EM Devices
EM Devices Corporation designs and manufactures electromechanical relays — miniature signal, automotive power, and high-voltage EV types — selling globally to automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and medical device makers under the NEXEM brand, with manufacturing in Japan and the Philippines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersShiroishi, Japan
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What EM Devices does
EM Devices Corporation is a Japanese privately-held manufacturer of electromechanical relays, headquartered in Shiroishi, Miyagi, and operating under the NEXEM brand. Established on April 14, 2017, through a spin-off from NEC TOKIN, the company inherits approximately 70 years of relay engineering heritage tracing back to NEC's 1955 wire-spring relay development and the 1970 founding of NEC Tohoku. It designs, manufactures, and sells three product lines: miniature signal relays for medical, communications, measurement, factory-automation, and office-automation equipment; automotive power relays for vehicle electrical systems including junction boxes, power distribution boxes, and motor control; and EV relays (AC relays and high-voltage DC relays) for onboard chargers and high-voltage junction boxes. Technical differentiation rests on a proprietary hinge contact structure enabling world-first or world-smallest specifications — including the AX1 (32A/4kV), ER250 (20kA short-circuit withstand, 1000m/s2 shock), EM1KT (40A latching) and EM1H (60A) — as well as non-ceramic plastic-sealed architectures delivering roughly 50% cost reduction versus predecessors.
The company operates a global direct-sales GTM model: manufacturing is concentrated at the ISO9001/IATF16949-certified Shiroishi headquarters and at two Philippines factories under EMD Technologies Philippines Inc. (combined headcount approximately 2,445 consolidated employees as of March 2026), while customer-facing sales offices are owned and operated in Japan (Tokyo), the United States (Farmington Hills, MI), Germany (Neuss), France (Massy), China (Shanghai and Shenzhen), and Taiwan (Taipei). Over 80% of automotive power-relay production is sold overseas, with named enterprise customers including Robert Bosch, Lear, Tokai Rika, Aisin, Aumovio (automotive tier-1s) and Mindray (medical devices). R&D is anchored by the NEXEM Advanced Technology Center, established at Tohoku University in December 2022, which conducts next-generation EV-relay research on arc discharge and contact dynamics. The company claims world top-class share in both signal and power relays, with cumulative production of 7.5 billion relay units, and generates revenue through B2B hardware sales of custom-specified relay components to OEMs and tier-1 suppliers — no public pricing is disclosed, and pricing is set contractually through direct-sales engagement based on specifications and volume.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, EM Devices reported consolidated net sales of 18,900 million yen on 2,445 employees, funded entirely through operating cash flow with 100 million yen paid-in capital and no disclosed institutional investors or venture funding. The company is in a transition phase: it began mass production of its first EV relay (AX1) in May 2024, launched the ER250 HVDC relay in November 2024, and introduced new CEO Takeharu Aoki in January 2026 followed by a CxO management-system adoption in June 2026 explicitly aimed at supporting global expansion and accelerating EV-relay revenue capture against NACS and other regional charging standards.
EM Devices firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EM Devices
- Legal name
- EM Devices Corporation
- Website
- https://em-devices.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- EM Devices Corporation designs and manufactures electromechanical relays — miniature signal, automotive power, and high-voltage EV types — selling globally to automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and medical device makers under the NEXEM brand, with manufacturing in Japan and the Philippines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EM Devices industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electromechanical Relays
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (3359)
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electromechanical Components (Relays, Switches, Potentiometers, Encoders) (IMAGAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Charging Hardware Manufacturing (On-board Chargers, Charge Inlets, DC-DC) (IMACAJAK), EV/Industrial Charging Power Electronics (Chargers, rectifiers, power stages) (IMAGADAF), Automotive ECUs/Control Modules & Embedded Electronics Manufacturing (IMACAJAC)
Keywords
Where EM Devices is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shiroishi
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices10 records
Markets served
EM Devices business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Relay Product Sales: EM Devices generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of electromechanical relays. The company produces three main product lines: miniature signal relays (used in medical, communications, measurement, and OA equipment), automotive power relays, and EV relays (AC relays and high-voltage DC relays). Revenue is generated through direct sales to global automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers, medical equipment manufacturers, and industrial equipment makers worldwide.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
EM Devices product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EM Devices designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electromechanical relays for automotive, medical, communications, and industrial applications. The company's product portfolio spans three core lines: miniature signal relays (for medical devices, communications equipment, measurement instruments, FA equipment, and home appliances), automotive power relays (for vehicle electrical systems including junction boxes, power distribution boxes, and motor control), and EV relays (AC relays for onboard chargers and high-voltage DC relays for battery management). Production occurs in Japan and the Philippines, with global direct sales to automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, medical equipment manufacturers, and industrial equipment makers.
