Japan's Yaskawa, Israel's Eshed In Joint Venture

TEL AVIV - Yaskawa Electric of Japan and Israel's Eshed Robotec say they will form a company in Israel for the development of motion control products.

The two companies will each invest $925,000 in the joint venture, to be known as Yaskawa Eshed Technology (YET). YET will develop and manufacture robot controllers, drivers and other motion control products that will be sold by Yaskawa.

Yaskawa is committed to purchasing more than $25 million in YET products and services from 1997 to 2000.

Yaskawa and Eshed Robotec have been cooperating in the development of industrial robotics over the past few years.

Yaskawa is a world leader in robotic and electrical motion control with annual sales of about $2 billion.

Eshed Robotec makes computerized integrated manufacturing systems and robotics as well as automation equipment for the educational market.

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