Nidec
Japanese multinational manufacturer of electric motors, drives, compressors, and related electromechanical systems.
Last updated October 29, 2026
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Overview
Nidec Corporation is a Japanese multinational manufacturer and distributor of electric motors and related systems. Founded in Kyoto in 1973 by Shigenobu Nagamori as Nippon Densan Corporation, the company initially concentrated on compact precision motors and built its reputation through engineering specialization, manufacturing discipline, and expansion into international markets. It later adopted the Nidec name as its principal global brand. Nidec's products are used in information-technology equipment, automobiles, household appliances, commercial machinery, factory equipment, infrastructure, and other industrial applications. Its historically prominent business has been the spindle motor used in hard-disk drives, where Nidec became a global market leader. These motors rotate storage platters at high speed and require tight control of vibration, dimensions, reliability, and power consumption. The business made Nidec an important supplier to the information-technology hardware industry, although the long-term shift from hard-disk storage toward solid-state storage has changed the growth profile of that market. The company has also expanded substantially into automotive and industrial motors. Automotive offerings include traction and other motor systems, electric powertrain components, and motors used in vehicle subsystems. Industrial activities cover motors, generators, drives, control technologies, and integrated systems for sectors such as energy, marine equipment, metals, oil and gas, water treatment, materials handling, paper, glass, cement, and other manufacturing applications. Nidec also supplies motors and compressors for appliances and refrigeration equipment. Acquisitions have been a central part of Nidec's development. The group added businesses with expertise in industrial drives, motors, compressors, and other technologies, including Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali, which became associated with Nidec ASI; Leroy-Somer, acquired from Emerson Electric; and Secop, a German refrigeration-compressor manufacturer. Nidec also pursued the acquisition of Whirlpool's Embraco refrigeration-compressor business and increased its ownership in Taiwanese cooling-technology company Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology. Some transactions were later adjusted or divested, including the sale of Secop in response to antitrust considerations. Nidec operates through a broad international network of subsidiaries and manufacturing, engineering, sales, and service activities. In the reference material, the group was described as having hundreds of subsidiaries across Japan, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its customer base spans technology manufacturers, automotive companies, appliance producers, industrial-equipment makers, and infrastructure operators. The brand's positioning is based on motor specialization, miniaturization, energy efficiency, reliability, system integration, and the ability to serve applications ranging from precision components to large industrial installations. Nidec is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has been included in major Japanese market indexes. It has also received recognition in business and innovation rankings. The company remains active as a diversified global motor and electromechanical-systems group, with its business mix extending well beyond its original precision-motor focus.
History
Nidec was established in Kyoto in 1973 as Nippon Densan Corporation by Shigenobu Nagamori. The company began with a focus on small precision motors, an area requiring compact mechanical design, consistent manufacturing, and strict control of operating performance. It developed a strong position by supplying motors for electronic and information-technology equipment, including spindle motors used in hard-disk drives. As the use of hard-disk storage expanded, Nidec became one of the leading suppliers of hard-disk-drive spindle motors worldwide. The product required high rotational accuracy, low vibration, reliability, and efficient power consumption. This specialization gave Nidec an important position in the global technology supply chain and helped finance further international expansion. Nidec subsequently broadened its activities into appliance motors, automotive applications, industrial motors, generators, and drive systems. Its products came to be used in household appliances, automobiles, commercial equipment, manufacturing machinery, energy systems, marine applications, and other infrastructure. This diversification reduced the company's dependence on any single end market and shifted the brand from a precision-component specialist toward a broad electromechanical-systems group. Acquisitions accelerated this transformation. In 2012, Nidec acquired Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali, whose activities were developed under the Nidec ASI name. Nidec ASI added comprehensive drive and industrial-system capabilities serving energy, marine, metals, oil and gas, cement, water treatment, rubber and plastics, materials handling, glass, ceramics, paper, and ropeway applications. In 2017, Nidec purchased Leroy-Somer from Emerson Electric. Leroy-Somer brought established expertise in motors, alternators, generators, and related industrial products. Nidec also expanded into refrigeration compressors. In 2017 it acquired Secop, a German manufacturer of hermetic compressors, from Aurelius Equity Group. In 2018, the company agreed with Whirlpool to acquire the Embraco refrigeration-compressor business. The refrigeration strategy was later modified: Nidec sold Secop in 2019 in the context of antitrust concerns, while continuing to develop other appliance and compressor activities. The group also built a presence in cooling technology through Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology Corporation in Taiwan. Nidec became a shareholder in 2018 and later increased its holding, reaching a controlling shareholding according to the reference material. These steps complemented Nidec's broader interest in thermal management, motors, and components used in electronics and industrial equipment. By the late 2010s, Nidec had developed a large international corporate network, with subsidiaries across Japan, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company's major product groups included hard-disk-drive motors and automotive products, while industrial, appliance, compressor, and drive businesses added further breadth. Nidec was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and was included in the TOPIX 100 during the period described by the reference material. The company also appeared in business and innovation rankings, reflecting its international profile and engineering reputation. Nidec's continuing identity is that of a diversified motor manufacturer whose capabilities extend from miniature precision motors to large industrial systems. Its principal strategic themes have been motor technology, global manufacturing, application-specific engineering, energy efficiency, electrification, and growth through both internal development and acquisitions.
