them to expand the business in Europe and focus on fineceramic materials for the electronics- and automotive-industry such as substrates.

We started from scratch and generated more than 1 billion Yen (approx. 10 million Euro) in our third financial year through the successful sale of our substrates to European semiconductor manufacturers. This has created a solid foundation as a business expansion base in Europe. In recent years, we have acquired strategically important companies in Germany and Europe whose innovations and know-how suit us and help us to position and develop ourselves in the individual sectors.

These include: In 2011, we acquired Danish based Unimerco S.A. and made the company a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera Europe. Kyocera Unimerco S.A. supplies customised industrial tools to major European car manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers and wind turbine builders. In 2012, Kyocera then acquired the Hessen-based subsidiary of the Japanese company Optrex, which had a strong customer base and advanced technology for LCDs in the automotive industry and incorporated it into our group as KYOCERA Automotive and Industrial Solutions GmbH.

Most recently, in 2019, we also added two long-standing manufacturers of fineceramic components, H.C. Starck Ceramic GmbH in Selb – now KYOCERA Fineceramics Precision GmbH, and Mannheim based company Friatec GmbH, now KYOCERA Fineceramics Solutions GmbH. Both companies were integrated into KYOCERA Europe GmbH. As a result, we now have two production sites in Europe.

Since Europe is a large market for fineceramic components, we can now respond to customer inquiries much faster than before. Last fiscal year, about 18.5% or approx. 2,18 Billion euros of Kyocera’s global turnover of around 11,74 Billion euros were generated in Europe, and the trend is rising: the European business has overtaken the USA in terms of sales and is thus becoming increasingly important for the entire KYOCERA Group.

history

In view of your current acquisitions, in which business areas and divisions will you be driving your German business forward in the future?

KYOCERA Europe GmbH has expanded its business in the past by focusing on ceramic components, a core competence of our product lines. Our recent acquisitions are also in line with this focus, and we will continue to follow this path for further business growth. We firmly believe that our existing business regions meet the requirements for continued growth.

What growth potential do you see in Europe in the coming years?

With the introduction of more and more high-tech innovations in recent years, such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) components to realise a safe automotive society, and fineceramic and electronic components for which demand is increasing with the expansion of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, we are specifically addressing the increased demand of an increasingly technological society.

In line with the spread of 5G, we are also focusing on developing products and systems in areas such as telecommunication base stations and devices that are attracting attention both in Japan and Germany. Through our self-directed research and development and an eye on various global technological needs, we are confident of continuous growth – in Germany and around the world.

„As a broadly positioned company, we are always striving to further expand and optimise our technological competencies and maintain our spirit of research.“

In which divisions were you able to position your company as a successful supplier on the market?

When the semiconductor market boomed in the eighties, we were able to assert ourselves on the market with our ceramic semiconductor housings and consolidate our position to this day. Based on our many years of experience in dealing with advanced fine ceramics, we have been able to increasingly expand our business fields and today offer numerous innovative products based on this material.

In Europe, Kyocera printers are very well known. But what many people don’t know is that our electronic and fineceramic components are also used in a wide range of devices and applications that are essential to everyday life: In addition to industrial and automotive components, Kyocera semiconductor- and electronic components can also be found in numerous solar power generating systems, smartphones and medical products, to name just a few. Furthermore, we also produce kitchen utensils, such as ceramic knives. Since right from the start of our company in Japan, we have always focused on R&D of our fineceramic material. Today we believe that demand for fineceramic-related components will continue to grow in the future.

How important is innovation to Kyocera?

As a broadly positioned company, we are always striving to further expand and optimise our technological competencies and maintain our spirit of research. Kyocera’s commitment to innovation has resulted in more than 18,000 patents worldwide to date, as well as a deep respect for the IP rights of other companies and institutions. We have established patent offices in Japan, the U.S., China, and Germany to maximize IP development and protection in our four principal business areas, which include the information & communications, automotive, environment & energy, and medical & healthcare markets. In this context, Kyocera has also been named among the Derwent Top 100 Global Innovators several times since 2013.

Read the original interview in Trend Report:

https://www.trendreport.de/50-years-kyocera/
How Kyocera Creates Value for Society How Kyocera Creates Value for Society

Kyocera creates value for society by identifying critical social and economic issues we can help
resolve based on global trends in the international community and stakeholders' expectations.
Through its business and CSR activities, Kyocera is committed to the realization of a sustainable society.

