Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
We conduct business in three main areas: FRP products (clutch facing, CFRP components), engineering plastic products (particularly fluoroplastics), and precision machine assembly. We can handle product development or technology research in various technical fields that span these three areas. We also have a variety of evaluation instruments (thermal analysis equipment, X-ray inspection apparatus, etc.) and a wide range of design technology (CAD, CAM, CAE, etc.). Thus, we can meet the various requirements of customers by using our experience ranging from design to evaluation and analysis.

[Business description]
Our company was established as a hemp wholesaler within the precincts of Zenkoji Temple in Nagano in 1896. We later invented a packing material made from hemp with the Ueda Silk Yarn Vocational School (currently, the Faculty of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University) through a collaboration among industry, academia and government. This was a turning point for our company in 1944 to shift from trading to manufacturing, leading to the present company organization. We have grown as a manufacturer that provides the latest materials and parts made of fluoroplastics, fiber reinforced plastics and others and machinery for both the semiconductor industry and the automobile industry based on the three technology pillars of: functional plastic component manufacturing, friction material production, and precision machine assembly. We have expanded our bases from the headquarters in Nagano to a sales office in Tokyo and production plants in Shiga Prefecture and Thailand.

[Industry]
Functional plastic component manufacturing, friction material production, and precision machine assembly

[Strength of products/technologies]
We can provide functional plastic components through our integrated production system including material molding, processing, welding and cleaning, in which we handle everything from product design to final inspection within our company. We provide FRP products from material molding to finished products through both plants in Japan and Thailand, and we also develop friction materials to suit the needs of customers. Recently, we can also provide CFRP components, and can thus provide total solutions to customers’ needs by means of multiple-material composites (fluoroplastics and metal inserts, fluoroplastics and CFRP inserts, etc.).

[Representative's message]
We will continue to play a part in the regional economy as a Monozukuri company in Nagano by: steadily developing the present three businesses of functional plastic component manufacturing, friction material production, and precision machine assembly; reorganizing our production process to build a strong profit structure that can resist external changes; and developing new applications of carbon FRP components to contribute to profits as one of our new businesses. In addition, we will make effective use of our Thai plant as a development-oriented enterprise that is competitive in the global market.

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We have our headquarters in Nagano, a sales office in Tokyo and a production plant in Shiga Prefecture in Japan. We also have a production plant in Thailand and sales bases in the Asian region with the aim of being a development-oriented enterprise that is competitive in the global market. We will actively develop novel materials and components while identifying customers’ needs, and propose new applications in various industries in Japan and abroad.

[Market share/Ranking]
We have a solid market share.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Nagano Monozukuri Award 2010: Grand Award, Good Design Award 2012: Factory building, Shinshu Brand Award 2013: Selected, Nagano Monozukuri Excellence 2013: Approved as “Nagano-ken 100 nen kigyo, Shinshu no Shinise”

[Media]
BS-TBS “Mirai eno Okurimono”, Economic White Paper 2015: Inside Report, etc.


[Authorization/Certification]
ISO 9001, ISO 14001

[Joint research and development]
The University of Tokyo: Robotics, Waseda University: Robotics, Component test and supply, Shinshu University: Collaboration on material research, etc.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Akebono Brake Industry, Nippon Valqua Industries, Nissei Plastic Industrial, Yamagata Clutch, etc.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
Nissei Plastic Machinery (Thailand), HOYA (Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines), YCK-T (a Thai local subsidiary of Yamagata Clutch)