Yokogawa
ActiveOverview
Yokogawa Electric Corporation develops industrial automation and control systems, test and measurement instruments, and related software for process industries including energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. It operates through segments covering production control, quality management, pressure transmitters, flowmeters, analyzers, waveform monitors, and signal generators. The company maintains a global presence in 62 countries with 128 subsidiaries.
History
Founded on September 1, 1915, in Tokyo by Tamisuke Yokogawa as Japan's first measurement instruments company. Incorporated in 1920, it expanded into aircraft instruments in 1933, went public post-WWII, and launched its first distributed control system in the 1970s. Key milestones include the 1983 merger with Hokushin Electric Works, 2002 acquisition of Ando Electric, and entry into biotechnology with drug discovery systems in 2008.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed Control Systems (DCS) | Plant monitoring and control | $100,000 - $5,000,000+ |
| Pressure Transmitters | Process pressure measurement | $1,000 - $10,000 |
| Flowmeters (Vortex) | Industrial flow monitoring | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| OpreX Brand Solutions | Plant lifecycle optimization | $50,000 - $1,000,000+ |
| Waveform Measuring Instruments | Signal analysis for electronics | $5,000 - $50,000 |
| Process Analyzers | Quality and composition analysis | $10,000 - $100,000 |
Manufacturing
Yokogawa manufactures products in Japan, including at its headquarters in Tokyo and facilities like Yokogawa Test & Measurement in Hachioji, with additional plants in Singapore and other global locations. It handles in-house development, production, and assembly for core automation and measurement equipment.
Notable Products
- CENTUM VP DCS - Distributed control system for large-scale plant automation and safety instrumentation.
- DPharp Pressure Transmitters - Differential pressure sensors used in process industries for accurate measurement.
- Vortex Flowmeters - Non-intrusive flow measurement devices for liquids, gases, and steam.
- WT Series Power Analyzers - Precision instruments for electrical power, voltage, and current analysis.
- CellVoyager - High-content imaging system for drug discovery and bio research.
Reputation
Yokogawa is regarded by engineers as a reliable provider of high-precision measurement and control systems, particularly in oil & gas and power sectors, with strong legacy in DCS technology. Professionals value its durability in harsh environments but note higher costs compared to some competitors. The brand holds solid market position in Japan and Asia, with growing recognition in sustainable automation solutions.