HAMAMTSU, JAPAN -- Yamaha plans to relocate production of its electronics component placement machines to a larger combined R&D and manufacturing factory here. 

The new center of operations, located in the Toyooka-cho, Kita-ku area of Hamamatsu, is already under construction and will open in 2017. It has three levels plus a mezzanine, for a total floor space of 53,700 sq. meters. Yamaha will combine the three business units of its IM Motor division at the new site, the company said.

"Yamaha Motor IM is positioned strongly as the SMT market enters a new phase that places growing demand for advanced technologies,” said Soichiro Kamijima. “Sustained investment in developing and expanding our product range now enable us to lead in this resurgent environment. The new facilities in Japan will add strength to our capabilities and customer-support services.”

The SMT division expects to secure a top-three market position by 2020, and is moving aggressively into the market for high-speed equipment following the company's acquisition of the Hitachi High Technologies chip-mounter business.

The company's introduction of new mounter, inspection and screen printer systems in 2014 helped increases net sales 20% and operating income 63.8%.