Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joined Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and leaders of Funai Microfluidic Solutions (FMS) to celebrate the high-tech company’s recent relocation of its business unit headquarters to Lexington from Osaka, Japan.
“The commonwealth’s technology sector has been expanding, and Funai’s decision to move its headquarters here shows it’s only growing stronger,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s truly exciting that Funai’s leadership has chosen Lexington as the company’s business headquarters, and it shows that we’re building an economy here that works for all our people.”
“Congratulations to Funai,” Mayor Gorton said. “Lexington is a great place for technology companies. Our talented, highly educated workforce supports their success.”
Mike Marra, chief technology officer at FMS, said the relocation will allow the company to further tap into Lexington’s thriving technological landscape.
“The relocation of our headquarters to Lexington was a natural progression as our facility transitioned from an R&D center to the driver of our global strategy,” Marra said. “Our local dedication to advancing this technology over the course of three decades, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, has facilitated the attraction of top-tier talent. The unique blend of pioneering technology and exceptional skill sets within this facility fuels our vision.”
The resonance of this strategic shift was further amplified by Koji Yamanaka, CEO of the business unit. He also expressed gratitude for Kentucky’s support of the business community.
“The support of programs such as the Kentucky Business Investment Program and Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) has made Lexington a welcoming ecosystem for our endeavors,” Yamanaka said. “This acknowledgment reinforces our commitment to spearheading innovation in our domain. As we celebrate our 10th year as a technology powerhouse in the Lexington region, this recognition is truly an honor.”
Raymond Fortuna, director of business development, encapsulated the diverse and dynamic nature of FMS’s endeavors.
“Each day at FMS presents new challenges and opportunities. Our spectrum ranges from high-speed printing technology for food expiration dates to cosmetic devices that redefine skin aesthetics,” Fortuna said. “The establishment of the Funai Life Sciences division is a particular highlight. Our recent partnership-driven product launch revolutionizes drug discovery by enabling smaller labs to afford capabilities historically reserved only for larger operations.”
Funai’s growth has been steadfast, elevating its workforce from 34 full-time employees in January 2020 to the current tally of 50 employees. The company’s commitment to expanding in-house capabilities was affirmed by David Graham, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems development manager.
“Our significant investment in March 2022, amounting to nearly $4 million for key equipment procurement, has substantially enhanced our production throughput,” Graham said. “This augmentation also strengthens our supply chain resilience, fortifying redundancy and mitigating risks.”
Commerce Lexington President and CEO Bob Quick, said, “We are excited to welcome the division headquarters of Funai Microfluidic Solutions, a Funai Electric Co. LTD subsidiary, to Lexington. We are grateful for their investment in expanding microfluidic technology in our region’s industrial printing and life sciences sector. We applaud their R&D work to enhance this cutting-edge technology with practical applications in drug delivery, discovery and diagnostics. Funai joins a growing group of international companies with headquarters in the Greater Lexington Region. We look forward to continuing our work with the team at Funai as they continue to provide quality high-tech jobs to our community and find innovative solutions in the field of life sciences.”
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