Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
Sudden summer downpours and bigger typhoons have been increasing recently, and they frequently cause landslide disasters. In these circumstances the erosion prevention function of our main product the Takino Filter is more highly appreciated than conventional methods. This filter is used to protect slopes beside expressways or other roads. Now it is also widely used in devastated areas for environmental restoration after a landslide, greening rocky terrain, dam construction, or river control. Last year the Takino Filter was highly evaluated for its erosion prevention functions in Indonesia (devastated land around Gunung Batur). Our company is committed to making products to meet customer needs with a site-oriented policy.

[Business description]
Our company mainly manufactures and sells Takino Filter civil engineering materials. They prevent erosion and have nature restoration functionality. Our products are mainly used in construction projects by governmental agencies and local governments. We also provide products that meet various on-site needs. Our business is to create an environment of greenery, soil, and water by providing safe and secure farming materials for environmentally friendly farming and water purification materials.

[Industry]
Civil engineering and environmental material manufacturing

[Strength of products/technologies]
Our company’s uniquely developed Takino Filter has a web (nonwoven fabric structure) of which the fiber type, fiber diameter, and tensile strength can be changed. This structure allows the filter to have various functions by using fibers with particular functions. Materials with special functions can be implemented, or the shape and color can be changed. This multifunctional nonwoven product can be widely used for many purposes in addition to civil engineering. These include environmental conservation materials for water and air purification, deodorization and sterilization, interior materials for buildings and vehicles, clothing materials, and medical materials.

[Representative's message]
The Takino Filter has a proven ability to protect slopes with easily eroded soils (soils subject to erosion by rainfall or frost heaving) in Japan and abroad. It can also be used for greening land without recourse to non-native vegetation. We believe that the Takino Filter is a globally unrivalled technology and product capable of preventing disasters and restoring the natural environment. Our company can propose goods and services based on these technologies that quickly meet on-site needs. This includes the use of symbiotic microorganisms (mycorrhizal fungi) to green strongly acid soils. The Takino Filter is applicable to the restoration of natural environments using local surface soils and various other purposes.

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
On September 9, 2013 our company concluded a consignment contract with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This was for the Project for Spreading and Demonstrating Disaster Prevention, Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Rehabilitation Technologies in Indonesia. We plan to construct a manufacturing factory in Bali in April this year. For the time being we will extend our business to ASEAN countries, and mainly Indonesia. We will establish an overseas sales expansion team for business expansion abroad to promote production and sales activities.

[Market share/Ranking]
Volume of shipping: 1 million square meters per year.
Top share in the market for erosion-prevention curing mats and greening mats (similar articles are available, but there are no equivalents).


[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Science and Technology Award, Technical Sector, by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2012); Prize of Excellence, by the Ministry of the Environment (2012); the 4th Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Nippon Grand Award, Director-General’s Prize, by the Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (2012); and the 5th Nippon New Business Creation Grand Award, First Prize (2010).

[Media]
Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Chugoku Shimbun, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, NHK Yamaguchi (Joho Ishin! Yamaguchi).

[Authorization/Certification]
ISO 9001, and NETIS-V by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

[Joint research and development]
Yamaguchi University (feasibility survey with ODA Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund 2012 support, from December 2012 until March 2013).

[Factory (domestic)]
main factory, Yamaguchi

[Factory (overseas)]
laboratory, Indonesia

[Transaction form]
Product sales, joint development, and OEM contracts.

[Transaction terms]
Agency sales, delivery to anywhere in Japan, and shipping from the factory at the head office (Yamaguchi Prefecture).

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Construction projects ordered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Shin-Tomei, Shin-Meishin, Kisei, etc.), NEXCO (Shin-Meishin), local governments, housing companies (Daiwa House Industry), large general contractors (Kajima Corporation, Taisei Corporation, etc.), medium-sized general contractors (Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd., Hazama Corporation, etc.), and local regional construction companies.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
Feasibility survey with ODA Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund 2012 support (Indonesia).

[Exhibition History/Information]
Japan International SME Exhibition (planned); International Trade Fair for Construction by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (planned).