Early Life
Shigenobu Nagamori was born in Kyoto, Japan, in 1944, into a farming family. He graduated from the Polytechnic University (formerly Institute of Vocational Training) near Tokyo with a degree in electrical engineering in 1967. After working for two engineering firms, Nagamori founded Nidec Corporation in 1973, at the age of 28. The company was initially focused on manufacturing precision motors for hard-disk drives, starting in a small prefabricated shed.
Rise to Success
Through aggressive mergers and acquisitions, Nagamori grew Nidec into a global enterprise. He integrated over 50 companies, expanding the company's reach and market share. In 1979, Nidec commercialized the world's first spindle motor for 8-inch hard disk drives, marking its entry into the data storage sector. Nidec achieved listings on major stock exchanges, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1998 and the New York Stock Exchange in 2001 (delisted in 2016). Nagamori's leadership emphasized innovation, with Nidec holding the top position in units sold for hard-disk and optical drive motors.
Key Business Strategies
Nagamori's management philosophy emphasized "passion," "enthusiasm," and "tenacity." He promoted merit-based hiring and development, regardless of academic or professional background. His strategies included aggressive mergers and acquisitions, vertical integration, and continuous investment in research and development. Nagamori focused on high-value segments like traction motors and drivetrain systems for electric vehicles.
Philanthropy
Nagamori established the Nagamori Foundation to support scientific and industrial development. The foundation administers the Nagamori Awards, which recognize achievements in motor-related technologies. He has also extended his influence to education, serving as chairman of the Nagamori Gakuen Educational Foundation since 2018, overseeing the establishment of Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS).