NKK SWITCHES CO., LTD. Company Profile by CMR

Company Profile

NKK SWITCHES CO., LTD. Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area, and Its Competitors

Sr. No.	Item	Description
1	Company Name	NKK SWITCHES CO., LTD.
2	Website	https://www.nkkswitches.co.jp/
3	Established Date	1951
4	Headquartered	Japan
5	Market Position/ History	NKK Switches was founded in April 1951 under the name Ohashi Laboratory in Sanno, Ota-ku, Tokyo, with the aim of developing high-precision switches for industrial use. By December 1953, the company was officially established as Nippon Kaiheiki Kogyo Co., Ltd. with an initial capital of 500,000 yen. In the late 1960s, the company expanded its operations significantly. By February 1967, NKK was designated as a model factory for streamlining by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, and in July 1967, capital increased to 25 million yen. NKK also opened its new Tamagawa factory in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1962. Additionally, the company entered North America in 1970 through a partnership with Cutler-Hammer. In March 1981, NKK established NKK Switches of America, Inc. in Arizona, marking a key step in its international expansion. By October 1983, NKK introduced its "Switch + α" concept, marking the beginning of its next phase of development. In 1984, the company received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award for its contributions to science and technology. Entering the 2000s, NKK continued to innovate, introducing systems like the new NICE system and expanding operations globally, including the establishment of a production subsidiary in Guangdong, China, in 2005. The company’s focus on design excellence earned it several prestigious awards, including the 2008 Good Design Award for its OLED display switches. In recent years, NKK has further expanded its global footprint, with new subsidiaries in Europe, China, and the Philippines. In 2014, the company officially changed its name from Nippon Kaiheiki Kogyo Co., Ltd. to NKK Switches Co., Ltd. and transitioned its branding and online presence accordingly. The company continues to lead in the switch manufacturing industry, with a focus on innovation, quality, and expanding its global market presence.
6	Sales Area	Worldwide
7	Manufacturing Location	Japan, China, and Philippines
8	Ticker	TYO: 6943
9	No. of Employees	282
10	Competitors	Circuit Interruption Technology, Inc. dba CIT Relay & Switch. Rockwell Automation Emerson Electric Co. Panasonic Corporation
11	CEO	Tomoshige Ohashi
12	Ownership Type	Public
13	Contact Information	715-1 Unane, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken, 213-8553, Japan Tel: (044) 813-8025

Business Segment/ Overview:

NKK Switches is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative electromechanical switches and programmable displays, setting the standard for quality and reliability in human-machine interface solutions. With over 65 years of expertise, NKK combines advanced technology with a strong commitment to customer success, offering comprehensive engineering support, including electronic system design, programming, and value-added services.

The company’s extensive network of sales representatives and distributors provides international availability of NKK products, with localized inventory support on regional, national, and international levels. This robust distribution network has played a key role in NKK's market dominance and its reputation for exceptional customer service worldwide.

NKK Switches Co., Ltd. specializes in the development, manufacture, and sale of a wide range of switches for industrial applications across Japan, Asia, Europe, and America. The company's product portfolio includes toggle, rocker, pushbutton, illuminated pushbutton, multi-function pushbutton, emergency stop, key lock, rotary, slide, tactile, and tilt switches, as well as indicator lights, relays, seat keyboards, touch panels, and accessories, with a strong emphasis on universal design products.

NKK’s products are used in a diverse range of industries, including information and communication technology, aerospace, aviation, medical equipment, railways, ships, disaster prevention, semiconductor-related equipment, amusement, mobile communications, health, and environmental fields.

NKK Switches is dedicated to strengthening its market leadership by focusing on quality, stability, and reliability. The company strives to maintain its position through outstanding customer support, responsiveness to market needs, competitive pricing, and a commitment to providing reliable, high-quality products. NKK Switches continues to focus on growth while ensuring exceptional service for its customers worldwide.