Kyocera's Core Business Strengths

Since its founding in 1959, Kyocera has developed sophisticated technological know-how and expertise
in Fine Ceramics (also known as advanced ceramics) and wireless technology. In addition,
Kyocera has established a large global network and a diverse product portfolio that allows us to engineer
unique solutions to solve our customers' most complex technological challenges.

Fine Ceramic and Advanced Material Technology Fine Ceramic and Advanced Material Technology

Fine Ceramic and Advanced Material Technology

Kyocera has been developing advanced materials, focusing on Fine Ceramics technology, for over 60 years. Our product and solutions capabilities range from semiconductor packaging (organic and ceramic materials), industrial equipment, electronic components, automotive components, and energy-related solutions.

Wireless Communication Technology Wireless Communication Technology

Wireless Communication Technology

In addition to providing telecommunications electronic components and communications-based document solutions, Kyocera has expertise in 5G base station technology, IoT modules development, and we also offer a range of communications engineering solutions, such as base station construction.

Global Network and Diverse Product Portfolio Global Network and Diverse Product Portfolio

Global Network and Diverse Product Portfolio

We conduct production, sales, and R & D activities around the world. Through our diverse product portfolio, Kyocera supports a wide range of customers globally.

Kyocera Philosophy

The Kyocera Philosophy encompasses our corporate management philosophy that asks "what is right as a human being" as the primary judgement criterion. This philosophy, shared by all Kyocera employees worldwide, demonstrates the importance of striving for sincerity and honesty in all our actions.

Amoeba Management

Kyocera's unique amoeba management divides the organization into small groups, all operating based on an independent self-supported accounting system directly linked to the market. This management method fosters conscious leaders and promotes all management by all employees, leading to better outcomes for our customers and stakeholders.

Main Growth Markets

Kyocera will focus on four priority markets to solve social issues while expanding our strengths and increasing synergies within the Kyocera Group.

Information and Communications

Information and Communications

As the global economy continues to change, there is increasing demand for more advanced communication technology. Kyocera will contribute to the realization of the information and telecommunications society of the future by developing cutting-edge components and semiconductor-related advanced material technologies, IoT-related technologies, and communications-based document solutions that contribute to increased business productivity.

Mobility

Mobility

The automotive industry is in the middle of significant changes brought about by autonomous driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAs), and responses to environmental issues. Kyocera develops technologies and products that support a safe and secure mobility society, such as ceramic components used in EV and advanced tooling solutions contributing to the advancement of automotive manufacturing.

Environment and Energy

Environment and Energy

Kyocera has been developing, supplying, and operating solar power equipment and systems for about half a century under the concept of "Contributing to the world through the advancement of clean energy." In recent years, Kyocera has begun to expand its technological capabilities into storage batteries and related products. We aim to contribute to the protection of the global environment and the realization of a decarbonized society.

Medical and Healthcare

Medical and Healthcare

In addition to developing medical products and components to recover lost physical functions, such as artificial joints and dental implants, we create original devices that make daily health management more convenient. We will improve people's medical quality of life by providing total solutions for preventive medicine that extend healthy life expectancy.

Recent Strategic
Acquisitions

news

Mr. Armin Kayser (Managing Director of KFSG)

Advanced Technical Ceramics Supporting Critical European Industries

In 2019 Kyocera acquired Mannheim-based Friatec GmbH, later renamed KYOCERA Fineceramics Solutions GmbH (KFSG). By combining Kyocera's commitment to R&D with KFSG's expertise in technical ceramics manufacturing, the companies aim to support the medical, chemical, semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, and other critical European industries with innovative ceramics solutions.

Learn more here
news

Dr. Carsten Russner (Managing Director of KFPG)

Pursing Efficient Manufacturing of High-Performance Ceramics through AI and Data Analytics

In 2019 Kyocera acquired the ceramics manufacturing business of H.C. Starck Ceramics, based in Selb, Germany. Renamed KYOCERA Fineceramics Precision GmbH (KFPG), the company focuses on manufacturing high-performance ceramics for a wide range of industries, including machine, plant engineering, aerospace, medical, and oil and gas. By implementing AI and data analytics into the manufacturing process, KFPG aims to be a high value-added and key partner for our customers.

Learn more here
50 years KYOCERA in Europe 50 years KYOCERA in Europe

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