Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
(1) We have accumulated experience by giving guidance on casting tests and studying solutions to issues as a technical consulting liaison regarding Biwalite. We have conducted applied research on new materials to satisfy user needs, such as trial manufacturing, plating, and brazing. Our experience includes data on casting experiments that we have conducted with many manufacturers as well as commercialization know-how. 
(2) We are capable of jointly conducting material analysis and performance evaluation testing with Shiga Valve Cooperative, Kansai University, and the Northeastern Industrial Research Center of Shiga Prefecture. They are our joint development partners.
These are our company’s advantages.


[Business description]
Our company holds an exclusive license to use the domestic patent for Biwalite lead-free copper alloy, which is owned by Shiga Valve Cooperative and Shiga Prefecture. We receive license fees and promote sales of Biwalite. We also provide technical consulting services, including trial manufacturing and applied research. Our company supplies Biwalite ingots to domestic Japanese users through three licensed ingot manufacturers in Japan, and to overseas users through three licensed ingot manufacturers in the United States. (We do not manufacture ingots ourselves.)



[Industry]
Operation and management of patents related to Biwalite lead-free copper alloy and related sales promotion

[Strength of products/technologies]
Biwalite is an environmentally friendly lead-free copper alloy that greatly contributes to the conservation of resources. Many companies use materials based on bismuth or silicone, which are subject to pressure leaks, processing cracks, and contamination. These issues cause many materials to be discarded as scrap that cannot be recycled. Biwalite is highly pressure-resistant, free of erosion or corrosion, and excellent in recycling efficiency. These features result in Biwalite being highly appreciated among user companies and manufacturers performing casting tests. Biwalite is also used in the United States, and highly appreciated as an environmentally friendly material.



[Representative's message]
The American Foundry Society (AFS) took note of Biwalite as a copper alloy that satisfies the lead content regulations that took effect in January 2014. The issue of scrap will be solved to conserve resources. The European Copper Institute (ECI) has noted in a paper that the use of bismuth in copper alloys is to be phased out. The future trend of copper alloys is expected to start to change, driven by the United States and EU. A major German manufacturer of water faucet devices has started to actively manufacture trial products using Biwalite, and we anticipate that this trend will reach Japan. We will continue to work with municipal waterworks bureaus, who are the main users in Japan.



[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
Our sales department works with the sales departments of our licensed ingot manufacturers for sales in Japan. Our company responds to various inquiries regarding technology and manufactures trial products with Matsubayashi Co., Ltd., a copper alloy casting manufacturer that participated in the project to develop Biwalite. Our licensed US ingot manufacturers are in charge of sales in the United States and other overseas areas. We provide technical consulting with Matsubayashi Co., Ltd. We have no problems about doing business in English.

[Market share/Ranking]
Our market shares and ranks in Japan and the United States are unknown.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, Kinki Regional Invention Awards, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Director's Encouragement Award and Distinguished Service Award; The 22nd Small and Medium Enterprise Superior New Technology and Product Awards, Excellence Award; and two more awards (The Resona Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion, and so on).

[Media]
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and so on, "Development of lead-free copper alloy" (May 10, 2006); Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, and so on, "Advance into USA of strengthened lead regulation" (January 21, 2013); and many others.


[Authorization/Certification]
JIS CAC411, CDA/ASTM 83470.

[Joint research and development]
Registered patents: Japanese Patent No. 3957308 (Lead-Free Copper Alloy with Excellent Pressure Resistance for Casting and one more; US Patent No. US8,470,101.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
We do not manufacture ingots ourselves. Three major Japanese ingot manufacturers (Joetsu Bronz1 Corporation, Nihon Bronze Co., Ltd., and Chuetsu Metal Works Co., Ltd.) manufacture and sell ingots under our license. We provide Biwalite ball valves to a major manufacturer of valves for waterworks and other domestic Japanese users through a valve manufacturer in Hikone City.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
I. Schumann, Federal Metal, and Atlas Pacific manufacture and sell Biwalite ingots in the United States with our license. Major users are Tyco, Maass Midwest, Ford Meter, and AY McDonald.