Sealed Switches Product Types Specification

Product	Product Description

JB-Series Low Profile Process Sealed Tactiles	The choice of dimensions, from PCB to the top of the cap, enhances design flexibility. The higher operating force type provides a more pronounced operating feel. The dome contact offers crisp tactile feedback, positively indicating circuit transfer, while ensuring high reliability and a long operational life of up to 5,000,000 cycles. The rubber seal construction prevents contact contamination and supports automated soldering and washing. Slanted terminals provide a spring-type action, ensuring secure mounting and preventing dislodgement during wave soldering. Molded-in terminals are part of the sealed design, allowing for automated soldering and washing. The terminal spacing adheres to the standard 2.54mm PCB grid.
JF-Series Ultra-Thin Process Sealed Tactiles	With an extremely low profile of 5mm from the PCB to the top of the switch, the fully sealed contact mechanism allows for wave soldering and washing. The minimal operating force and short stroke enable light-touch operation. The dome contact provides crisp tactile and audible feedback, ensuring reliable circuit transfer and long life. A wide variety of body shapes and colors are available. Crimped terminals deliver spring-type action, securing mounting and preventing dislodgement during wave soldering. The compact body dimensions support side-by-side mounting on a standard grid, with terminal spacing conforming to the standard .100" PCB grid.
SK-Series Process Sealed Keylocks	Featuring a 0.4VA logic level, process-sealed, PCB mount, and available in momentary and maintained circuits. Molded-in terminals effectively seal out flux, solvents, and other contaminants. The small body size enables high-density mounting. The sealed construction supports automated soldering and washing, and the disposable boot ensures safe washing processes. The detent mechanism provides crisp, positive action for precise switch settings. Self-wiping contacts ensure consistent contact reliability and continuity.
A-Series Process Sealed Subminiature Rocker Switches	Designed for 0.4VA logic-level applications, these process-sealed, PCB-mount switches offer subminiature size, saving space on PC boards. The award-winning STC contact mechanism provides smoother, positive detent actuation, enhanced contact stability, and superior logic-level reliability not found in conventional mechanisms.
M2-Series Process Sealed Miniature Rocker Switches	Rated for 6A power level and 0.4VA logic level, these process-sealed, PCB-mount switches are UL, CSA, and cULus approved. The anti-jamming actuator design protects the mechanism from damage caused by downward force on the toggle or plunger. The single-unit construction of the bushing and top of the housing provides additional protection from washing fluids or other liquids. Ultrasonic welding of the bushing and housing seals out contaminants, supporting automated soldering and washing.
WR-Series Environmentally Sealed Rocker Switches	With a 15A power level and snap-in mounting, these environmentally sealed switches conform to IP67 standards of IEC529, making them suitable for use in outdoor or harsh environments. Available in 10A toggles, 6A pushbuttons, and 15A rockers, the anti-jamming toggle switch design protects contacts from damage caused by excessive downward force on the actuator. The sealed construction ensures reliability in extreme conditions and meets UL, CSA, cULus, and VDE certifications.

Business Strategy

NKK SWITCHES is committed to driving growth and solidifying its leadership position in the global switch market. To maintain and expand its market dominance, NKK will focus on three core pillars: quality, stability, and reliability. These values will remain at the heart of the company’s operations and product development, ensuring that NKK continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers and stays ahead of market trends.

To sustain its leadership, NKK SWITCHES will prioritize outstanding customer support across all touchpoints. The company will ensure the delivery of high-quality products that meet the highest standards, while remaining responsive to dynamic market demands. NKK will also maintain competitive pricing strategies to provide customers with both value and innovation, positioning itself as a preferred partner in the industry.

Ketaki Bhosale

Ketaki Bhosale is a Research Associate specializing in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. With a year of focused experience, she excels in conducting detailed secondary research, competitive analysis, and mar…

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Profile Details

Author Ketaki Bhosale
Published 18 Mar 2025
Last Updated 18 Mar 2025
Reading Time~5 minutes
CoverageSWOT, Financials, Key Employees, History

- 1.1 About NKK SWITCHES CO., LTD.
- 1.2 Key Facts
- 1.3 Key Employees
  - 1.3.1 Key Employee Biographies
- 1.4 History
- 1.5 Locations & Subsidiaries
  - 1.5.1 Head Office
  - 1.5.2 Other Locations & Subsidiaries
- 2.1 Company Overview
- 2.2 Business Segments
- 2.3 R&D Overview
- 2.4 Brands
- 2.5 Key Company Statistics
- 2.6 Key Financials (2015–2019)
- 2.7 Share Holder Analysis
- 2.8 Regional Presence
- 2.9 Services Offered
- 3.1 Strengths
- 3.2 Weaknesses
- 3.3 Opportunities
- 3.4 Threats
- 3.5 Key Competitors
- 4.1 Company Metrics
- 4.2 Key Investors
- 4.3 Recent Funding & Valuation
- 4.4 Historical Funding & Valuation
- 5.1 Acquisitions
- 5.2 Partnerships
- 6.1 Latest News & Announcements
- 6.2 Strategic Initiatives
- 7.1 Summary of Findings
- 7.2 Strategic Recommendations

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NKK SWITCHES CO., LTD. Company Profile