Seiuemon Inaba
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in March 1925, he graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Engineering in September 1946 and joined Fuji Tsushinki Manufacturing that November. He developed Japan's first NC system and, as inventor of the electro-hydraulic pulse motor, served as head of the Computing and Control Engineering Department. He received a doctorate in engineering in July 1965. When Fujitsu Fanuc was launched in May 1972 he became Senior Managing Director, also serving on Fujitsu's board.
Selection
At the launch in May 1972, Fujitsu President Yoshimitsu Kora also served as President, and Inaba, as Senior Managing Director, was the new company's de facto leader. After becoming Executive Vice President in 1974, he became President in May 1975. He took office just after the company had switched its mainstay from electro-hydraulic pulse motors to DC servo motors following the first oil shock, and its core NC systems held about 75% of the domestic market and about 50% worldwide.
Initiatives
Aiming to integrate production and development, he adopted a single-site domestic production model, concentrating the head office and factories in Oshino Village at the foot of Mount Fuji. CNC systems reached a 60-70% domestic share and more than 50% worldwide, and he kept to a no-discount sales policy, selling NC systems and servo motors as a set. In 1986 he established GE Fanuc as a joint venture with General Electric to handle the European and U.S. markets. At the end of 1996 he announced the management plan Motion 50, which aimed to transform the company into a comprehensive factory automation maker.
Career
Career
Fujitsu
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Nov 1946 | Joined Fuji Tsushinki Manufacturing |
| 1972 | Director |
Fanuc
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| May 1972 | Senior Managing Director |
| 1974 | Executive Vice President |
| May 1975 | Representative Director, President |
| Jun 1995 | Representative Director, Chairman |
| Jun 1995 | Stepped down as President |
| 2000 | Senior Advisor, Honorary Chairman |
| Oct 2013 | 本社の要職と子会社役員を退任 (translation pending) |