Mitutoyo celebrates: 50 years of passion for metrology in Europe

Mitutoyo in Neuss are popping the champagne bottles: Half a century back an obscure Japanese longitudinal measuring instruments‘ manufacturer established his first European subsidiary in Düsseldorf/Germany. And from this starting point in 1968 it has taken an incredible development. 50 years later Mitutoyo counts amongst the biggest world-wide operating suppliers in the branch – and one of the important employers in a region that has been strongly influenced by Japan and its culture. 

With major celebrations, the European headquarter and the German subsidiary commemorated their 50 years’ European market presence in the Böhler works in Düsseldorf on Sept 17 and 18, 2018. Prominent visitors joined the celebrations: besides company president Yoshiaki Numata, Mitutoyo Europe president Shigeyuki Sasaki, Düsseldorf’s mayor Wolfgang Scheffler and his Neuss counterpart Reiner Breuer as well as the Japanese Consul General Masato Iso held short speeches.

“The great success on the European market is the consequence of the hard work and the dedication of the Mitutoyo staff”, said Numata. With their outstanding products, Mitutoyo –one of the oldest Japanese companies in the Rhineland – has contributed to the all so legendary quality of Japanese goods, Iso praised the achievements of the company.

Exciting lectures by Nobuo Suga (Mitutoyo America) on the “Birth of the metre” and by the former Rolls-Royce Aerospace chief metrologist, Nick Orchard on the development and current meaning of quality assurance and metrology fascinated the listeners. By illustrating a near disaster with an Airbus A380, Orchard displayed how essential the precise measurement of all relevant jet engine parts is. The incident had been triggered by a faulty minor part.

“The cooperation with Mitutoyo has always been a privilege for me”, the Englishman pointed out “because no other supplier offers a solutions-orientation and a service like Mitutoyo”.

Over two days, about 280 guests from Germany and all over Europe had the chance to experience the current Mitutoyo portfolio close-up – ranging from easy-to-use calipers up to fully automated measuring solutions. Historic items took the visitors back into the past days of metrology. A visit to the EKO House with a drumming performance introduced the visitors to Japanese culture, followed by a gala dinner served by Hotel Nikko.

Once more, the close relationship and the dealers’ and customers’ trust in the Japanese metrology experts became apparent. „We have had a cordial and faithful relationship for no less than 55 years,” Borja Garate of Spanish Unceta Group pointed out. „Mitutoyo is our life“, the Iberian added. Also, Maria Ketterer of the Swabian company Kematec can tell about a close collaboration with the Japanese marque for decades.

With about 190 staff in Neuss and more than 800 all over Europe Mitutoyo counts among the big players in the branch of quality assurance. „Mitutoyo has given Neuss a good name in Europe“, Neuss’ mayor Reiner Breuer emphasized. „Plus, the company’s head office has been in our town for 40 out of the 50 years”, he added smilingly.