Consolidation of Medical Material Businesses of
Kyocera Corporation and Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Agreement to
Establish "Japan Medical Materials Corporation" (tentative name)
Kyocera Corporation (Headquarters: Kyoto; President: Yasuo
Nishiguchi) (hereinafter referred to as "Kyocera") and Kobe Steel, Ltd.
(Headquarters: Kobe; President: Yasuo Inubushi) (hereinafter referred to as
"Kobe Steel") agreed to establish a new company aiming to become a total medical
material manufacturer by consolidating the medical material businesses of both
companies as of September 1, 2004.
The name of the new company will be "Japan Medical Materials
Corporation" (tentative name) and the amount of its capital will be 2.5 billion
yen. Shareholding ratios of Kyocera and Kobe Steel will be 77% and 23%,
respectively.
The new company will integrate material and processing
technologies for both ceramics and titanium alloys as well as business resources
derived from Kyocera and Kobe Steel, and will promptly establish a business
basis as a medical material specialist, which is unique in the world. The new
company will conduct business not only in Japan but all over Asia, and will aim
to develop its business on a global scale, targeting markets all over the world.
Especially in the area of artificial joint business, which is the main product
line of the new company, Kyocera and Kobe Steel are the No. 1 and No. 2
manufacturers, respectively. And the new company, as a result of the
consolidation of the two manufacturers, will aim to become Japan's premier total
medical material manufacturer.
Currently, the domestic size of the market for artificial joints
is approximately 73.5 billion yen, which are used for medical treatment of
osteoarthritis and chronic articular rheumatism, which are often seen among
older people. Overseas manufacturers have been participating in the Japanese
market for the past 40 years, and with abundant clinical experience, they
control a majority in aggregate of market (Source: Yano Research Institute,
Ltd.; 2002). However, there has been substantial demand from domestic medical
institutions to develop artificial joints which match the body types and
lifestyles of Japanese people, and Kyocera and Kobe Steel both have been
providing such artificial joints, taking advantage of the merits of the features
of the materials and processing technologies.
The Japanese demographic is aging, and to capture expanding
market demands and provide outstanding products thereto, the new company must
establish its business basis as soon as possible.
For this purpose, it is thought to be very important to
integrate the advantages of the two leading companies, namely, the knowledge and
processing technologies of Kyocera in ceramic materials and Kobe Steel in
titanium materials and to maximize synergies resulting from the consolidation of
their development, manufacturing and marketing divisions, in order to provide
the high quality services demanded by medical institutions and to achieve
business expansion and development.
Within three years, the new company will aim to control a 20%
market share in the artificial joints market and continue to provide products
and services which will contribute to the health of people all over the world,
and hence, contribute to the progress and development of human society.
Outline of New Company
Company Name: |
Japan Medical Materials
Corporation(tentative name) |
Date of
Incorporation (scheduled): |
September 1, 2004 * Commencing
operations on the same day. |
Capital Amount: |
2,500 million yen |
Shareholding Ratios: |
Kyocera: |
77% |
Kobe Steel: |
23% | |
Number of Employees: |
Approximately 400 |
Location of Headquarters: |
Osaka-shi (scheduled) |
Principal Businesses: |
Development, manufacture and sale of
artificial joints, artificial dental roots and other medical materials and
medical equipment. Other business as total medical materials
manufacturer. |
Sales Target: |
Approximately 30 billion yen in Fiscal
2008 (Approximately 15 billion yen at time of consolidation) |
Reference: |
Representatives, directors and auditors
have not yet been decided, but the president shall be seconded from
Kyocera. |