Japanese Mitsubishi Electric, part of the Japanese conglomerate from which Mitsubishi Motors is also part, has been showing two -digit growth in the last nine years with its Brazilian operation. Here, the company operates in the sale of products imported from its matrix in Japan. The portfolio is varied-it goes from equipment for industrial automation and energy systems, to elevators and air conditioners.
The company has signaled that in the future, it may have a production line in the country, given the tendency of expansion. In Latin America, Mitsubish Electric has factories in Colombia and Mexico. Brazil, in turn, has been differentiated by the provision of services, and the idea is to turn the operation into a hub technical assistance for South American countries.
“We are seeing how to improve our service capacity, taking Brazil as a model and using [o país] like a hub For South America, ”said Michael Corbo, chief representative of Mitsubishi Electric operations in the Americas, in an exclusive interview with Infomoney.
The executive, who is also CEO of the Japanese arm in the United States, says that Brazil has been a reference in technical support, quickly solving problems that can affect the efficiency of its customers’ production lines.
“We managed to see this reach [do suporte técnico prestado pelo Brasil] Extending to Argentina, to Colombia and other markets. We have a redundancy of clients in these locations, ”said Corbo. According to him, discussions on this topic are early, but Brazil is expected to become a regional hub for service in the near future.
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From local to global
Mitsubishi Electric is a centenary company that, throughout its career, had its home country as the main source of revenue. The domestic market is relevant, but more than 50% of businesses are already done outside Japan. In the nine months of fiscal year 2025 (period between April 1 and December 31, 2024), the company obtained revenues of US $ 26.75 billion. In the fiscal year full of 2024, the revenue was US $ 35.16 billion.
“The domestic market is vital to the company, but growth is coming from outside Japan. That’s why Mitsubish Electric continues to invest in other markets, such as South America, North America and Japan,” Corbo explained.
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The operation of Mitsubishi Electric in Brazil is relatively new, began in 2012. Today the company has three offices in the country – in Barueri (SP), Votorantim (SP) and Blumenau (SC) – and the forecast is to open another one next year.
“In a country with our dimensions, we need regional offices to be closer to customers,” said Fabiano Lourenço, president of Mitsubishi Electric Brazil.
Expanding market
The main clients of the Brazilian operation are in the food and beverage industry, in the automotive, agricultural segments, and more recently, in sanitation. The legal framework of the sector, instituted in 2020, provides massive investments for water and sewage universalization by 2030.
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Mitsubishi Electric Brasil still has a small participation in the global result of the company, but is also seen with one of the operations with the highest growth potential. Michael Corbo says the plan is to continue growing organically in the country, and as long as there are no concrete plans to open a factory here, to direct investments to people.
In addition to employee training programs, which include classes in Japan, Mitsubishi Electric has an open distance learning platform where more than 30 free courses in the area of electrical and electronics offers. About 60,000 people participate in these training.
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Trump and Climate Agenda tariffs
Corbo, a native of Ohio, has been working for Mitsubish Electric in the United States and joined the company in a moment of strong “anti-japan” in his country, the executive recalls. Were mid -1980s and the Japanese were investing heavily in the American real estate sector buy american (Buy from Americans) proliferated.
Now he witnesses another wave of protectionism to set up in the country with the return of Republican Donald Trump to power. “All companies, not only Mitsubishi Electric, are facing the challenge of tariffs now and finding ways to deal with it. It’s quite impactful,” admits the executive.
“We produce in Mexico and have fares about these products. […] We have to find solutions that are acceptable to stakeholdersmainly our customers. Therefore, we need to be very diligent in relation to the way we run the business, ”he adds.
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Regarding climate change, another agenda being attacked by the Trump administration, Corbo says Mitsubishi Electric continues to work to reduce fossil fuel dependence on its products and solutions.
“We have many opportunities around the world to reduce our carbon footprint in different sectors. […] Climate change is real and need to be addressed. And there are ways to contribute this through our products. We are committed to this, ”said the executive.
