Hitachi is a Japanese group headquartered in Tokyo. Classified in the hardware sector, it extends far beyond computer equipment: its activities include electrical equipment, railway systems, automation and digital services. Its positioning is based on combining physical and software technologies, aimed primarily at businesses and infrastructure operators. Its corporate website, hitachi.com, presents this international portfolio.
From electric motors to global infrastructure
Hitachi’s history began in 1910, when engineer Namihei Odaira developed electric motors for a Japanese mining operation. The company became independent in 1920 and gradually expanded into the production of electromechanical equipment, then electronics and computing. These industrial roots continue to shape the group: it designs systems intended to operate over the long term, often at the heart of essential services.
Long organized as a highly diversified conglomerate, Hitachi has undertaken a strategic refocusing on digital technology, energy, mobility and industry. Its acquisition of ABB’s power grids business in 2020, which became Hitachi Energy, strengthened its presence in energy infrastructure. Its acquisition of GlobalLogic in 2021 expanded its capabilities in software engineering and digital product development. These transactions illustrate a strategy that brings together equipment, industry expertise and data processing.
From connected equipment to digital services
In energy, Hitachi supplies transformers, conversion systems and power grid control solutions, among other technologies. These technologies are used in electricity transmission, renewable energy integration and interconnections. In rail, Hitachi Rail develops rolling stock, signaling and maintenance services. The group is also active in industrial equipment and systems, as well as IT infrastructure and data storage.
The digital side complements this hardware foundation. Under the Lumada brand, Hitachi brings together solutions and expertise designed to harness operational data: equipment monitoring, process optimization and predictive maintenance. The goal is to link information from the field to customers’ IT systems. This approach requires as much knowledge of industrial constraints as it does expertise in software, integration and cybersecurity.
What next?
The modernization of power grids, the electrification of end uses and the renewal of transport systems represent significant market opportunities for Hitachi. The development of artificial intelligence is also opening up possibilities in inspection, decision support and maintenance. Their deployment nevertheless depends on data quality, system security and demonstrable operational benefits.
For the group, the challenge will be to turn the complementary strengths of its businesses into coherent offerings, without underestimating the complexity of infrastructure projects. The ability to deliver, maintain and upgrade equipment over long periods will remain just as decisive as software innovation.