- 2020
Nidec obtains control of Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology
[1]Nidec increased its shareholding in Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology to 67 percent according to the cited reference material.
- 2019
Secop divestiture
[1]Nidec sold Secop after antitrust concerns affected the refrigeration-compressor transaction.
- 2018
Embraco acquisition agreement
[1]Nidec agreed to acquire Whirlpool's Embraco refrigeration-compressor business.
- 2018
Investment in Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology
[1]Nidec became a shareholder in Taiwanese cooling-technology company Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology.
- 2017
Leroy-Somer acquisition
[1]Nidec acquired Leroy-Somer from Emerson Electric and formed Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding.
- 2017
Secop acquisition
[1]Nidec acquired German hermetic-compressor manufacturer Secop from Aurelius Equity Group.
- 2014
Giovanni Barra leads Nidec ASI
[1]Giovanni Barra became CEO of Nidec ASI according to the cited reference material.
- 2014
Recognition by Forbes innovation ranking
[1]Nidec was included in Forbes' 2014 World's Most Innovative Companies list.
- 2012
Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali acquisition
[1]Nidec acquired Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali, later operating as Nidec ASI, adding industrial drives and systems expertise.
- 2005
Recognition in BusinessWeek Infotech 100
[1]Nidec was ranked number 42 in the 2005 BusinessWeek Infotech 100 list.
Products and positioning
A global engineering-led provider of electric motors, drives, compressors, and integrated motion solutions, serving applications from precision information-technology components to automotive, appliance, energy, marine, and industrial equipment.
Information-technology components
Hard-disk-drive spindle motors
These compact motors rotate the platters inside hard-disk drives. Nidec has historically been the global market leader in this category. The products are engineered for high rotational precision, low vibration, compact dimensions, reliability, and controlled power consumption. They remain one of the company's best-known technology businesses, although the storage market has changed as solid-state storage has expanded.
Automotive
Automotive motors and systems
Nidec supplies motors and related systems for automobiles, including traction and auxiliary applications. The category supports vehicle electrification and includes components used in propulsion, actuation, thermal management, and other vehicle functions. Automotive products became one of the group's largest product areas and represent a major part of its diversification beyond information-technology components.
Industrial equipment
Industrial motors, generators, and drives
This portfolio includes motors, generators, alternators, variable-speed drives, control equipment, and integrated industrial systems. Through businesses such as Nidec ASI and Leroy-Somer, the group serves energy, marine, metals, oil and gas, water treatment, materials handling, paper, glass, cement, and other manufacturing industries. Solutions may combine hardware, control, engineering, and service capabilities.
Home appliances
Appliance motors
Nidec produces motors used in household and commercial appliances. These products are designed around application requirements such as compactness, efficiency, noise reduction, durability, and cost control. Appliance motors broaden Nidec's customer base beyond industrial and technology manufacturers and connect its motor expertise with washing machines, cooling equipment, ventilation, and other domestic or commercial products.
Refrigeration and appliance components
Refrigeration compressors
Nidec expanded into hermetic refrigeration compressors through its Secop acquisition and its agreement involving Whirlpool's Embraco business. Compressors are central components in refrigerators, freezers, and commercial refrigeration systems. The company's compressor activities formed part of a broader appliance and thermal-management strategy, although the ownership of individual businesses changed as regulatory and portfolio considerations developed.
