Magirus, the global leader in turntable ladder technology and firefighting equipment, will enter into a partnership with Katakura Industries Co., Ltd. in June 2025 to expand its presence in Japan. Sales and service activities will be managed through Katakura’s established subsidiary Nihon Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd., leveraging its century-long expertise in the Japanese firefighting sector. This collaboration will significantly enhance the availability of Magirus solutions in the Japanese market, with a strong focus on local service, maintenance and customer support.
“Katakura brings extensive experience and a powerful network in the Japanese firefighting industry,” says Thomas Hilse, CEO of Magirus. “Together, we aim to provide not only our innovative vehicles and components, but also the trusted, long-term service that fire departments around the world associate with the Magirus name.”
“Our partnership with Magirus marks a significant milestone for the Katakura Industries Group,” said Ryosuke Joko, President & CEO of Katakura Industries Co., Ltd. “By combining Magirus’ advanced firefighting technology with the decades of experience and technological expertise of our group company, Nihon Kikai Kogyo, we aim to bring new value to Japan’s disaster prevention in firefighting sectors, contributing to a safer and more sustainable society.”
The partnership further expands Magirus’ global service and sales network. Alongside vehicles and technology, customer service is one of the company’s most important pillars. “With reliable local partners, we ensure that everyone using Magirus technology can rely on their equipment for a long time to come,” explains Marc Kuntz, Director Sales and Customer Service.
With over 100 years of experience in the Japanese firefighting market and numerous special developments, Nihon Kikai Kogyo is a strong partner for maintenance and repair at the highest level. The company is part of Katakura Industries Co., Ltd. and offers aerial rescue vehicles and special vehicles such as smoke removal vehicles, seawater pumps and large tankers. This expertise provides reliable support for Magirus customers in Japan and significantly expands market opportunities.
Japan faces a unique set of civil protection challenges – from earthquakes and tsunamis to the increasing threat of large-scale forest fires.
At the same time, complex urban structures require highly specialised firefighting solutions. “We are seeing a clear trend worldwide: the need for efficient high-rise rescue solutions is growing rapidly,” says Hilse. “With our proven turntable ladders and specialised equipment, we are ideally positioned to support the fire departments in Japan – now and in the future”.
