OREANDA-NEWS. Nidec Corporation today announced that it acquired a 100% ownership interest in E.C.E. S.r.l. (“E.C.E.”), an Italian cable hoist manufacturer, from the shareholders on May 20, 2016, local time (the “Transaction”) to strengthen its building construction machine business conducted through Nidec’s subsidiary, Nidec FIR Elettromeccanica S.r.l. (“FIR”). As a result of the Transaction, E.C.E. became a consolidated subsidiary of Nidec, as outlined below:

1. Outline of New Subsidiary 

  (1 ) Company Name: E.C.E. S.r.l.
  (2 ) Headquarters: Mezzani, Parma (Italy)
  (3 ) Foundation: 1974
  (4 ) Directors:  
  Director and Chairman: Kei Pang (Nidec Motor Corporation, CEO)
  Director and CEO: Paolo Delpogetto (FIR, CEO)
  Director: Ferdinando Trisoglio 
    (Appliance, Commercial and Industrial Motors business, European Controller)
  (5 ) Principal Business: Designs, manufactures and sells hoists for building constructions
  (6 ) Employees: 7 (as of December 31, 2015)
  (7 ) Sales € 5.1 million (Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015)
         

2. Purpose of the Transaction and Future Operation Policy        

In line with its continuing initiative to create an optimal business mix, the Company is actively moving forward with the development of new growth platforms with particular emphasis on automotive, appliance, commercial and industrial motors and solutions.

Commercial equipment and products have been and will continue to be an important impetus in keeping the initiative on course. Since the acquisition of Nidec Kinetek Corporation and its subsidiaries, including FIR1, in November 2012, the Company has added to its product portfolio a new range of motors for commercial equipment, such as pumps, kitchen appliances (dishwashers, ovens, etc.) and construction equipment (cable hoists, ladder hoists, lifts, etc.), primarily targeted at the European market. 

Through the Transaction, the Company expects to strengthen FIR position in the building construction machines market. TEA International S.r.l. (“TEA”), as a group company of FIR, covers sales and manufacturing of cable hoists for construction and has its presence mainly in Europe. E.C.E is also a well-known brand in this area and is recognized as one of the best brands in the Middle East and North Africa. Nidec expects E.C.E. will help both FIR and TEA to work in tandem to enhance Nidec’s brand exposure in the broader regional markets.  In addition, E.C.E., with its sales mainly through its agents, can expand its sales in regions other than the Middle East and North Africa by using the FIR group’s sales network and sales force. Furthermore, the Company also expects E.C.E. to utilize procurement synergies with the FIR supply chain to improve its profitability.

1 Nidec Kinetek Corporation was merged into Nidec Motor Corporation on March 31, 2016. FIR was a subsidiary of Nidec Kinetek Corporation at the time of acquisition in November 2012, but is currently a subsidiary of Nidec Motor Corporation.

3. Effect on Financial Performance for the Current Fiscal Year

The Transaction is expected to have no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. The Company will make additional disclosure on a timely basis in accordance with the rules of the Tokyo Stock Exchange upon determination of further details.