Electronics and industrial components
Cooling and thermal-management components
Nidec's cooling-related activities include technologies and components used to manage heat in electronic and industrial equipment. Its investment in Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology strengthened this area. Thermal-management products complement electric-motor expertise because many electronics, machines, vehicles, and infrastructure systems require controlled airflow or heat removal for performance and reliability.
Controversies
2026
Nidec aims for October audit sign-off as new CEO vows to restore trust
Nidec stated that it aims to obtain its audit sign-off in October. The company's newly appointed chief executive vowed to restore trust in the company amid the unresolved audit matter. The audit sign-off had not yet been obtained at the time of the statement.
2021
Nidec files patent infringement lawsuit against Seagate
Nidec filed a complaint against Seagate entities in the District of Delaware, alleging that their hard disk drives infringe Nidec patents. The filing presents Nidec's infringement allegations as claims in a lawsuit; it does not represent a court determination on the merits. The dispute concerns patents related to hard disk drives.
Brand decisions
2020
Increase control of Nidec Chaun-Choung TechnologyStrategyBackground
Nidec increased its exposure to cooling technology and thermal-management components.
Action taken
The company increased its holding in Nidec Chaun-Choung Technology to 67 percent according to the cited reference material.
Aftermath
The investment strengthened Nidec's position in cooling-related technologies for electronics and industrial applications.
2018
Agree to acquire EmbracoM&ABackground
The transaction was intended to strengthen Nidec's refrigeration-compressor and appliance-component business.
Action taken
Nidec entered an agreement with Whirlpool to acquire the Embraco refrigeration-compressor business.
Aftermath
The transaction formed part of Nidec's broader expansion into refrigeration and thermal-management technologies.
2017
Acquire Leroy-SomerM&ABackground
Nidec pursued established industrial motor and generator capabilities to broaden its global portfolio.
Action taken
Nidec acquired Leroy-Somer from Emerson Electric.
Aftermath
Leroy-Somer became part of the Nidec group under Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding.
2017
Enter refrigeration-compressor market through SecopM&ABackground
Nidec aimed to extend its appliance and motor expertise into refrigeration compressors.
Action taken
Nidec acquired German hermetic-compressor maker Secop from Aurelius Equity Group.
Aftermath
Nidec later sold Secop in 2019 in response to antitrust concerns.
2012
Acquire Ansaldo Sistemi IndustrialiM&ABackground
Nidec sought to expand from component motors into comprehensive industrial drive and automation systems.
Action taken
The company acquired Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali and developed it as Nidec ASI.
Aftermath
The transaction added capabilities serving energy, marine, metals, oil and gas, and other industrial sectors.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Nidec aims for October audit sign-off as new CEO vows to restore trust[3]
Nidec said it aims to obtain its audit sign-off in October, while its newly appointed chief executive vowed to restore trust in the company amid the unresolved audit matter.
Reported
Nidec files patent infringement lawsuit against Seagate[4]
Nidec filed a complaint against Seagate entities in the District of Delaware, alleging that their hard disk drives infringe Nidec patents. The allegations are claims in a filed lawsuit, not a court determination.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Nidec adds two E-Axle traction motor products[5]
Nidec added 200 kW and 50 kW traction motor products to its electric-vehicle traction motor lineup. The article says mass production is scheduled to begin in 2023 and 2022, respectively; it identifies European and Chinese markets for the 200 kW system and Japan and Southeast Asia for the 50 kW system.
Reported
Nidec completes acquisition of OMRON Automotive Electronics[6]
Nidec completed its acquisition of OMRON Automotive Electronics from OMRON, along with the acquisition of two OMRON overseas subsidiaries. The acquisition was completed under a stock purchase agreement entered into by Nidec and OMRON.
Sources7 sources
- 1Nidecen.wikipedia.org
- 2Nidec corporate websitenidec.com
- 3Nidec aims for October audit sign-off as new CEO vows to restore trustnews.google.com
- 4Nidec files patent infringement lawsuit against Seagatelawstreetmedia.com
- 5日本电产增加两款E-Axle牵引电机产品finance.sina.com.cn
- 6日本电产完成收购欧姆龙汽车电子benzinga.com
- 7Nidec Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Seagate Over HDD Inventionsfinanznachrichten.de
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