News

01/05/2026News Releases

EXEDY acquires AileLinX assets from Kitagawa Corporation to strengthen its drone business.

EXEDY Corporation is pleased to announce that, following the termination of the “UAV Promotion Office” and the business operations of its subsidiary ” AileLinX Inc. ” (hereafter, ‘AileLinX’) of Kitagawa Corporation (President and CEO: Mikio Okano, Headquarters: Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture, listed on the TSE Standard Market) (hereafter, ‘Kitagawa’), EXEDY has acquired the business assets related to UAV development previously possessed by Kitagawa and AileLinX.

Overview of the Transfer

We have acquired the following assets from Kitagawa and AileLinX.

1. Target Business: Kitagawa’s ‘UAV Promotion Office’ and AileLinX’s ‘UAV Development Project’.
2. Technical Assets: Equipment and facilities related to product development, and intellectual property rights.
3. Products: The products developed and owned by the relevant business.

Please note that this acquisition pertains solely to the aforementioned business assets and does not involve the assumption of any liabilities of the transferor.

Background of the Business Acquisition and Strengthening the Organization through Technological Integration

EXEDY is promoting expansion into the next-generation mobility sector, including drones, leveraging drivetrain technology cultivated in the automotive industry. Meanwhile, Kitagawa has established a track record and technical expertise in the development of industrial unmanned aerial vehicles. With the termination of Kitagawa’s UAV business, EXEDY has decided to acquire these assets to further develop and build upon their valuable technological expertise, particularly the “proprietary flight controller aircraft control technology.”

By integrating EXEDY’s “quality assurance and mass production expertise” with the “UAV control and design expertise” inherited from Kitagawa, we will establish an even safer, higher-performing, and higher-quality drone development system.

Future Outlook

EXEDY will leverage this opportunity of inheriting technological assets to pursue new value creation through drones. As the social implementation of drones progresses, we will strengthen aircraft development, solution provision, and expansion into DaaS (Drone as a Service) to accelerate problem-solving for our customers. Moving forward, through the development of drone products essential to society, we will contribute to accelerating the social implementation of drones and realizing a better society.

(For Reference)

We have formulated a Long-term Vision for the fiscal year 2050. This vision was developed based on our corporate philosophy (“Creation of Fulfillment”) and the significant changes in our business environment. In 2024, to realize our Long-term Vision, we announced our Mid- to Long-term Strategy, consisting of business strategies, financial strategies, and ESG strategies, and our Mid-Term Management Plan “REVOLUTION 2026.” We aim to improve corporate value through the execution of this strategy. This item is based on the aforementioned Mid- to Long-term Strategy.

Excerpt from EXEDY Materials for the 2nd Quarter Financial Results Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2026.*

About AileLinX Inc.

About Kitagawa Corporation

Kitagawa Corporation is a machinery manufacturer headquartered in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It has expanded its operations globally, building upon its metal casting materials business, workholding equipment business, and industrial machinery business.