Established in 1853, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries ranks as one of Japan’s most prestigious companies. The company’s recent joint venture with Toyota Motor Corporation has resulted in the creation of IHI Turbo Thailand, the country’s first manufacturing plant for turbochargers. With steady growth in the Thai pickup market continuing, IHI Turbo Thailand is well positioned to boost Thailand’s growing automotive industry.

Turbocharged engines operate with higher efficiency by harnessing extra energy from waste gas to further power engines. “The result of employing a turbocharger in a vehicle’s engine is simple: it provides far greater power output, while being clean and economical,” explains Kunihiko Uetani, president of IHI Turbo Thailand. With an annual production capacity of 400,000 units, the company’s factory in Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate produces two types of turbo chargers mainly sold in the domestic diesel-powered pickup truck market.

Kunihiko Uetani, president of IHI Turbo Thailand

Uetani expects IHI Turbo Thailand to grow in line with Thailand’s autotomotive industry: “Prior to the financial crisis, the Thai automotive sector produced 600,000 units. Last year the number was around 580,000 units so the industry is continuing to recover at a good rate.”

IHI Turbo Thailand is preparing for a number of new projects in the future and Uetani expects production to increase on a yearly basis.

“Quality is an important factor in Thailand and manufacturing standards are high,” says Uetani. “Our message now is that we want to emphasize the quality of our products and continue to grow the company.”

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