I-PEX Spoke at the Deep Tech Forum New York

We are pleased to announce that our Sales Manager, Yosuke Kawagoe, spoke at the Deep Tech Forum 2025 held in New York City on January 22, 2025. 

We talked about what I-PEX USA Manufacturing and the I-PEX Group can do, and the co-creation and future we aim for. Here we present an edited version of the speech given at the Deep Tech Forum.

For more information about I-PEX USA Manufacturing, Inc., please visit the website. 

Deep Tech Forum is designed for early to mid-stage startups considering expansion into Japan, as well as investors and business leaders interested in Japan’s tech ecosystem. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with key players in the deep tech industry and gain insights into the future of innovation.

Organized by Monozukuri Ventures (モノヅクリベンチャーズ) and co-hosted by the New York Robotics Network, the event is supported by various organizations, including the Consulate General of Japan in New York, JETRO New York, and the Office of the City of Yokohama.  

I-PEX USA Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in December 2000 and began operations in 2002 in Auburn, Alabama. 

I-PEX, short for Innovative Product Development and Engineering Solutions eXpert, is a global leader in precision manufacturing and sustainable energy solutions. Since its origins in 1963, I-PEX has grown from a small mold tooling manufacturer in Kyoto, Japan, into a multinational corporation with over 5,000 employees across 39 sites in 12 countries. 

Originally founded as Dai-ichi Seiko (第一精工), I-PEX revolutionized the mold tooling industry with its innovative module system, reducing reliance on craftsmanship and improving efficiency. The company’s commitment to innovation continued with the development of molding automation equipment in 1972 and the introduction of built-to-print resin injection molding in 1975. 

Since our foundation, we have specialized in handling complex, difficult-to-mold products, serving innovators in the semiconductor, industrial, consumer electronics, and automotive sectors. 

To learn more about the history of I-PEX, please visit this page.

A visit to our Alabama plant, operational for 23 years, reveals a production floor unlike any other. As a publicly traded company, maximizing return on investment typically means producing similar products using standardized production lines. While we consider such efficiency-driven strategies, we often prioritize custom automation tailored to each customer’s needs to optimize the production process and increase efficiency. 

Some investors see this approach as inefficient, but innovators—our customers—love it.* Our unique production floor results from prioritizing value creation and customer needs. Many of our customers see I-PEX as a last resort because they trust us to design and deliver high-quality finished products on time, even when faced with manufacturing challenges. Our factory is filled with complex, customized resin products, proving our dedication to solving the toughest manufacturing problems through efficient manufacturing techniques. 

As a result, I-PEX is actively looking for two types of partners: 

If you are designing a product and need a mold tool or automation integrator, I-PEX can support you. We hold certifications in automotive, medical, aerospace, and other industries and can assist in bringing your product to market. Our facilities in Japan can conduct industry-standard tests, and we can also assist in sales activities, particularly when targeting Japanese customers. 

We seek partners developing advanced sensors for defect detection in robotics—faster, more accurate, and more efficient than current market offerings. We are also interested in companies that can build entire production cells, including automation and robotics. 

All molds and automation used in our Alabama plant are currently manufactured at our headquarters in Japan, requiring three months of ocean shipping before reassembly and validation in the U.S. Establishing local manufacturing partnerships in North America would significantly improve efficiency in both lead time and cost. 

In 2020, I-PEX launched a new business venture focusing on portable power stations and energy solutions. This initiative repurposes used EV batteries into portable power stations, supporting a circular economy and enhancing power system resilience. 

As I-PEX evolves, it aims to shift towards a more collaborative, impact-driven business model. The company is expanding its portable power station business to North America and seeking partners to develop new use cases and technologies. 

We offer expertise and collaborative opportunities for innovators and companies in cutting-edge manufacturing and sustainable energy solutions. 

I-PEX USA Manufacturing will continue to provide solutions for the mobility industry and beyond, offering comprehensive I-PEX solutions for a wide range of industries. 

For more information about our battery solution RENERATH, please visit the website. 

I-PEX is committed to supporting innovators by providing manufacturing solutions, purchasing cutting-edge automation technologies, and advancing clean energy solutions.

Whether you are looking to develop, buy, or sell innovative products and services, we would like to collaborate with you.