Product overview
EM Devices (brand: NEXEM) is a relay manufacturer offering three core product lines: Miniature Signal Relays for medical, communication, and industrial equipment; Automotive Power Relays for vehicle electrical systems; and EV Relays (AC Relays and High Voltage DC Relays) for electric vehicles. The company has developed several world-first products including twin relays (1988), and continues to introduce industry-leading compact relays such as the AX1 series for EV onboard chargers, ER250 for high voltage DC applications, and EM1 series for automotive power distribution. The product portfolio spans from signal-level switching to high-voltage EV applications, with a focus on miniaturization and reliability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Miniature Signal Relays (ミニチュアシグナルリレー) Miniature signal relays designed for high-contact-reliability applications including medical devices (ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, patient monitors, ventilators), communications equipment, measurement instruments, factory automation (FA) equipment, and home appliances. Available in flat, slim, low power consumption, and environmental-resistant configurations for high-density PCB mounting.
- Automotive Power Relays (車載用パワーリレー) Automotive power relays for vehicle electrical systems covering medium to large capacity loads. Supports applications including junction boxes, power distribution boxes, motor control (twin relays), infotainment systems, and safety systems. Manufactured under IATF16949 quality standards for global automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers.
- EV Relays (AC Relays / High-Voltage DC Relays) High-voltage and high-current relay family for electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) applications, including AC relays for onboard chargers (AX1, BX1 series) and high-voltage DC relays for battery systems and junction boxes (ER250 series). Supports NACS-compatible charging standards with voltage ratings up to 3,000V.
- AX1 AC Relay AC relay for xEV onboard chargers (BEV and PHEV). World's smallest in 32A/insulation withstand voltage 4kV class at 15.8x21.5x20.5mm and approximately 16g. Contact ratings 16A and 32A at 277VAC. NACS-compliant versions available for North American EV charging standards.
- ER250 High-Voltage DC Relay High-voltage DC relay for xEV high-voltage junction boxes. Contact rating 250A-450Vdc. Non-ceramic (plastic sealed) structure for smaller size and lower cost. Achieves world-highest short-circuit withstand performance of 20kA/5ms and world-highest shock resistance of 1000m/s2 through proprietary hinge structure.
- EM1KT Latching Relay 40A class latching relay for automotive junction boxes and power distribution boxes. World's smallest in its class at 12.4x14.4x16.3mm, weighing 8g. Supports miniaturization and higher current requirements.
- EM1H Power Relay 60A class power relay for automotive applications. World's smallest in its class at 12.4x14.4x16.8mm, weighing 8g. Supports 60A fuse rating. Targets junction boxes and power distribution boxes requiring miniaturization and higher current.
- BX1 High-Capacity AC Relay NACS-compatible high-voltage, high-capacity onboard AC relay with 3,000V open-circuit voltage rating and 60A rated current. Dimensions 25.0x20.0x28.5mm. Contact types include 1a (19g) and 1c (25g). Coil rated 12VDC/3.0W. World's smallest in its class.
- HX1 Power Relay High power type automotive power relay with high current carry performance for automotive electrical equipment applications.
- Twin Relays (World's First) World's first twin relay developed and mass-produced in 1988. Twin relays package two relay elements in one cover, reversing actuator current direction within a single housing. Enables miniaturization, weight reduction, lower cost, and easier implementation compared to using two separate relays.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 billion signal relay units and 7.5 billion total relay units cumulative production
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use EM Devices
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
EM Devices technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
EM Devices partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Hagiwara Electronics Co., Ltd.minorEM Devices was featured on Hagiwara Electronics' partner introduction page on their official website (hagiwara-ele.com) starting April 2025. Hagiwara Electronics also featured EM Devices in their YouTube channel series 'Erekomi' with three videos covering EM Devices' relay market leadership, EV relay development story, and global operations and future outlook.
- BeeX Inc.minorEM Devices' information systems department worked with BeeX Inc. on a cloud migration project for SAP systems. The collaboration was featured as a case study on BeeX's customer reference page.
