Saft Strengthens its Presence in Asia by Opening a New Subsidiary in Japan

TOKYO, Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Saft, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry, has opened a new subsidiary in Tokyo, Japan. The new subsidiary, under the name of Saft Japan Kabushiki Kaisha(K.K.) headed by Philippe Ulrich, Saft Sales Director for Asia, is a major strategic step that underpins Saft's strategy to become even closer to customers in Asia. With its new expert sales team, the main objectives for us are to increase Saft's share of the Asian market and specifically to boost sales in Japan.

Saft Japan K.K. has now taken responsibility for the activities in the Japanese market that were handled previously by its long-standing partner, Sumitomo Corporation.

"We would like to thank Sumitomo Corporation for their contribution to Saft, which has proved to be a successful partnership over the past 28 years," says Philippe Ulrich, Saft Japan K.K. General Manager. "In line with the launch of 'Power 2020', Saft's new strategic and operational transformation plan, we want to strengthen our leadership position in Japan with an increased focus on transportation, telecom and grid, as well as civil electronics markets. That is why we have now established our own subsidiary to increase market focus to ensure profitable growth and also to be more responsive to the future needs of our Japanese customers."

Saft Japan K.K. will make its business debut at the 6th International Smart Grid Expo (booth no. W8-31) which will take place simultaneously with Battery Japan 2016, March 2-4 at Tokyo Big Sight. Visitors to this trade show are invited to discover Saft's most advanced technologies for industrial battery applications.

Saft Japan K.K. is located in Tokyo, at Shinbashi Four Deer Building 8F, 3-7-3 Shinbashi, Minato-ku.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext:Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics' markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,000 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group's growth for the future.

www.saftbatteries.com