Bühler celebrates 50 years of innovation, partnership in Japan
JAPAN – Bühler Group is marking its 50th anniversary in Japan, celebrating half a century of innovation, partnerships, and contributions to the food, feed, and advanced materials sectors.
On November 19, Bühler KK, the company’s Japanese subsidiary, hosted a milestone event at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo. Over 100 distinguished customers and partners attended, including top executives from various industries, who joined in presentations, panel discussions, and a showcase of Bühler’s innovations.
The event also welcomed notable guests, such as Swiss Ambassador to Japan Roger Dubach and key members of Bühler’s leadership, including Chairman of the Board Calvin Grieder, CEO Stefan Scheiber, and Karin Bühler, representing the Bühler owning family.
Bühler entered the Japanese market in the early 20th century, supplying automatic grain mills and solutions for the chocolate industry.
Its first order for a grain mill in Japan came in 1906. After World War II, the company expanded steadily, bolstered by partnerships with trading houses. A turning point came in 1972 with the acquisition of Miag GmbH, leading to the formation of Bühler-Miag KK in 1974, which later became Bühler KK.
Today, Bühler KK employs 85 professionals, providing cutting-edge solutions to the food and manufacturing industries across Japan. Its expertise also supports Japanese companies in their international ventures, reflecting the company’s global reach and localized service.
“Business development in Japan has always been critical to Bühler’s success and aligns perfectly with our innovation goals,” said Mitsutami Maeda, Managing Director of Bühler KK.
“Japan’s pursuit of quality inspires us to continuously elevate our technologies and services,” Maeda added.
Bühler has established itself as a leader in Japan, with its technologies adopted by over 95% of chocolate processors and 90% of large-scale flour mills.
The company has installed nearly 20,000 systems nationwide, primarily in Milling Solutions, Chocolate & Coffee, and Grinding & Dispersing technologies.
Bühler is also advancing its megacasting technologies, which have gained traction in the automotive sector. These innovations simplify production by replacing up to 100 parts with a single die-cast component, a technology recently adopted by Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
“Innovative megacasting solutions have opened new avenues in the automotive industry, positioning Bühler as a key partner for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Japan and globally,” noted Samuel Schär, Chief Services & Sales Officer.
At the anniversary event, Bühler emphasized its commitment to Japan through networking opportunities and a showroom highlighting its technological achievements.
CEO Stefan Scheiber reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustainable innovation and customer-focused growth.
“Our success in Japan stems from close collaboration with our customers, a deep understanding of market needs, and our focus on delivering world-class quality and service,” Scheiber said.
Looking ahead, Bühler aims to deepen its investment in the Japanese market, continue advancing its technological portfolio, and strengthen customer relationships.
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