GIKEN, along with Mitsui & Co., will Formulate Joint Plan to Develop Business in Brazil with JICA Support

GIKEN LTD. (Head Office: Kochi-shi, Kochi; President: Shinnosuke Moribe; hereafter “GIKEN”) has entered an agreement on 13th June with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kenichi Hori) as a partner. The two companies’ joint proposal for “SDGs Business Validation Survey for Ultra-low vibration and noise Press-in Method for Infrastructure Projects in Brazil” was adopted by JICA under its SDGs Business Validation Survey in its SDGs Business Supporting Survey for fiscal 2022 (The agreement is set to run until 2025 March). GIKEN and Mitsui & Co., a company well versed in global business and the local situation in Brazil, have jointly formulated a press-in technology-based business plan for addressing social issues and expanding business in Brazil by around 2024. With the aim of developing business in the Brazilian market, the project will receive support from JICA, is an organization with strengths in networking, trust, and know-how built up with the Brazilian government.

GIKEN will drive this new project as part of efforts to strengthen its overseas business with the goal of achieving an “overseas sales ratio of 70%.” Specifically, the company will confirm local market conditions and customer needs with the aim of creating a market for press-in construction. At the same time, it will gain insights in promoting technologies, establishing systems for providing products and services, and ensuring profitability, to refine the accuracy of its business plan. GIKEN will develop a local business based on the superiority of press-in technologies of the GIKEN Group and maximizing its synergies with the strengths of Mitsui & Co. and JICA.

The SDGs Business Supporting Survey is being operated by JICA* to offer business development support to Japanese private sector companies and others that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to addressing issues in developing economies. Utilizing its expertise, plus networking and trust with governments built up through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, JICA is working to co-create value while supporting companies adopted under the program with consultants.

* For more information on JICA's activities, please visit the JICA website (https://www.jica.go.jp/english/about/index.html).

Brazil has not been impacted greatly by the invasion of Ukraine thanks to its abundant natural resources, including iron ore and oil, and to a high level of food self-sufficiency. The economy is forecast to continue growing on the back of a predicted increase in the working age population through to 2038.

Pressing issues for the construction industry include safety measures for tailings dams* that are at risk of failure, disaster prevention and mitigation measures in response to increasingly heavy rains over recent years, and strengthening of existing infrastructure. In addition, there are many plans for water, sewerage, rail, road and other infrastructure projects required for development and redevelopment projects, and for port and harbour development as container ships grow in size. As a result, there is considerable potential demand for the many advantages of Implant^TM structures and press-in technologies from GIKEN.

* Tailings dams are used for storage of waste products that occur in ore refining processes. If these dams fail, mud flows can result in loss of life for people living downstream and harmful substances can pollute the environment.

New Model for Overseas Expansion

In future overseas business ventures, GIKEN wants to partner with companies that share its vision and grow through establishment and expansion of local press-in construction markets.

Implant^TM Structure based on the Gyropress Method^TM, a rotary cutting press-in method for tubular piles, have previously been used in the construction of protective barriers in Brazil as a measure to prevent the failure of tailings dams. GIKEN aims to achieve full-scale entry into the Brazilian market in collaboration with Mitsui & Co. and JICA, two strong partners. It aims to jointly develop a sustainable market and create business structures through a process extending from market research through to business plan formulation. GIKEN is confident that its press-in technologies will contribute to addressing social issues faced by the country and to developing infrastructure that will protect life and property in the event of disasters. It will also strive to use this project as a new model for overseas expansion.

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed SILENT PILER^TM, the world’s first reaction-based hydraulic pile jacking machine, installing piles without noise or vibration. GIKEN Group now actively promotes its press-in technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative press-in technology provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has spread to over 40 nations and regions.