During his 2018 trip to Japan, Dave Branch, Publisher of Dental Product Shopper, sat down with NSK President Eiichi Nakanishi, a member of the family that founded NSK. Mr. Nakanishi discussed his continued focus on building state-of-the-art air and electric handpieces—just as the company has for decades. He said he is extremely proud of the 180 R&D engineers working to improve on what he would argue are already the best handpieces on the market. Here is an excerpt of their discussion:
Q: We talk a lot about technology and the digital dentist. Right now, your company is growing organically and you're going to focus on continuing to grow in handpieces. Down the road a few years, will there be an intraoral scanner or a new technology like that here at NSK?
A: I don't think so. That's not our specialty. Our specialty is in fine mechanical engineering and manufacturing. Our core competencies are high-speed rotary technology and ultrasonic technology. That is our base. Intraoral cameras or 3D scanners or 3D printers...We don't think we will move into that kind of segment.
Q: Can you tell us how your manufacturing line has evolved in the past few years?
A: Over the past 5 years, we’ve invested a lot in our manufacturing facilities as well as our R&D, and we’ve installed a large amount of state-of-the-art machinery in our facilities. Our efficiencies have increased dramatically, and our product has been improving. We are continuously improving our handpieces in the areas of quality, noise level, vibration, and durability.
Q: Without giving me any secrets, what can we expect from NSK in the pipeline over the next 5 to 10 years?
A: I think in 5 to 10 years, still rotary instruments, but we are continuing to improve their quality and durability. We are continuously evolving in that segment. But, now, especially in European countries, infection control is becoming very strict, so we are making modifications to the instruments.
Q: Are you happy with how NSK has grown in the United States? Are you feeling good about that or do you think there's more?
A: I am happy, but I am not so satisfied yet. We are No. 1 globally, and that is because of our history and our legacy of quality and innovation. Over time, as we maintain that, we will grow in the United States.
Q: What is your message to the dentists in the United States today?
A: You can trust our handpiece because it is the most durable and the most respectable handpiece in the world. We take a great deal of pride in our technology and in being able to offer a safer, faster, more reliable, and more economical handpiece for the dentist to use in their daily practice.
