Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
We are a small company with only 110 employees in total. However, the staff in our R&D department account for 9% of the total (10 employees), and they have a high development capability for special grinders. The R&D department realizes high-quality qualification test products by utilizing their creative ideas in capturing the customer’s needs. We have an R&D office in the Incubation Room of the Advanced Materials Innovation Center (set up by Mie Industry and Enterprise Support Center). The development of next-generation high-efficiency grinding technology is underway in this Center. Personnel training is one of the main focuses for our company, and more than 150 employees (cumulative total) have passed national qualification tests for skilled workers. Our company consists of people with skills and expertise. 

[Business description]
Our company manufactures and distributes special-purpose machine tools and molds. Our special-purpose machine tools are mainly grinders for making metal cutting tools and bearings. These machines are highly valued by both domestic and overseas tool makers because of their originality. We also manufacture powdered metal molds and cold forging molds for auto parts and home electronics appliance parts with high precision and reliable quality. These products receive high evaluations from users in Japan and abroad. 

[Industry]
General machinery manufacturing

[Strength of products/technologies]
We are a leading company in our field. Our company developed a special-purpose machine tool equipped with a CNC device in 1975. This was followed by the world’s first CNC tool grinder, which was developed and distributed in 1979. Our small-diameter combined grinder realizes extremely high-efficiency, accurate machining. This is because it was developed with the assumption that its small 0.05 mm drill should not be removed until the workpiece is finished. The same concept was applied to other cutting tool grinders, and incorporated into our current lineups of drills, end mills, taps, and replaceable blade tips. They have consequently earned a high reputation among cutting tool makers around the world. 

[Representative's message]
It has long been said that transactions take place over the Internet, but our machines and molds are still sold face-to-face. This is because they are producer goods, which means that attracting people is quite important for manufacturers as well as retailers. We have high development and manufacturing capabilities, but our sales force is rather weak. This is why we hope to first seek assistance and guidance from our major customers, JETRO, and governmental agencies. Our goal is to further expand overseas sales channels and bring potential customers to us. We will plan and carry out offshore production and distribution after that stage. 

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
Our sales technology personnel in the machine tool group function as the contact for both new and existing customers in our dealings with overseas companies. Our sales technology personnel are also responsible for customer complaints and technical consulting. Our technology department provides assistance for high-level issues. Sales technology personnel visit the customer’s site if necessary. If major repair work is required, an engineer who is capable of such assembly and adjustment work will go instead. Issues with molds are taken care of by a sales person in the mold group, and technical issues are handled by a group leader or general manager. 

[Market share/Ranking]
We have acquired 80% of the domestic Japanese market and 35% of the overseas market for combined grinders for small diameter tools.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Selection as one of 300 of Japan's Vibrant Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs that Support Japan’s Future (2007).

[Media]
Fuji Television, “Hodo 2001” (November 2010); NHK General TV Program; Nagoya Broadcasting Network; Tokai Television; CTY; NHK Radio 1; Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun; The Nikkei (August 2012); Chubukeizai Shimbun (August 2012); other media. 


[Authorization/Certification]
One of our employees has been certified as a “Highly Skilled Worker” every year (2000 to 2004).
Acquired ISO 9001 certification (October 2014).


[Joint research and development]
Kyoto University, Tohoku University; Kyushu University; Fine Ceramics Center; Akita Industrial Technology Center; Mie Industry and Enterprise Support Center (development of cerium reduction technology for precision grinding); National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College; Akita Industrial Technology Center (research on life extension for tools by controlling electric-field abrasive grains). 

[Transaction form]
Production by order.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
NTN (bearing grinders and molds, since 1940); Sumitomo Electric Industries (specialized tool grinders and molds, since 1956); Tokai Rika (molds, since 1972); many other cutting tool makers. 

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
Toulon (US, tool grinders, 1984–1992), Top Green (Taiwan, tool grinders, since 2002), and other companies. Our machines are exported to Korea (since 1997), China (since 1999), and India (2008 since). Our molds are exported to the US, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and other countries.