#Japan #Wuxi #NFC Technology #NOK

NOK Opens New NFC Technology Center in Wuxi

NOK Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has established a new NFC Technology Center in Wuxi, China, aimed at enhancing its development framework for the electric vehicle (EV) market. This strategic move marks a significant milestone as the company prepares to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its factory in 2025.

The NFC Technology Center, overseen by NOK-Freudenberg China (NFC), will be co-located within the Wuxi NOK-Freudenberg Oilseal Co., Ltd. (WNF), the largest production facility under NFC. The new building was completed in March 2023 and consolidates various functions including design, testing, and sales to improve interdepartmental collaboration and streamline development processes. The opening ceremony coincided with the 30th anniversary of WNF, celebrated on May 29, 2023.

Background and Objectives of the NFC Technology Center

As the demand for EV-related products continues to surge, the NFC Technology Center aims to bolster new product development capabilities tailored for local clients. Key objectives include reducing costs through process enhancements and accelerating development speed, which are critical for maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving EV sector.

The facility comprises four floors with a total floor area of 24,630 square meters that combines manufacturing space with the NFC Technology Center. The factory space has been designed to allow a future production capacity increase of approximately 20%. By centralizing previously dispersed design, production technology, and experimental equipment departments, alongside the sales division, the center aims to bolster collaborative efforts and enhance efficiency. Currently, around 200 employees are engaged at the center.

Role and Vision for the Future

The NFC Technology Center serves as a pivotal hub for technological collaboration between NOK and Freudenberg in China. Here, new products and technologies are being developed with an emphasis on creating new growth drivers for the business. The center will focus on developing high-performance sealing products primarily for EV applications, while also diversifying into general industrial equipment such as new energy systems and robotics.

Celebrating 30 Years of WNF

Founded in 1995 as a joint venture between NOK and the German company Freudenberg, WNF has consistently supplied sealing products, including oil seals and O-rings, to Japanese and Western automotive manufacturers operating in China. More recently, as the EV market has expanded, WNF has shifted its focus toward leveraging NOK's expertise in interface control technology to enhance product development. By actively exploring the market potential of its products in various vehicles, WNF has sought to not only meet customer demands but also to pioneer new avenues in product development.

As of today, products designed and developed in China are becoming increasingly central to WNF's portfolio, with sealing solutions for batteries and thermal management emerging as key growth segments.

Inauguration Ceremony Highlights

On May 29, 2023, the grand opening of the NFC Technology Center was celebrated with government officials and industry partners in attendance. The ceremony featured speeches from influential figures including Junichi Orida, CEO of NOK Sealing Solutions, and Huang Mingxi, President of NFC, both emphasizing the importance of this new facility for regional economic development and the company’s commitment to meeting various market needs, especially in the EV and green energy sectors.

Junichi Orida stated, “With support from everyone, WNF has reached its 30th anniversary. This new building represents a production facility geared towards new markets as well as a vital technology center for development in China where we will continue to provide high-value-added solutions.”

Meanwhile, Huang Mingxi remarked on the facility’s potential to foster growth in response to China’s evolving market landscape, stating, “The opening of this technology center and new factory marks a new chapter for us, as we leverage resources from both NOK and Freudenberg to drive local economic and industrial development through collaboration.”

Conclusion

With the establishment of the NFC Technology Center, NOK demonstrates its commitment to innovation and growth, aligning its strategic objectives with the burgeoning EV market. By enhancing local operations and streamlining technology development, NOK aims to fortify its presence in China and beyond, ensuring it remains at the forefront of manufacturing solutions essential for a sustainable future.