Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
Our company has renewed its business process as a manufacturer of unique strength under leadership with an excellent company philosophy. We obtained Aichi Brand Company certification because we create brand value for customers from a customer-oriented perspective, while paying attention to the environment at the same time. We are a specialized maker. We use our unique processing method to turn universal joints, which are said to be consumables, into excellent functional parts that excel in precision, strength, and durability. Our main products for automobiles are steering joints produced using the cold forging method. They realize a higher level of operability, safety, comfort, and economy for steering mechanisms. 

[Business description]
We manufacture and sell steering joints for motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, and industrial vehicles. We also manufacture and sell universal joints for various kinds of equipment.
Our company was the first in Japan to develop steering joints for cars through a cold forging method. We now supply products to major makers both domestically and overseas as an independent maker.
We started production in Thailand and China for products shipped overseas to facilitate our global expansion. 

[Industry]
Transport equipment manufacturing

[Strength of products/technologies]
In 1977 our company was the first in Japan to develop a steering joint produced by means of a cold forging method. This product has been supplied to major domestic makers for many vehicles ever since, including next-generation hybrid cars. Our company’s share is over 90% in the domestic rice transplanter (tractor) market. Our product has evolved into a next-generation free-sliding shaft by integrating our original cold forging method with newly conceived film coating technology. This realizes a higher level of downsizing and lightening, functionality and durability, and cost reduction. 

[Representative's message]
Three types of development are positioned as critical components in enhancing our brand value as a manufacturer. We will resolve any issues that our customers encounter in a timely manner, and establish the Kyowa brand as a global brand. 
[Our vision]
Three types of development: “Kyowa brand”
1) Develop new markets (realize new applications).
2) Develop a strong structure (manufacturing methods and equipment should be our own).
3) Develop optimal design (offer overwhelming value in Q, C, D, S, and E). 

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
Our point of contact for sales established in the global group accepts inquiries from within Japan and overseas.
They support inquiries from potential customers by cooperating with the technology group.
Our plants in Thailand and China are under the supervision of the global group, so they are also used as sites of international sales activities.

[Market share/Ranking]
Shares in the domestic agricultural machine (tractor) and rice transplanter markets are over 90%.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
300 of Japan’s Vibrant Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs, 2007; 28th Formed and Fabricated Materials Industry Technology Award (SME Agency Director-General’s Award), 2012; Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tokai Branch Award (Technology Award), Best SME IT Management Award, 2013 (honorable mention by the review committee); Nagoya City Industrial Technology Contest Grand Prix 2010 (Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute Director Award).

[Media]
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, cover story on October 23 to 26, 2012; “SME Story: Victory (Kyowa Kogyo);” story on June 4, 2013; “Secret of Success: Supplying Next Generation Steering Components.” Chubu Keizai Shimbun, “Future Motor Vehicles and Technologies: Technology Development Competition on Miniaturization and Weight Reduction of Motor Vehicles,” November 23, 2013. 

[Authorization/Certification]
Strategic Core Technology Advancement Program approval, New Partnerships approval, ISO 9001/ISO 14001 certification (Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity).

[Joint research and development]
Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute (Strategic Core Technology Advancement Program), Nagoya Institute of Technology.

[Factory (domestic)]
Aichi, Shiga

[Other sites]
Headquarters, Aichi

[Transaction form]
Sales of universal joint products.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
[Motor Vehicles] Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi.
[Agricultural Machinery] Kubota, Yanmer, Iseki, Mitsubishi.
[Industrial Vehicles] L&F, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Komatsu, Hitachi.
Other machine tools are delivered to the makers of final products. 

[Exhibition History/Information]
Tokyo Motor Show 2013, Nagoya Motor Show 2013, Chubu Monozukuri Craftsmanship Base Technology Expo 2014.