- Tohoku UniversitycoreEM Devices established the NEXEM Advanced Technology Center within Tohoku University's Material Solutions Center (MaSC) in December 2022 for joint research on next-generation EV relays. The partnership focuses on analysis of electrical contact arc discharge phenomena, contact dynamics, and contact stability during current flow for high-voltage, high-current electromagnetic relays. EM Devices concluded a joint research agreement with Specially Appointed Professor Hideaki Sone of Tohoku University's Organization for Data Synergy. Research targets include developing lighter, higher-performance relays for EV applications while considering ESG and SDG factors.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EM Devices competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Denso Corporation: Denso is a large global automotive tier-1 supplier with a broad portfolio including automotive electrical and electronic components, often captive-supplying relays to Toyota and other OEMs. Represents both a customer-adjacent incumbent and a potential vertical integration threat in automotive relays.
- Sensata Technologies: Sensata is a global supplier of sensors, switches, and electromechanical controls including high-voltage contactors for EV and energy storage. Overlaps with EM Devices' EV relay business as a broader incumbent serving automotive, industrial, and aerospace customers.
Direct peers
- Omron Corporation: Omron is a leading global manufacturer of signal relays, automotive relays, and EV charging contactors, directly competing with EM Devices' NEXEM-branded portfolio. Both serve automotive, medical, and industrial OEMs with miniaturized electromechanical switching solutions.
- TE Connectivity: TE Connectivity is a major manufacturer of automotive relays, including high-voltage DC contactors for EV battery disconnect and onboard charging applications. Competes directly with EM Devices' ER250 and AX1 product lines, serving similar global automotive tier-1 and OEM customers.
- Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd. Panasonic's industrial components division manufactures a broad range of electromechanical relays, signal relays, and automotive relays, directly competing with EM Devices across all three product lines (signal, power, and EV). Comparable Japanese industrial relay manufacturer with overlapping automotive OEM customer base.
- Pickering Electronics: Pickering Electronics manufactures miniature reed relays and signal relays for test & measurement, medical, and communications applications. Directly comparable to EM Devices' miniature signal relay product line serving similar high-reliability customer segments.
- Fujitsu Component Limited: Fujitsu Component manufactures miniature signal relays and automotive relays, with a heritage in Japanese electronics comparable to EM Devices' NEC TOKIN lineage. Directly competes in signal relay segments serving communications, measurement, and automotive applications.
- Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd. Hongfa is one of the world's largest relay manufacturers, producing automotive power relays, signal relays, and EV relays. Directly comparable to EM Devices in product scope, target automotive OEM customers, and global manufacturing footprint, with significant presence in signal and power relay categories.
- Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic Co. / Hongfa Germany: Already listed as Hongfa Technology above; representative office of Hongfa serving European automotive OEMs competes head-to-head with EM Devices Europe GmbH in Neuss. Serves Bosch, Continental, and other German tier-1s with comparable signal and power relay products.
Emerging players
- Schaltbau Holding AG: Schaltbau specializes in DC contactors and relays for EV charging, railway, and energy storage applications. Directly comparable to EM Devices' ER250 high-voltage DC relay business, but focused on the European market and rail/EV charging infrastructure segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EM Devices social profiles
Digital presenceEM Devices compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
EM Devices financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EM Devices leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
EM Devices subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
EM Devices funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EM Devices M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EM Devices
What does EM Devices do?
EM Devices designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electromechanical relays for automotive, medical, communications, and industrial applications. The company's product portfolio spans three core lines: miniature signal relays (for medical devices, communications equipment, measurement instruments, FA equipment, and home appliances), automotive power relays (for vehicle electrical systems including junction boxes, power distribution boxes, and motor control), and EV relays (AC relays for onboard chargers and high-voltage DC relays for battery management). Production occurs in Japan and the Philippines, with global direct sales to automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, medical equipment manufacturers, and industrial equipment makers.
Is EM Devices a public or private company?
EM Devices is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was EM Devices founded?
EM Devices was founded in 2017. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is EM Devices based?
EM Devices is headquartered in Shiroishi, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does EM Devices make money?
One revenue line is on record: relay Product Sales.
Who are EM Devices's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Denso Corporation and Sensata Technologies. Direct peers are Omron Corporation, TE Connectivity, Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd., Pickering Electronics, Fujitsu Component Limited, Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd. and Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic Co. / Hongfa Germany. Schaltbau Holding AG is listed as an emerging player.
Does EM Devices have an API?
No public API is recorded for EM Devices.
What industry is EM Devices in?
EM Devices's product category is Electromechanical Relays. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAJAB, Electromechanical Components (Relays, Switches, Potentiometers, Encoders), with a secondary code of IMACAJAK, Automotive Charging Hardware Manufacturing (On-board Chargers, Charge Inlets, DC-DC). Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3670.