(Note) Post-processing in food manufacturing refers to processes such as filling and packaging, heat sterilization, cooling, product inspection, packaging, storage, and shipping.

Aiming for growth, the company is transforming from a fabless system into one that “manufactures on its own.”

Our company began in 2008 with a fabless business model, but in 2021 we established our own factory in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, with the goal of accumulating know-how and earning stronger trust from customers. There were several reasons for this shift.First, we faced a challenge where important knowledge in the manufacturing process—such as material selection and detailed design—tended to remain with subcontractors and was not easily accumulated within our company.Second, not having our own production system sometimes undermined our credibility with customers.Third, when seeking to improve profit margins and considering a future IPO, we judged that having our own production base would strengthen our competitiveness.

Through in-house production, we have improved our ability to make adjustments at each stage, built up technical assets, and enhanced our reliability as a manufacturer. As a result, the number of projects and frequency of orders from customers have increased, and we have also accelerated capital investment.

Support programs encouraged our entry into an industrial park in Sagamihara

When establishing a new production base, our biggest challenge was “finding the right location.” Our headquarters is located in Chofu City, Tokyo, so one essential condition was that the site had to be within one hour’s access. In addition, we required a large site where we could assemble large robots, as well as good logistics infrastructure in the surrounding area. While it was difficult to find a property that met these conditions, we were introduced to the Shimizuhara Industrial Park in Sagamihara City by a local financial institution we had a relationship with. Although several companies were also seeking to move into the park, we presented our vision through a proposal and were selected by the industrial park cooperative. As a result, we successfully established our base, and the factory began operations in 2021.

A key factor in developing this site was the support programs offered by Kanagawa Prefecture and Sagamihara City. With subsidies granted for 10 years to support investment in the new base, we were able to anticipate greater flexibility in working capital and reduce the risk of narrowing our management options. This became a major boost in our challenge to move away from the fabless model.

In using these support programs, we found the government officials to be extremely attentive. They provided templates for application documents, guidance on how to prepare them, and detailed instructions on the application procedures. Thanks to their thorough support, we were able to complete the application independently without relying on outside consultants. In addition, we could smoothly access program information through financial institutions, and we were impressed by the prompt screening process made possible through the cooperation of the prefecture, the city, and financial institutions.

Strengthening the Manufacturing Base and Co-Creation with the Community through “Horizontal Connections”

The Shimizuhara Industrial Complex, where our newly established plant is located, is home to a cluster of manufacturing companies, including those specializing in metal processing. Within the complex, networks such as monthly meetings help bring companies closer together.

As a result, “horizontal connections” were formed soon after our relocation, and collaboration in areas such as parts processing and transport began naturally right from the start. This not only led to practical benefits such as reduced logistics costs and shorter delivery times, but also, through deeper relationships, strengthened our own manufacturing base and increased opportunities for co-creation, adding greater depth to our manufacturing. We truly feel that this kind of local collaboration has been as valuable as subsidies and location advantages.

In addition, through collaboration with Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology(KISTEC), an industrial technology support organization in Kanagawa Prefecture, we received introductions to plastic processing companies and matching support with local manufacturers. This enabled us to flexibly adopt manufacturing technologies that we could not have achieved on our own.

Driving the Growth of “Sagami Robotics Industry Special Zone” with Customer-Focused Communication

Twelve cities and towns in Kanagawa Prefecture, including Sagamihara City, have been designated as the “Sagami Robotics Industry Special Zone,” a hub for the robotics industry where active information exchange takes place among government bodies, support organizations, and companies.Leveraging these regional strengths, our company is also planning further business expansion.In fact, demand for robotics in post-processing operations at food factories is growing rapidly.Amid challenges such as temperature fluctuations, hygiene management, and worker burdens, the food industry as a whole is seeking a transformation “from human labor to machines.”

One example of our products that meet such needs is a robot we developed in-house whose function is to “cover objects with a carton from the above.” This device, which incorporates patented technology, not only improves efficiency at food factories where it is introduced, but also plays a role in creating connections with society. In fact, at one factory where this robot was installed, a viewing corridor was built so that elementary school students can observe the production process, transforming the facility into a “showcase factory” that is open to the community.

The fact that we consistently manufacture such robots in-house—robots that generate these kinds of social ripple effects—has also become a major strength in gaining the trust of our customers.In addition to an increase in both the number and frequency of orders, the establishment of our own factory has served as a turning point, fostering a younger workforce and improving employee retention. As a result, our foundation as a robot manufacturer is steadily being strengthened.Looking ahead, we plan to share information on robotics based on the expertise we have gained through manufacturing and implementation, tailored to different fields of specialization.

Many of our customers have already introduced and are using robots, and they possess extensive knowledge about robotics.What such customers are looking for is not general information such as “We can make robots,” but rather clear, specialized information like “For post-processing in food production, this is the robot you need.”By promoting a customer-centric system to provide this kind of information—through collaboration with prefectural and municipal governments—we aim to raise awareness of the Sagami Robotics Industry Special Zone and enhance the overall competitiveness of the regional robotics industry.By promoting a customer-centric system to provide this kind of information—through collaboration with prefectural and municipal governments—we aim to raise awareness of the Sagami Robotics Industry Special Zone and enhance the overall competitiveness of the regional robotics industry.

Business Attraction Initiative: “Select Kanagawa NEXT”

Kanagawa Prefecture is working to revitalize the local economy and create jobs through its business attraction initiative, “Select Kanagawa NEXT.” This program not only attracts companies from outside the prefecture and abroad, but also promotes reinvestment by companies already based in Kanagawa. The prefecture’s business location promotion subsidies can be combined with municipal subsidies for corporate locations within the prefecture. For more details, please refer to the following Kanagawa Prefecture website.
Introduction to “Select Kanagawa NEXT”