Murata, innovation from Japan

As Roberto Ambrosi, General Sales Manager for Italy, tells us, research and technological development activities, in-house development of raw materials and production capacity, combined with a state-of-the-art supply chain and an extensive sales network, make Murata an absolute innovator in electronics.

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Murata

by Laura Reggiani

Founded in 1944 in Japan, Murata is a leading manufacturer of electronic devices, modules and components with a wide range of products including ceramic capacitors, thermistors, inductors, coils, timing devices, buzzers, sensors and EMI filters. Although Murata is known globally mainly as a manufacturer of ceramic capacitors, it has also established itself in the market for the production of Bluetooth and WiFi modules, boardmount DC-DC converters and is one of the leading manufacturers of standard and custom AC-DC power supplies. The company is headquartered in Japan, but has a network of offices covering the European market. Murata Electronics Europe is in fact the organisation responsible for the regional management of the subsidiaries in Europe. Located in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands, very close to Schiphol Airport, the European Head Office coordinates all sales and marketing activities carried out through the offices located in Germany in Nuremberg, in France in Paris, in the Netherlands in Hoofddorp, in the UK in Fleet and in Italy in Milan. Murata has been present in Milan since 1981 and is now led by Roberto Ambrosi, who is General Sales Manager.

Roberto Ambrosi. General Manager Murata
Roberto Ambrosi. General Sales Manager Murata in Italy

What were the milestones in the development of Murata?  

Looking back at our milestones, we can say that in the 1950s we developed ceramic and multilayer technologies, both of which were very innovative, and the 1970s saw our expansion abroad in terms of production, sales and research and development. In the 1990s, we made a strong contribution to the growth of the mobile phone and communications market, which is still one of our key markets together with mobility. In the 2000s, we stepped up our merger and acquisition activities, acquiring some 15 companies, including C&D Technologies (now Murata Power Solutions), Peregrine Semiconductor (now pSemi), Sony Corporation's battery business, ID-Solutions (now Murata ID-Solutions) for RFID and VTI Finland (now MFI) for Mems sensors. Thanks to these operations we can now focus on portfolio management, finding and maximising synergies.


The full article is published in issue 14 of Elettronica AV


Who is Murata today and what is its business model? What are Murata's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competitors?

Today we are a multinational company with more than 80,000 people worldwide, but above all we are a leader in innovation in the field of electronics, a company strongly committed to contributing our technologies to the betterment of society. We aim to build a business of solutions using the technologies and experience we have gained in research and component development. We have three core values: the first is a spirit of challenge, the second is a willingness to act independently and the third is a customer-centric approach. Murata's strengths lie in our extensive global sales network, technology development capabilities, manufacturing capabilities, in-house raw material development and supply capabilities.

Capacitors, communication and power modules, plus other components, are the highlights of your offer. Are there other product areas you are focusing on?

We focus on three areas that are not only component-based and divide them into: Component Business, i.e. capacitors, inductors (with the objective of advancing the basic technology); Specific Application Business, i.e. communication modules, power supply, batteries, sensors, etc. (with the objective of technological differentiation); Solution Business, i.e. software, services, etc. (with the objective of building new technologies). Specific Application Business, i.e. communication modules, power supply, batteries, sensors, etc. (with the objective of technological differentiation); Solution Business, i.e. software, services, etc. (with the desire to build new business models to interact with our customers).

The global economy is currently struggling with shortages of raw materials and rising prices. What tools does Murata have at its disposal to contain these problems?

At Murata we maintain adequate inventory levels and operate with a multiple sourcing strategy, whereby we require our suppliers to include a business continuity plan.

What are your medium- and long-term growth objectives and what tools and strategies will you use to achieve them?

The targets are divided by value. The global economic target is 2 trillion yen, while three other targets have a social value, covering environment, diversity and ES. We have just started a medium-term path for the period 22-24, which fits into our long-term guideline, 'Vision 2030', which sets out the goal to be achieved. The strategy is based on a managerial transformation, which will be focused on added value, both socially and economically, on lean management of business operations and on redefining the product portfolio on three levels (components, devices and modules, new business models).


The full article is published in issue 14 of Elettronica AV


 

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