What happens when you combine Japanese strength with Israeli ingenuity? You get SMC Automation Israel, a subsidiary of the Japanese corporation SMC. The Japanese corporation was founded in 1959 with the goal of providing advanced automation solutions to Japanese industries, and since then has become the world's leading company in market share for industrial automation. It decided to open its Israeli branch in 2019, understanding that Israel is fertile ground for advanced industries, semiconductors, medical and military equipment, pharmaceuticals, the digital printing industry, and more. SMC called upon Gal Moshe, who has served as the company's General Managerever since.
The SMC Israeli center in Modi'in – which includes offices, a logistics center, innovation labs, and a showroom – serves as a significant knowledge and development hub. The solutions developed there are integrated into products manufactured in Israel and abroad and are marketed worldwide. However, the local added value is maintained: precise adaptation of the solution to customer needs, the application, and the demands of the Israeli market.
"The company's offices and logistics center serve as the engine of activity – from precise characterization of customer needs, through engineering design, to the supply and implementation of advanced automation solutions," says Gal Moshe.
The company operates in three main segments: Pneumatics , and motion systems based on compressed air, including valves, cylinders, vacuum systems, and air treatment; mechatronics – smart electric drive systems; and flow control for liquids and gases – a field that also includes chillers for localized industrial cooling (a prominent product in this category).
According to Gal , the combination of these technologies, along with advanced control solutions and data monitoring and analysis capabilities, allows customers to improve performance, optimize processes, and advance towards Industry 4.0 applications.
"As part of manufacturers' constant aspiration to improve performance and increase output and Throughput
, there is a significant increase in heat loads within systems," explains Gal Moshe. "Components, systems, and machines generate heat during operation and require precise temperature stabilization to maintain high performance, reliability, and accuracy over time."
"SMC's industrial chillers provide a complete solution for this need, with a wide power range of 200W to 40Kw and a variety of cooling technologies – including air-to-air systems, water-to-water, and advanced thermoelectric solutions."
Gal Moshe also notes that in recent years there has been a sharp increase in demand for chillers, especially in the Semiconductor industry and advanced industrial applications.
"We offer a wide range of reliable solutions, alongside a full service package – from needs assessment in the pre-sales stage, through performing simulations, to the precise adaptation of the most optimal and economical solution for the customer."
What other products do you consider flagship products?
"We have a smart solution for managing and optimizing compressed air consumption in industrial systems, combining energy saving, automatic control, and advanced IoT capabilities. The product was developed specifically for knowledge - and technology -intensive industries, factories where compressed air is a critical and expensive resource. The system provides dynamic control of pressure and flow according to machine status and process requirements, transforming an operational component into a smart platform for energy management and automation – connecting the world of compressed air to the digital ecosystem. The result: significant savings in air and electricity consumption, alongside advanced control and full integration with Industry 4.0 principles, which are becoming the industry standard."
From Engineering Characterization to After-Sales Service
Indeed, SMC sees itself as a leading strategic partner in the area of smart industry. It is clear to Gal Moshe and his team that digital transformation is changing the rules of the game, and that the company must be at the forefront of the transition from traditional factories to smart production systems.
"Customers today are looking for transparency, predictability, and smart control," he says. "We provide this by combining advanced pneumatics technologies with digital solutions, enabling a transition from hardware-only systems to data-driven systems, with real-time control over production processes." According to Gal, the solutions include, among other things, advanced industrial communication, smart management of compressed air system energy consumption, wireless solutions that reduce reliance on cable infrastructure, and sensors for monitoring critical parameters such as pressure, flow, and temperature. All of these rely on continuous optimization of system performance.
"The goal is to make the production floor smarter, more precise, and more automated," Gal adds. "Through the tools we provide, customers benefit not only from improved performance but also from fault prediction capability and proactive maintenance planning, which reduces operating costs and prevents downtime, which can lead to significant losses."
Who are your main customers?
"In terms of segments, the semiconductor industry is the main driver – customers in this field appreciate quality, reliability, and precision, and therefore see SMC as a natural partner, even when it comes to premium solutions. They understand that the cost of failure or downtime is immeasurably higher than the investment in a quality product. However, our activity is much broader – we also work with companies in pharmaceuticals, medical, defense, aviation, digital printing, and indeed with a wide range of manufacturing and technology companies. In each of these fields, we know how to bring value – to improve performance, optimize processes, and raise the level of automation and reliability."
According to him, SMC operates in full partnership with the customer throughout the entire value chain – from engineering characterization, through sales and supply, to after-installation service. "All company departments – engineering, sales, operations, and logistics – work together to ensure a complete solution and full satisfaction. Our sales team consists of Engineers who deeply understand the application and know how to adapt the precise solution."
"The support does not end with installation – we continue with the customer in the post-sale stage, including support, service, and integration of customized solutions as needed."
In the industrial world, there is currently a shift from pneumatics to electric drive. What is it stemming from?
"In recent years, we have seen a gradual shift in some pneumatic applications towards electric drive solutions," explains Gal Moshe. "The main reason is the ability of electric systems to provide a higher level of precision, control, and flexibility, alongside natural integration with control and data environments."
