Packaging machinery manufacturer Ishida opens office in Nairobi, Kenya

Ishida, a Japanese multinational manufacturer of food packing machinery, has opened a regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, through its Birmingham-based subsidiary Ishida Europe.

The Kenyan office will operate as the company’s regional hub serving the East African Market. Ishida has since 2014 been taking part in a number of trade missions across Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda.

According to the company’s President, Takahide Ishida, Ishida targets to tap into the country’s manufacturing sector which has shown interest in new and advanced technology.

Takahide Ishida, President of Ishida:
 

“Kenya is a country that has shown great potential in embracing newer technologies and as well, has the appropriate conditions for establishing such enterprises.”

Officiating the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner Susie Kitchens said Ishida brings expertise, technology and skills to Kenya.
 

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British Deputy High Commissioner Susie Kitchens speaking at the event

Susie Kitchens, British Deputy High Commissioner:
 

“Ishida joins a formidable partnership between the United Kingdom and Kenya which underpins a strong trade relationship.”

“The launch of Ishida Europe is just one example of how strong trade and investment ties continue to grow creating even more opportunities for our businesses and consumers.”

Ishida’s move to venture into the Kenyan market comes a time when the East African food industry is growing with both increasing demand in domestic markets and opportunities for export.

The move to more pre-packed and value-added food products is driving the need for accuracy and consistency in packs, both to protect margins and to meet consumer and retailer demands for enhanced quality of both product and packaging.

The food packaging machinery manufacturer, headquartered in Kyoto Japan makes weighing, packing, inspection equipment and packing line systems for food and non-food industries.
 

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The Ishida and Heat and Control team at the launch event.

The company uses its unique expertise and experience to develop advanced automated systems for handling food and non-food products alike.

Ishida is strategically planning to supply its multihead weighers which can deliver pinpoint weight accuracy, snacks bagmakers to produce high quality packs, and checkweighers to provide effective monitoring and compliance with weight regulations for export markets.

The new office in Nairobi will be led by sales manager David Mulwa and Service Engineer Daniel Ambuka.

In addition to the regional office in Kenya, the company has also opened a new manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China to expand production capacity to support increasing domestic and overseas orders and requirements.