Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
Our area is a major producer of three-dimensional clothes (raised products). We have focused on developing new products and applications in search of new opportunities by utilizing characteristic processing equipment that we have developed and our skilled staff. We have developed an excellent knit velour (three-dimensional knit) which is highly valued by industry. We have applied for multiple patents and are developing industry-leading products. Cooperation with the factories that produce products is indispensable, particularly when developing pioneering products. We strive to produce appropriately for the modern age, envisaging our business expansion.

[Business description]
We develop and sell seal materials for industrial materials by using our original three-dimensional weaving machines and knitting machines. We do this using our highly-developed techniques for producing raised products (three-dimensional woven fabrics and knitted products, mainly for products whose surface is covered by three-dimensional fibers, such as cold-proofing clothes, blankets and stuffed toys). Our products include woven and knitted fabrics for seal materials for high-speed office equipment printing or toner/ink, and woven or knitted fabrics for bearing seal materials. We sell our products by supplying the raw fabrics to a partner manufacturer which forms and makes the fabrics into products to meet the various standards of users.

[Industry]
Manufacture and sale of pile stitch and woven fabrics

[Strength of products/technologies]
We enable high-speed operation of bearings, as a superior feature. We have achieved this by greatly reducing contact friction by changing the contact with a seal material and the surface of the rotating shaft from the flat surface of existing seal materials (sponge, nonwoven fabrics, etc.), to the tips of raised fibers. Our low-density product structure also helps reduce weight and size.

[Representative's message]
We have been developing new pile products as a comprehensive manufacturer of pile materials. We plan, produce and sell high-quality attractive pile products using the characteristics as a producer of pile woven/knit fabrics, in cooperation with material manufacturers, trading companies and major apparel manufacturers. We will continue to improve our techniques and facilities, create better pile products, and thus contribute to society and our customers. We aim to expand into industrial products, which are our new business area, by utilizing our strengths in three-dimensional knitting and woven fabric techniques of pile fabrics. We will conduct R&D in industrial materials (seals, filters and cushion materials). New business sales now account for 12%.

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We are developing new products by utilizing our characteristic processing equipment and skilled staff. We comply with various standards by joint development with specialized forming manufacturers. We aim to improve performance even further, and are highly reputed for our techniques of producing outstanding high-density knit velour (three-dimensional knitted goods). We have applied for multiple patents, and are developing industry-leading products.

[Market share/Ranking]
We develop and sell raw fabrics for various bearing seal materials including printing ink seal materials for developed parts of a high-speed printer. We have created pioneering products using raised fabrics.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
11 staff were selected for the Technical Award (Artisan) in All Categories of Business in Wakayama of the Wakayama Prefectural Governor Prize in 2003, and two staff of Aono Pile Co., Ltd. were selected (knitting division: General Manager Okada; processing division: Deputy General Manager Hirata)

[Media]
The Senken Shimbun, etc.: “Successful unique developer of ultra-high-gauge pile and velour in Japan”, NHK TV program “Wagamachi Shun Dayori (news of leading companies in our town) – Textile manufacturing for the European Market)”, etc.


[Joint research and development]
Patent No. 5398328: “Method for Sealing End Part by End Part Sealing Member for Image Forming Device,” etc.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Supply of toner seal materials for developed parts of a high-speed printer (Company C), supply of high-gauge velour, pile and jacquard to major apparel companies (Wacoal, World Co., Ltd., Mikihouse, etc.)/Sale of washable cotton blankets for Muji, bed and bedding articles for cooperative societies, raw fabrics for high-quality clothes, etc.