Nippon Sangyo Suishin Kiko (“NSSK”; www.nsskjapan.com) is pleased to announce that investment partnerships managed or provided with services by NSSK’s Regional Impact Fund completed a majority investment in KANTEC Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka) and Kantec Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo) (collectively the “KANTEC Group”; www.kantec.net).

The KANTEC Group is a group of companies established in November 2009. The KANTEC Group primarily engages in the business of repairing, installing, and selling natural refrigerant heat pump water heaters (Eco-Cute). It holds a significant market share in each region of Japan with its unique brand and marketing capabilities with a special focus on the Kinki, Hokuriku, and Kanto regions as its main bases.

Building on the business foundation that the KANTEC Group has established, NSSK will provide its unique NSSK Value-up Program (“NVP”), its business expertise, and domestic and international networks, working with the current management team so that the KANTEC Group can achieve more robust growth in its next stage of development. NSSK will support the planning and implementation of business improvement measures such as expanding the number of clients with the aim of achieving further sales growth, and assist in the introduction of business management methods, which includes the establishment of KPIs, strengthening of governance and compliance systems, enhancing labor management systems, disseminating corporate philosophy, and promoting ESG activities. NSSK is partnering with the current management team, who will continue to manage the KANTEC Group.