ORIX Rentec and NEC to Collaborate on Robot System Integrator Business

Tokyo, Japan – Jan 20, 2020 – ORIX Rentec Corporation (“ORIX Rentec”) announced today that it has agreed to collaborate with NEC Corporation (“NEC”) and NEC Platforms, Ltd. (“NEC Platforms”) on a robot system integrator business, in order to support the implementation of robots at various companies.

ORIX Rentec launched RoboRen^*1, the industry’s first next-generation robot rental service, in 2016. Since then, it has supported the implementation of robots by its customers in a wide range of industries, including the manufacturing and logistics industries.

NEC offers Total Support Packages in Introducing Robots^*2, which leverage expertise in robot implementation cultivated by NEC Platforms at its own plants. The packages provide comprehensive support for robot implementation, and cover initial consulting, system construction, and IT services that visualize and analyze the operational status of implemented robots.

The collaboration will enable ORIX Rentec, NEC, and NEC Platforms to propose robot use in an integrated manner, while at the same time reducing the burden of initial investment for their customers. By establishing systems capable of catering to the diversifying needs of their customers, the three companies will work together to support robot implementation; they will also roll out IT services to customers who have already implemented robots.

There are high expectations for automation of production lines through the use of collaborative robots, as a means both of catering to shortages of labor and of improving productivity. As such, the Japanese robot market is forecast to increase in scale by 720 percent from 2018 levels to 85 billion yen by 2025^*3. However, it is no easy task for companies to select robots, redesign existing production lines, and measure the benefits of robot implementation by themselves—and this is hindering the widespread uptake of robots.

Going forward, ORIX Rentec, NEC, and NEC Platforms will promote the use of robots in production lines, and thereby seek to improve productivity and resolve personnel shortages in Japan.

■ Overview of ORIX Rentec, NEC, and NEC Platforms

ORIX Rentec was established as Japan’s first measuring instruments rental company, and it has since provided rental services primarily for customers in the manufacturing industry. In 2016, ORIX Rentec launched RoboRen, a next-generation robot rental service, and at present offers 42 machines from 20 different manufacturers in its line-up. The company also has two robot showrooms—Tokyo Robot Lab. and Tokyo Robot Lab.2—in Machida City, Tokyo, where customers can see the robots in action and gauge their usability in person.

Using advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics, going forward NEC will continue to cater to the diversifying needs of its customers by fusing manufacturing industry worksites with digital. By developing solutions that contribute to robust manufacturing management and the creation of new service businesses, NEC will work with its customers to realize NEC Value Chain Innovation^*4. This initiative seeks to share information and conditions regarding people, goods, and processes across the entire value chain.

NEC Platforms is engaged in the development and production of ICT systems equipment that supports societal solutions businesses. The company has systematized its expertise in manufacturing innovation—which it has implemented at its own factories over more than 20 years—and provides this knowledge in the form of solutions and services.

*1 RoboRen is a robot rental service that specializes in next-generation robots.
*2 “NEC launches sales of Total Support Packages in Introducing Robots, which provides support for improving production line throughput,” NEC press release issued on February 1, 2019
*3 “Current State and Future Outlook of Worldwide Robot Markets in 2019, No.1 – FA Robot Markets,” Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd.
*4 This NEC business domain seeks to generate new values by using cutting-edge digital and co-creation with customers to connect people, goods, and processes across company and industry boundaries. Through this business domain, NEC aims to contribute to the realization of a society which exists in harmony with the earth, and in which companies can realize sustainable growth and people can live abundant lives.

Contact Information:
ORIX Corporation
Corporate Planning Department
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121

About ORIX:
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is a financial services group which provides innovative products and services to its customers by constantly pursuing new businesses.
Established in 1964, from its start in the leasing business, ORIX has advanced into neighboring fields and at present has expanded into lending, investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, automobile related, real estate and environment and energy related businesses. Since entering Hong Kong in 1971, ORIX has spread its businesses globally by establishing locations in 37 countries and regions across the world.
Going forward, ORIX intends to utilize its strengths and expertise, which generate new value, to establish an independent ORIX business model that continues to evolve perpetually. In this way, ORIX will engage in business activities that instill vitality in its companies and workforce, and thereby contribute to society. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/
(As of March 31, 2019)

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements:
These documents May contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results that differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019.”