Special
Interviews

Tremendous Benefits from Business Expansion into Kansai

Q: Could you briefly introduce your company, highlighting its business focus and technological strengths?

Svanehøj is a Denmark-based marine-equipment manufacturer. It takes pride in its long-standing presence in a highly competitive industry, demonstrating strength and resilience. The company's core expertise lies in producing and selling pumps suitable for LPG and LNG, both of which are transported to Japan in liquefied form. In recent years, the global push for carbon neutrality has accelerated a shift in marine fuel sources – from conventional fuel oil to cleaner alternatives such as gas and ammonia. Svanehøj is at the forefront of this transition, offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the maritime sector.

Q: What advantages did locating in Kansai offer your company in finding business partners?

Compared with eastern Japan, the west of the country is home to numerous shipyards, which form the core of our client base. The key factor (in choosing Kansai as our Japanese headquarters) was the concentration of both existing and potential clients in western Japan. In fact, all of our business partners prior to the establishment of the Japanese subsidiary were based there, which naturally led us to choose Kansai.

Q: What influenced your decision to choose Kobe over other locations in western Japan?

Kobe offers excellent accessibility, with Shinkansen high-speed trains, airports and ferries providing seamless and diverse transportation options. The most important factor in our decision was the port city's well-developed infrastructure, which ensures a high level of convenience for both domestic and international business operations.

Q: About five years have passed since your company expanded into Kansai. How would you evaluate the benefits of establishing a business base in the region?

The benefits have been tremendous. Establishing a base in Japan - especially in such an optimal location - has allowed us to strengthen direct engagement with our clients. Since all our products are manufactured in Denmark and shipped to Japan before delivery to client facilities, having a local presence has been invaluable. Our equipment requires on-site installation, and I think that being based in Kobe enables us to provide a more hands-on, responsive service to our clients.

Q: What do you find appealing about life and lifestyles in Kansai?

My impression is that (Kansai) offers an exceptionally comfortable living environment. In Kobe, the Motomachi and Sannomiya areas are hubs for both public- and private-sector organizations. In fact, almost everything is within walking distance. Additionally, the city has an established network of professional service providers, including accounting and law firms, providing both strong support and convenience for contract-related matters.

Q: With the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, advanced technologies are gaining attention, including those contributing to carbon neutrality. What business opportunities do you anticipate from the Expo?

Originally a European manufacturer, we are now positioned to bridge Europe and the United States following the acquisition of our Danish parent company by a U.S. corporation a year ago. We see potential business opportunities related to Expo 2025, as representatives from our affiliates and group companies are expected to visit Kansai for the event. Given the great importance our group places on the Japanese market, this could provide our executives with opportunities to explore potential joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the region.

Q: What message would you like to share with overseas companies considering business expansion or sales channel development in Kansai?

Japan is a highly attractive market, offering exceptionally favorable conditions across all essential aspects of business - labor, goods and capital. If you have an opportunity to visit Kansai, I strongly encourage you to experience its business-friendly environment at firsthand.