D-M-E and Futaba form alliance

Futaba Corp. and D-M-E Co. have formed a strategic alliance that includes transfer of ownership, new product accessibility and greater distribution opportunities for both organizations. The deal was finalized on March 31 with the final transfer of stock in D-M-E's Japan joint venture, JADME, from Mitsubishi Steel Manufacturing (MSM) to Futaba. D-M-E maintains majority ownership in JADME and will continue to focus on the mold technologies market in Japan.

Futaba, a manufacturer of vacuum fluorescent displays and radio control manufacturing and sales, also produces mold and press die-set bases in Japan and Asia. It will have access to D-M-E's tooling technologies and range of products, including hot-runners, temperature controllers, stack mold centering devices and more, enabling it to better serve the increasingly sophisticated Asian market, and will also have access to D-M-E's global distribution and service network, allowing for expansion of Futaba products outside of Japan.
D-M-E will now have increased manufacturing capabilities in Asia through Futaba facilities which offer more timely, cost-effective production and distribution. In addition, the alliance enhances D-M-E's mold base and component offer to customers around the world.

Futaba Corp. began in 1948 as a manufacturer and seller of receiver vacuum tubes. In 1962, it began producing radio control equipment as well as press die set components. This was followed by development of mold base components and the more recent addition of VFD modules.

www1.futaba.co.jp/english/index.htm
www.dme.net