Japanese Ambassador visits Hochiki Europe headquarters in Gillingham

The visit opened with an introduction to Hochiki’s global business and European operations. This was delivered by Yuji Hayashi (finance and administration director). Guests then toured the Gillingham site.

The Ambassador and his First Secretary were guided in Japanese by the Hochiki team. The tour began in the training room, where guests saw a complete fire detection system with the devices Hochiki designs and manufactures duly highlighted. It then moved on to the production facility. During the tour, Darren Pugh (director of manufacturing) briefed the group on Hochiki’s current plans to extend the Gillingham site.

Hochiki was founded in Japan back in 1918 and has now specialised in delivering fire detection systems for more than a century. The Hochiki Group boasts a global turnover of more than £400 million and employs upwards of 2,000 team members. The company operates six manufacturing plants, 38 sales offices and 14 subsidiaries, with manufacturing taking place here in the UK in addition to Europe, Japan and the USA.

History in the Medway

Hochiki Europe has been based in Gillingham for more than 30 years. From thr Gillingham site, the business supplies customers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean.

In September 2023, the company opened Apex House, a dedicated logistics facility in Chatham, which increased its warehousing capacity from 480 to 2,450 pallets. As part of an ongoing growth strategy, Hochiki is now in the final stages of preparing a planning application for the expansion of its Gillingham facility and expects to submit this to Medway Council in the coming weeks.

The visit reflected a connection between Gillingham and Japan that stretches back more than 400 years. William Adams was born in Gillingham and reached Japan in 1600, becoming the first Englishman to do so. He went on to serve as an advisor to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. For its part, the Medway Japan Friendship Association, whose members joined the visit, has long championed that shared history.

Skill, commitment and pride

Katie Walker, global Human Resources director at Hochiki Europe, stated: “It was a privilege to welcome Ambassador Suzuki to Gillingham alongside the Mayor of Medway and our partners from Medway Council. Hochiki has called Medway ‘home’ for more than 30 years now. Our success here reflects the skill, commitment and pride of our local team.”

Walker added: “It was particularly special to share that detail with the Ambassador and to recognise the people who contribute so much to our business and our community in a town with such a special place in the history between Britain and Japan. We value the support we receive from Medway Council and very much look forward to continuing to invest in our people and grow our presence here.”

Following the tour, Ambassador Suzuki reflected: “Hochiki is a fine example of the partnership between Japan and the UK. It’s a Japanese company with more than a century of history that’s manufacturing here in Medway and employing local people. Gillingham holds a special place in the story of our two countries as the birthplace of William Adams and it’s a pleasure to see that connection continue through businesses like Hochiki. I would like to thank the Hochiki team and our friends in Medway for their very warm welcome.”

Full delegation

Upon leaving Hochiki Europe’s UK headquarters, the Ambassador went on to MidKent College as he continued his tour of Medway.

The full delegation included Ms Junko Nakaji (First Secretary), Councillor Vince Maple (leader of Medway Council), Councillor Nina Gurung (portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure), Councillor Harinder Mahil (portfolio holder for economic and social regeneration and inward investment) and Nicolas Maclean (honorary life member of the Medway Japan Friendship Association).

*Further information is available online at www.hochikieurope.com