The Komax Group is a pioneer as well as the market and technology leader in automated wire processing solutions. Komax has a presence in all the key harness production regions of its customers and is able to develop appropriate, high-value and innovative automation solutions for local requirements.
What characterizes Komax?
Komax has more than 40 years’ experience in the development of customer-oriented solutions for wire processing. The emphasis is on processes such as measuring, cutting, stripping, crimping, taping, block loading and testing wire harnesses. Our headquarters and largest production site are located in Switzerland, near Lucerne. The Komax Group produces standardized products as well as customer-specific systems at 19 locations worldwide and has a unique global distribution and service network. Customer proximity together with short reaction and supply times are crucial to success. For this reason, we provide sales and service support in more than 60 countries through our subsidiaries and independent agencies. Some 1,900 employees currently work in around 40 companies of the Komax Group worldwide.
Which market segments does Komax address?
Komax focuses on four market segments. The core business is the automotive market segment. However, Komax is continuously strengthening its presence in the other three segments – industrial, aerospace and telecom & datacom – and exploiting the synergy potential with its core business. All segments benefit from the Komax Group’s global service network and service offerings such as the Komax Academy, which provides a modular training program including final certification.
What do you do to meet changing customer needs?
We have been investing in research and development (R&D) at an above-average rate – and will do so even more in the future. We will invest around 8–9% of Group revenues in R&D over the next few years. The automotive industry is currently in a state of flux and the race to develop the “mobility of the future” is having an impact on our customers and also on us. Global developments such as electromobility and autonomous driving give us the opportunity to demonstrate our exceptional ability to innovate once again and to support our customers with new solutions. The Komax Group employs a total of some 200 employees in the area of R&D. The majority of these work in Switzerland, but there are also three development units in Asia: China, Singapore and Japan. This innovative strength is additionally bolstered by about 170 engineers who make a key contribution through the development of customer-specific applications.
What significance does Asia have in your strategy?
In 2017, we recorded a strong increase in revenues (10.3%) in Asia/Pacific. For the first time ever, we sold more in Asia/Pacific than in North/South America. Asia has now become the second-strongest region after Europe for the Komax Group. Thanks to the takeover of the assets of Practical Solution, we strengthened our position in the growing market in Asia last year, acquiring a third Asian development and production site in Singapore to join our existing sites in Shanghai and Tokyo.
How do you serve your Thai customers?
We have constantly strengthened our presence in Southeast Asia during the last couple of years in order to be closer to our customers in this region. I’m convinced that our long years of practical experience and our broadly diversified solution portfolio are assets for our customers. We continuously develop new solutions for them that optimize processes while simultaneously increasing productivity, thus meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow. This allows our Thai customers to create the best conditions for consolidating and expanding their edge over their competitors.
