Moving walkways, escalators and elevators have changed the way people move through public environments throughout the world. The global demand for escalators and elevators is currently 230,000 units a year, and Mitsubishi Elevator Asia Company (AMEC) intends to increase its share of this vast market to 13 percent by 2005. It hopes to achieve this through a strategy of investing in equipment, manpower and innovative designs.

Based 80 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, the Mitsubishi Elevator Asia Company (AMEC) manufactures and assembles over 4,000 elevator units and over 1,000 escalator units every year. 2003 will see the production of a new product: moving walkways. Under the leadership of Ryuji Kato, AMEC’s president, the company’s workforce of almost 800 employees can expect orders to increase substantially. With over 90 percent of its products exported abroad to more than 60 countries, AMEC has become a globally respected and trusted name in escalators and elevators. The Thai market also remains important to AMEC, where the company holds the number one market position.

Ryuji Kato, president of Mitsubishi Elevator Asia

“Bangkok’s new underground subway project is an important venture for us, as we provided the escalators for this,” says Kato proudly. “We also provided 350 units of elevators and escalators for the new airport.”

While Japanese technology is held in high esteem, products “Made in Thailand” have had to prove their worth over the years. Kato took action to establish the quality of AMEC products when the company was started in 1991.

“Since we were established, our quality level has been the same as that in Japan,” Kato says. “I invited customers to our factory to show them our new machinery and quality standards. Gradually, foreign customers accepted our high quality products, which are made in Thailand.”

The importance of quality is closely followed by innovation. The new machine-room-less elevator model “Elenessa” boasts improved ride comfort, simple control use, enhanced efficiency and reliability. “We are targeting the European market with, ‘Elenessa” says Kato. “We would like to penetrate this market gradually as there is stiff competition from European producers.”

For AMEC, demand is steadily increasing. “In 1996, the demand in the Thai market was more than 3,000 units per year,” recalls Kato. “Within a couple of years, this number should increase providing the economy continues to do well. I expect demand to return to pre-crisis levels.”

“I enjoy my work and am proud of our achievements,” he continues. “I always think positively, and I believe the future looks excellent. I want to develop this factory to have a minimum production of 5,000 units within two years.”

Safety, comfort and efficiency will remain the three most important aspects for AMEC elevators and escalators. With impressive sales forecasts, shortened delivery lead times, new product launches and the challenge of the European market, AMEC is showing it has an increasingly important role to play in the world’s escalator and elevator industry.

TOP

Home  About Us  Careers  Contact Us  Reports  Advertisers  About Japan Times

© 2003 World Eye Reports