Japan-based
Horiba Ltd has confirmed an ambitious plan to transform its Kyoto base with the construction of a new global headquarters on the site of its long‑standing Kisshoin facility in Minami‑ku. Work on the project began in December 2025, with completion targeted for January 2028, marking a significant milestone for the company as it approaches the 75th anniversary of its founding.
The existing head office, completed in 1997, has served the business for nearly three decades during a period of rapid growth. Over that time, Horiba’s net sales increased approximately seven-fold, operating profit rose 15-fold, and its workforce expanded to around four-times its original size. With the company’s medium‑ to long‑term management plan,
MLMAP 2028, setting its sights on 500 billion yen in sales, the organisation has concluded that a more robust and globally coordinated headquarters is essential to sustain its long‑term ambitions.
The new 10‑storey building, which includes a basement level, will provide around 11-times the floor area of the current structure. The expanded capacity will allow Horiba to reconfigure how it operates, enabling more agile decision‑making and tighter integration across its global network. A central feature of the design is the creation of a dedicated “Global Operation Floor”, provisionally named, where an international business strategy team will be based.
This group will act as a strategic command centre, working across divisions to gather insights, formulate plans and accelerate execution. The intention is to connect functions such as R&D and sales more seamlessly, resolve issues at a company-wide level, and foster synergies across the group’s operations.
The headquarters will adopt an activity‑based working model, replacing traditional fixed workstations with flexible work environments tailored to the nature of different tasks. A central atrium and grand staircase will create a sense of openness, with circulation spaces and collaborative zones designed to encourage interaction among employees from diverse backgrounds.
Cross‑cultural communicationIn keeping with Horiba’s long-established commitment to openness, the executive floor will include a compact “Mini FUN HOUSE”, inspired by its larger counterpart in Shiga Prefecture — a venue used for global management meetings and training programmes. This new space aims to promote the cross‑cultural communication and informal dialogue that the company regards as essential to its identity.
Visitors will also be given greater insight into Horiba’s heritage and technological strengths. The first floor will include the “Horiba Museum”, an area planned to showcase the company’s history and guiding principles. The second floor will house the “Horiba Showcase”, combining real products with technologies such as 3-D projection to provide an immersive introduction to Horiba’s global reach and innovations. The firm is also considering making its 500‑seat main hall and various experimental spaces available for community use, with a view to supporting STEAM education and strengthening ties with local residents and institutions.
The project also includes a wider reorganisation of Horiba’s domestic footprint. Planning, strategy, administrative and sales functions currently spread across Horiba Ltd, Horiba STEC Co Ltd and Horiba Advanced Techno Co Ltd will be sited at the new headquarters. This consolidation will free capacity at other regional sites — including the existing head office, the Biwako E‑HARBOR facility, Horiba Techno Service’s headquarters and the Kyoto Fukuchiyama Factory — to strengthen manufacturing, development and service operations. Some of these sites are expected to take on expanded roles in industry‑academia collaboration, government partnerships and inter‑company innovation initiatives.
Dan Horiba, Member of the Board of directors and project leader for the Horiba World Headquarters Project, said: “To achieve true long-term growth toward becoming a company with annual revenue of one trillion yen, Horiba believes a central hub for stronger global collaboration is essential and has launched the ‘Horiba World Headquarters Project’. The new global headquarters will maximise its role as the group’s strategic hub and cross-functional enabler by connecting our group operations, leading problem-solving, and driving innovation.”
He continued: “It will also serve as a place to ‘showcase the full breadth of Horiba’, with meticulous attention to exhibition content and layout, delivering ‘Honmamon’ value that inspires both employees and visitors. The new global headquarters is scheduled to be completed in 2028; the year Horiba celebrates its 75th anniversary.”