The neuromuscular tissue of a small bird inspired the founding of Nihon Kohden. Dr. Yoshio Ogino – founder of Nihon Kohden – was researching electrical engineering when he witnessed an experiment involving stimulation of the neuromuscular tissue of a small bird. He was amazed by the wonder of biology and remarked that “to measure part of a living body requires several hundred times the sensitivity and at least two decimal places more than the equipment developed by the leading electrical engineering experts in Japan.”
He wondered if it might be possible to apply a higher level of engineering to the subtleties and study the human body. Furthermore, if this union of medicine and engineering could be used for saving human lives. With this powerful inspiration, he studied medicine and in August 1951 founded Nihon Kohden. Since then, he has developed a totally new mindset - one that is capable of efficiently and rapidly transforming the latest findings from medical research into high-quality, cutting-edge technical equipment.
According to the vision - Improving Healthcare with Advanced Technology - Nihon Kohden is one of Japan’s leading suppliers of highly reliable state-of-the-art medical technology with more than 5,000 employees throughout the world. Every year, the company is expanding its global network, from research and development to manufacturing, sales, and service, to fulfil its mission to save lives with the most advanced medical technology. Nihon Kohden products are exported worldwide.
Since 1985, Nihon Kohden has been providing reliable, expert services in Europe. The Nihon Kohden Europe GmbH – as local headquarters – is responsible for the entire European market. Along with the subsidiaries, Nihon Kohden Italia, Nihon Kohden Iberica, Nihon Kohden France, Nihon Kohden Deutschland, and Nihon Kohden United Kingdom, the company also has a tightly woven specialist distribution network that covers every country.
We at Nihon Kohden Europe have set ourselves the aim of combating disease and improving society with cutting-edge technology – a demanding challenge – while setting equal priority on the benefit and welfare of our employees. Each employee shares the duty of responsibility and care in all business dealings to secure customers’ trust and loyalty to the Nihon Kohden brand. The Nihon Kohden Europe GmbH is a subsidiary of Nihon Kohden Corporation and has gathered more than thirty years of success in the European market.
Shinya Hama President
Andreas Schabbach Senior Vice President Commercial Operations
Dirk Mehlhorn Vice President Production and Quality
Dr. Jochen Marmann Vice President Business Operations
Heinrich Raisch Director Legal & Compliance
In line with the corporate philosophy – Improving Healthcare with Advanced Technology – Nihon Kohden has risen to the challenge of applying electronics in overcoming disease and restoring the best of health in patients for more than fifty years. The company provides state-of-the-art technology that has been ground-breaking, economically viable, and ergonomically optimal solutions providing the best possible outcome for patients in the fields of cardiology, neurology, patient monitoring, and in-vitro diagnostics.
Nihon Kohden’s logo is a lighthouse rising and illuminating the way to others. The symbolic light beam cast embodies the company’s corporate philosophy and identity of excellence and pioneering spirit. The future is the past, coming back through a different door.
Nihon Kohden embodies tradition and future in one company. The expertise that goes back more than fifty years, and the plethora of technological cutting-edge innovations and ideas that have emerged, secure our future as a powerful partner to the caring professions.
In the manufacture of medical equipment which affects human life, Nihon Kohden allows no compromise. All products have guaranteed safety and quality after passing the strictest inspections. Nihon Kohden’s major products are manufactured at its main factory, the Tomioka Production Center in Tomioka, Japan. The open design of the factory incorporates the latest production technology for the manufacture of printed circuit boards and medical equipment assembly.
Besides Japan, Nihon Kohden has four international manufacturing bases all around the world. Five inspection gates are used to ensure a defect-free product. If a defect is discovered during production, the product is returned to the previous production stage and the process is improved to prevent the recurrence of future defects.
Each worker at Nihon Kohden attaches a label with his or her name inside each product. This fosters a sense of pride and quality so that every worker can feel a connection with the product after it leaves the factory and is used by healthcare professionals in hospitals around the world.
Environmental responsibility is central to Nihon Kohden’s philosophy. We integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business and employee actions, working to conserve and improve the global environment so everyone can enjoy a healthy future. Our efforts include reducing waste and CO₂ emissions, developing eco-friendly products, and building sustainable production systems.
Since Japan authorized public AED use in 2004, we’ve offered regular CPR, first aid and AED training worldwide, empowering communities to save lives.
Our CSR motto, “Nihon Kohden – for precious life”, reflects our mission: to protect human life through medical innovation and contribute to all life on Earth through responsible business and citizenship.
At Nihon Kohden Europe, we believe that true innovation is not only measured by technological advancement, but by the integrity with which we operate. Our Code of Conduct & Compliance Commitment is more than a set of rules—it is a reflection of our values, our culture, and our unwavering dedication to fairness, transparency, and responsibility.
This document outlines the ethical principles that guide our decisions, the standards we uphold in our partnerships, and the expectations we set for ourselves and our stakeholders. From data protection and fair competition to sustainability and human rights, we are committed to building a company that leads by example.
We invite you to explore our Guidelines and join us in shaping a future where business success is inseparable from ethical conduct.
At Nihon Kohden Europe, your career is more than a job—it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact. We are driven by a shared mission to improve lives through cutting-edge medical technology, guided by ethical excellence and a deep respect for people and the planet.
Our workplace culture is built on integrity, inclusion, and continuous growth, empowering every team member to thrive and contribute to something greater. Whether you're just beginning your professional journey or seeking your next challenge, discover how your future can grow with us.
At Nihon Kohden Europe, we value the trust and interest of our investors. Our Investor Relations section offers in-depth information about our financial performance, strategic initiatives, and market position. You can access the latest financial data, reports, stock information, and analyst coverage by visiting our dedicated Investor Relations page. Stay updated on upcoming shareholders' meetings and explore comprehensive insights into our business operations. Stay informed about our journey and achievements in the healthcare industry.