"In addition, energy efficiency and sustainability considerations are increasingly taking center stage, as part of global ESG trends. Electric drive systems enable precise control over energy consumption, waste reduction, and improved utilization – making them particularly attractive for organizations working to reduce their energy footprint."
Nevertheless, he states, pneumatics continues to be a central and complementary component in industry: "Compressed air is still one of the most common energy sources, and in many applications, it offers clear advantages of simplicity, speed, and reliability."
"At SMC, we do not see this as a replacement, but rather an expansion of our solution portfolio, and we also emphasize optimizing pneumatic systems, reducing energy consumption, and smart monitoring, as part of a comprehensive vision for an efficient, smart, and sustainable industry."
Does compressed air also have disadvantages?
"Compressed air is considered one of the central infrastructures in industry – and is sometimes even called 'the fourth infrastructure,' alongside water, electricity, and gas," explains Gal Moshe. "However, it is also one of the most expensive forms of energy to produce."
"Compressed air systems operating at high pressures consume significant amounts of energy, with every one-bar increase in compression pressure raising electricity consumption by an average of 6%-8%. In practice, many factories operate at pressures of 7-8 bar – often for historical reasons rather than a real engineering need. The result is excess pressure generation, high costs, and sometimes energy losses due to leaks."
According to him, precisely because of the centrality of compressed air in the production process, it places automation engineers at the forefront of energy efficiency and sustainability. "The solution we offer is a gradual transition to SMC's 4 bar Factory technology, which allows operation at lower pressures while maintaining performance. Such a transition leads to significant energy savings and a reduction of tens of tons of CO2 per year."
"One of manufacturers' main concerns is that a reduction in pressure will come at the expense of performance or output," he adds, "but accumulated experience and examples from the field prove that correct design and engineering adaptation allow for maintaining a high level of performance – and even improving the system's overall efficiency."
And concurrently, the level of environmental sustainability improves.
"Absolutely, global SMC consistently works to promote the field of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). In recent years, ESG has become a key indicator for responsible organizational activity – one that measures not only financial performance but also the ability to manage efficient, responsible, and sustainable industrial activity. Beyond environmental aspects, implementing ESG principles also contributes to long-term business resilience through improved operational efficiency, resource savings, and risk reduction."
Advantages Also at the Business Level
Gal Moshe, an Electronics Engineer by education, brings with him rich experience in sales, marketing, and management within a technological environment, alongside his activity as a mentor for individuals and organizations. Prior to his appointment as GM of SMC Israel, he served as VP of Sales and Marketing at an importing company specializing in electro-optics.
"The move to SMC was a significant change for me," he says, "but I quickly understood the depth of the company's innovation and technological power. The combination of a precise engineering approach and a Japanese culture of commitment, reliability, and uncompromising adherence to promises is an exceptional strength."
According to him, one of SMC's prominent advantages is the wide range of solutions it offers: a portfolio including thousands of products in hundreds of thousands of variations, enabling precise adaptation to almost any industrial application.
Gal emphasizes that behind this success stands a leading management team and professional employees who operate together as one unit: "The company's progress in recent years is the result of collaborative work – from supply chain management led by Navit Ashkenazi, through financial management by Yulia Kapon, sales leadership by Sagi Abaiov, to engineering and project leadership by Kobi Tzarfati. Together with our dedicated team of employees, we continue to set a high standard of operational and engineering excellence."
"This ability to connect technological depth, a wide variety, and application understanding is what makes us a relevant partner for almost any manufacturing organization looking to improve and advance."
Is there no culture clash with the Japanese management?
"On the contrary, it's a learning and adaptation process that has proven itself over time," says Gal Moshe. "We implemented internal organizational processes to align with Japanese culture, especially regarding report quality, precision, and execution times. This required us to adopt higher standards, but the result is a real improvement in management and performance."
According to him, the deep connection to SMC's organizational culture was also strengthened by visits to production centers in Japan: "During these visits, I was exposed firsthand to the Japanese approach to precision, systematicity, and meticulous innovation and production processes. This is a philosophy that connects engineering excellence with operational discipline at the highest level."
"Planning at SMC is always long-term and performance-oriented," he adds. "As we progress, the advantages of the Japanese method become sharper, not only at the operational level but also as a basis for business resilience and consistent long-term growth."
What are the company's future plans?
"In the coming year, we are expected to establish an innovation visitor center at our headquarters in Modi'in, which will allow customers to be exposed firsthand to SMC's technologies and solutions. We continue to integrate advanced capabilities for monitoring, control, and data analysis into our products and solutions, as part of the digital trend in industry. Concurrently, one of SMC Israel's unique advantages is its connection to the field – through a deep understanding of local customer needs. We regularly transmit these insights to SMC's innovation centers worldwide, especially in Japan, where they are translated into new developments that are subsequently implemented on a global scale."
According to him, the company continues to strengthen its position as a leading supplier in the local market, focusing on long-term customer value: "We have a broad professional package, including dedicated technical support teams for each of our main areas of activity, who accompany the customer from the engineering characterization stage. This capability differentiates us in the market and allows us to build a true partnership with the customer. We are less focused on one-time sales and more on building a long-term relationship – based on trust, professionalism, and the ability to provide long-term value."
For more info: gal.moshe@smc-il.com
Partnered with SMC Automation Israel LTD.
