Masaki Hojo, who built Daifuku Co. into the world's largest maker of machines for handling chip materials, is once again challenging market expectations even as he prepares to make his exit from the company.
Daifuku is considering raising its earnings guidance for the medium term, according to Hojo, 69, who plans to step down as president at the end of next month.
The need for more semiconductors in cars and robots, and consumers' growing appetite for e-commerce and big data can only mean more demand for Daifuku's machinery, he says, while China looms as a possible new market for expansion.