Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
We are the only company in Japan that manufactures a complete line of traffic signal lights, lighting fixtures, poles, and boxes. Recognition of our company began with the development of a product to shield traffic signal lights from the effects of late afternoon sunlight (to prevent phantom illuminations). We have continued to lead other firms especially in the development of optical units. We leveraged this technology to engage in the development of street lighting. We have our own development, design, and manufacturing operations and a high percentage of in-house production. This is why we can quickly and flexibly respond to our clients’ demands. We also have knowledge about overseas businesses gained through our business dealings overseas.

[Business description]
We develop, design, manufacture, and sell traffic signals, lighting fixtures and materials, steel support poles, and other roadway installations, structures, and fittings.

[Industry]
Traffic signal, street lighting, and other roadway installation manufacturing

[Strength of products/technologies]
Traffic signal lights and other roadway installations and structures must be highly reliable despite being used in harsh outdoor conditions. We set various design standards and testing and maintain a standards verification system using strength calculations and actual products to ensure and guarantee this reliability. We can respond to individual client demands even for single-item orders. We have the capability to design and commercialize individual products that suit the product’s installation environment and specifications. (We take about 10,000 orders a year.)
We have various safe and secure manufacturing technologies that we have accumulated in the traffic signal industry. This allows us to develop products that have unique performance characteristics. Thanks to our manufacturing knowledge and expertise in overseas procurement and quality management, our plants support JIT manufacturing.


[Representative's message]
We have received the patronage of prefectural police departments throughout Japan as a manufacturer of traffic signaling equipment for 40 years due to our safe and secure manufacturing technologies. Based on this success we recently launched an outdoor lighting business. We are also developing multipurpose intelligent lighting fixtures and poles. Our themes are landscaping, disaster prevention, crime prevention, and ecology. Our aim is to improve European-style aesthetic outdoor lighting and urban functions over standardized street lighting.
We have had experience for the last 15 years or so with small-lot exports selling LED signal lights, primarily in the Asian region. We are now working to use this opportunity to enter the attractive Asian market as a roadway infrastructure manufacturer.


[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We have set up quality assurance systems and plant management platforms that support the quality inspections performed by large corporate clients. Our organization is also structured to coordinate various departments as needed to quickly and accurately respond to all kinds of requests. We have established a subsidiary in Shanghai, China for overseas expansion. We have set up a system that can procure parts from China, sell to the China market, and gather information. Our organization also has an overseas business group. It serves as a contact point for overseas matters, gathers and manages information, acquires overseas properties, and opens up overseas plants.

[Market share/Ranking]
25% share of the Japanese traffic signal light market; 40% share of the Japanese traffic signal pole market.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Award of Excellence and the Special Award for Contributions to the Environment at the SME Excellent New Technologies and Products Awards, sponsored by the Resona Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd., April 2012; Fukuoka Business Innovation Award, Fukuoka Prefecture, March 2011; Special Award at the Nippon New Business Creation Awards, sponsored by the Japan New Business Conferences, November 2010; Design Museum Selection Vol. 11, JIDA, March 2010; 700 Sources of Kyushu Dynamism selection by the Kyushu Industrial Advancement Center, March 2008; Award of Excellence, the Second Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Nippon Grand Award, sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, August 2007; 300 of Japan’s Vibrant Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs, selection by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, April 2006; etc.


[Media]
TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, “Otona na TV” (January 18, 2014); TNC Television Nishinippon, “Momochihama Store” (November 20, 2013); RAB Aomori Broadcasting, “Newton’s Apple” (February 10, 2013); TNC Television Nishinippon, “Asia he no Tobira” (July 29, 2012); NHK World Broadcasting, “Science View” (July 26, 2012); FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting System, “Nishimura Masahiko, Data Sommelier” (August 11, 2011); Nippon Television Network, “Tsurube no Cho Yurui Kaigi” (February 23, 2011); Nippon Television Network, “Sekai Marumie! TV Tokusoubu ‘World Great TV’” (October 25, 2010); TV Asahi Network, “Nani Kore Chin Hakkei” (August 30, 2010).


[Authorization/Certification]
Obtained ISO 9001 certification in October 2001.
Obtained ISO 14001 certification in December 2005.


[Joint research and development]
Ariake National College of Technology and the Iijima Structural Design Office (development of road safety installations with vibration control functionality (steel structures) from 2004 to 2006).
Ariake National College of Technology and the Sanden Corporation (internally illuminated LED road signs using solar panels, from June 2008 to March 2010).


[Factory (domestic)]
Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Saitama

[Other sites]
Kyushu, Chugoku, Kansai, Chubu, Tokyo, Tohoku and Hokkaido business office

[Transaction form]
Please contact us.

[Transaction terms]
Please contact us.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Prefectural police departments throughout Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, NEXCO, Sumitomo Electric System Solutions Co., Ltd., Omron Corporation.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
Trois Electronics (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., Nissin Electric (Thailand) Co., Ltd., JingHua TianYang Die Casting Co., Ltd., Valmont Industries (China) Ltd., Shanghai Gang Gong Chemical Co., Ltd., Acro Metal Products Ltd., Universal Trading Services (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., HESS GmbH Licht + Form.

[Exhibition History/Information]
ITS World Congress Nagoya 2004, Lighting Fair 2011 and 2013, Las Vegas 1999, Singapore 1999, Toronto 1999, Amsterdam 2000, South Korea 2000, Kuala Lumpur 2002, Bangkok 2003, Seoul 2003, Florida 2004, China International Industry Fair 2010, Lighting Fair 2015 (scheduled).