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Introduction
Founded in 1966 as a research institute dedicated to the development of electrotechnical hardware in former Czechoslovakia, IVEP has spent nearly sixty years cultivating deep technical expertise and a strong engineering heritage. Today, the company retains this tradition of innovation while operating as a modern Czech SME with a global footprint.
The company delivers its specialised switching devices and tailored electrotechnical solutions to clients across multiple continents. With more than 8,000 distinct products developed to date, IVEP works predominantly on a custom basis, designing and manufacturing multiswitching devices that ensure the reliable and safe operation of electrical circuits in demanding industrial environments. In addition to supplying hardware, IVEP often acts as a technology partner, providing development support and bespoke engineering, an approach that has proven well‑suited to the Japanese market.
Why Japan?
IVEP’s interest in Japan comes not only from commercial considerations, but also from genuine admiration for Japanese culture and industrial excellence. The company views Japan as a highly developed market with substantial opportunities for advanced electrotechnical solutions.
A key milestone in this journey is IVEP’s recent partnership with Nippon Steel Corporation achieved in 2026, one of Japan’s most important industrial players. This collaboration is particularly meaningful as IVEP’s switching technology is being deployed in Nippon Steel’s experimental green steel production programme. In this groundbreaking initiative, hydrogen is used as fuel in blast furnaces instead of fossil fuels, representing a major step forward in sustainable metallurgy.
EU‑Japan Centre’s Support
To deepen its understanding of Japanese industrial practices and strengthen its position in the market, IVEP participated in two key programmes of the EU‑Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation.
The Czech SME attended the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) training programme three times: in 2021, 2022 and 2024. These trainings were an “eye-opening” introduction to Japanese manufacturing culture and operational excellence. It was here that the company realised it could play its chances in the market.
Following its positive experience, IVEP joined the Smart Manufacturing & Robotics Mission in 2025 during which the company was able to exhibit in thematic trade fair in Japan.
Both programmes were highly valued, not only for their technical and business insights but also for the support offered by the EU‑Japan Centre.
Challenges in the Japanese Market
Japanese customers are very demanding. There are high expectations regarding quality and reliability. Moreover, there is a strong desire to understand technology in depth, at a technical level.
For IVEP, these are not obstacles but rather advantages. The company welcomes rigorous technical discussion and values the Japanese preference for clarity, transparency, and precision.
Advice to European SMEs
Drawing on its experience, IVEP offers two key pieces of advice to European companies considering the Japanese market: Be persistent and patient.
Building trust takes time, and it is normal for both sides to invest before seeing concrete results.
Interestingly, while patience is important, IVEP’s experience also shows that concrete results may sometimes move sooner than expected.
Text based on an interview with Mr. Marek Chladil, Managing Director at IVEP.
Published in March 2026.
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Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.
