NX Group enters into capital and business partnership agreement with, and makes additional investment in, 3D-printed prosthetics manufacturer instalimb

　NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri), entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with instalimb, Inc. (CEO: Yutaka Tokushima; hereinafter “instalimb”) on Monday, September 14, and made an additional investment in that company’s Series C funding round through the NX Global Innovation Investment Limited Partnership.

■Profile of instalimb

　Guided by the vision of “realizing a world where everyone who needs them can access high-quality prosthetics and orthotics”, instalimb provides manufacturing solutions for prosthetics and orthotics utilizing AI and 3D printing technology.

 　Proprietary AI algorithms and dedicated 3D printers enable the company to manufacture prosthetics quickly and at low cost. By promoting wider use of high-quality prosthetics, primarily in emerging markets such as the Philippines and India, instalimb helps improve the quality of life for its users.

■Background and purpose of capital and business partnership

　 The NX Group made an initial investment in instalimb in February 2024* and has since supported the company’s business growth from a logistics perspective by operating inventory warehouses in India and facilitating the international shipment of filaments (resin materials), 3D printers, and other supplies.

　 instalimb plans to expand its business into regions with relatively low adoption rates for prosthetics: South America (Chile, Brazil, etc.), Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, etc.), South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, etc.), and ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.). Extending business operations across multiple countries requires the construction of global supply chains that integrate manufacturing sites, component procurement, inventory management, international shipping, and delivery and fitting support in each country.

 　The NX Group’s additional investment and strategic partnership will allow it to leverage its own global logistics network, its expertise in the logistics systems of various countries, and its know-how in supply chain development to further support instalimb’s overseas expansion and business growth.

■Details of the initiative

 The NX Group and instalimb have formed a strategic partnership for global supply chain management (SCM) and together they will undertake the following initiatives.

1.Support in formulating global SCM strategies

　The two companies will determine the optimal placement of manufacturing, inventory, and distribution centers based on demand and business plans in each country, and establish suitable logistics systems

2.International transport and customs clearance assistance

　The NX Group will assist in transporting 3D printers, filaments (resin materials), and components (metal parts) internationally, as well as in clearing these items through customs in various countries.

3.Optimization of warehouse and inventory management

　The partners will optimize storage facility development and inventory allocation in each region to ensure reliable supply lines.

4.Establishment of logistics systems for overseas locations

　The two companies will select logistics hubs in new target countries and establish receiving, shipping, and distribution operations.

5.Closer collaboration with the NX Group

　The partners will collaborate with the NX Group’s overseas locations and local subsidiaries to support the expansion of instalim’s business operations while exploring opportunities for new joint business ventures.

■Future outlook

　instalimb plans to expand its business not only in Asia but also in Africa, Central and South America, and other regions. This partnership will allow the NX Group to support instalimb’s growth over the medium to long term and help create an environment where people around the world who need prosthetic limbs can more easily access high-quality products.

 　The NX Group will continue striving to solve social issues and enhance corporate value through logistics by forming capital and business alliances with startups and co-creation business initiatives.

■Comments from company representatives

Yutaka Tokushima, CEO instalimb, Inc.

  The NX Group has supported our business from a logistics perspective since its initial investment in 2024 by operating inventory warehouses in India and handling the international transport of 3D printers and their materials (filaments). We are very encouraged by both the additional investment and the stronger partnership that will result from concluding this capital and business agreement.

 　instalimb currently positions India as its global central fabrication hub and operates its own manufacturing facilities for prosthetics and orthotics as well as 3D printers and filaments specially designed for them. Meanwhile, our operational reach – including subsidiaries, licensees, and project sites – already extends to countries around the world. Building global supply chains to reliably deliver printers and materials manufactured in India to the rest of the world is now a critical factor that will determine the success or failure of our business.

　Working hand in hand with the NX Group, which possesses considerable expertise in global logistics networks and the logistics systems of various countries, we will build global supply chains reaching out from India to further accelerate the realization of our vision of a world where everyone in need can access high-quality prosthetics and orthotics.

Koji Aoi, General Manager, Corporate Venturing Department NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

　We are very pleased that this additional investment and the conclusion of a capital and business alliance will further strengthen our strategic partnership with instalimb. Since our initial investment in 2024, the NX Group has supported instalimb’s business growth from a logistics perspective through the operation of inventory warehouses in India and the international transport of 3D printers, filaments, and other materials. We recognize that building stable and efficient global supply chains is of paramount importance as instalimb expands its business from India to Asia, Africa, Latin America and elsewhere.

　The NX Group will leverage its logistics expertise and networks to support instalimb’s overseas expansion, while also working to create opportunities for people who use the company’s prosthetics to play active roles in warehouses and logistics operations. We look forward to working alongside instalimb to bring about societies where no one is left behind.

■Overview of investee company

*：NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS acquires stake in instalimb, a company expanding its 3D-printed prosthetics business overseas”

https://www.nipponexpress.com/press/2024/6-Mar-24-1.html