Conveying copper's beauty.Techniques refined by specializing in copper,skillfully processing soft copper.
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Ishigaki Shoten Co., Ltd.
- Specialized copper and brass processing
Masahiro Ishigaki
- Prefecture
- Aichi
- Business Activities
- Specialized copper and brass processing
- Company Name
- Ishigaki Shoten Co., Ltd.
- Representative Name
- Masahiro Ishigaki
- Location
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〒463-0068
629, Seko 1-chome, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, Japan
- Phone Number
- 052-793-3080
- Website
Factory Stories
Starting as a Copper Alloy Wholesaler
Ishigaki Shoten was founded in 1948 as a sole proprietorship and incorporated in 1951.
Masaaki Ishigaki's grandfather, Soichi Ishigaki, originally worked for a hardware wholesaler. When that wholesaler went out of business, he leveraged his experience to start a wholesale business for copper alloys and metal processed products.
While operating the wholesale business, in response to customer requests, they began undertaking simple metal processing such as drilling and cutting, gradually increasing the proportion of metal processing operations.
“The wholesale business involves large sums of money, making cash flow challenging. There's also a significant risk of customer bankruptcies. Increasing processing operations seems to have also been a way to mitigate these risks.”
Thus, Ishigaki Shoten focused its efforts on metal processing operations.
Currently, the main business is the manufacturing of processed copper busbars for transformers and control panels.
Specializing in Copper Materials
Ishigaki Shoten specializes in processing 'copper' as its main focus.
Furthermore, they can perform a series of processes, including machining, turning, press working, bending, roll forming, and even welding, all in one stop.
Most materials used in industrial products are iron, which is why there are many iron processing factories. However, metal processing factories rarely handle copper. This is because the procurement cost of copper is high, and orders are few, leading to the risk of purchased copper remaining as inventory.
Amidst this, processed copper products account for approximately 90% of Ishigaki Shoten's total output.
“Customers often tell us it's rare for a factory to specialize in copper processing, as there are few factories that do it.”
By specializing in copper, they can utilize procured materials without waste. This is likely a unique strength of Ishigaki Shoten, having handled copper since its wholesale days.
Technical Expertise Polished by Copper Specialization
Inventory risk is not the only reason why iron processing factories cannot handle copper.
The handling of iron and copper is completely different.
Compared to iron, copper is highly ductile, soft, and easily scratched. Without a thorough understanding of these differences, processing copper can lead to scratches, reduced precision, and an increase in defective products.
To understand the characteristics of copper materials and reflect them in processing techniques, it is necessary to gain experience through actual processing. However, due to the low frequency of orders, opportunities to gain such experience are limited.
Consequently, iron processing facilities become reluctant to handle copper.
Ishigaki Shoten has accumulated over 70 years of experience and know-how in working with copper since its founding.
“I believe our customers feel confident entrusting us with copper-related work.”
Scratch-Free Bending
Copper is a soft material, so bending it with standard dies/molds can cause scratches.
“If there are scratches on the surface of components that conduct electricity on a circuit board, there's a risk of sparks and fire. That's why we process them in a way that prevents surface scratches.”
Through years of trial and error, we have achieved scratch-free bending by attaching uniquely designed and manufactured attachments to our dies/molds.
Looking at copper products available on the market, some have scratches that would be classified as errors by Ishigaki Shoten's own standards.
Since copper is prone to scratches, a certain degree of scratching may be tolerated.
However, at Ishigaki Shoten, scratch-free processing is the standard.
Reasons for Being Chosen Beyond QCD
Masaaki says that the reason Ishigaki Shoten is chosen by customers is not just the accumulated know-how and technical expertise from specializing in copper.
“Quality, cost, and delivery time are, of course, essential. However, I believe customers are looking at something beyond those aspects.”
For example, can this company continue to supply necessary products for a long time? How well can the contact person explain the company, its products, and its technology? Their responsiveness in emergencies. Their ability to handle troubles. Masaaki believes customers are looking at the 'human' aspect, which lies outside of QCD.
“Customers are not just about products or companies; they are about 'people.' That's why the ability to respond as a 'person' is crucial, I believe.”
Cherished Philosophy
Masaaki says that what he values most is the 'spirit of mutual support.'
Ishigaki Shoten started as a wholesale business and evolved into its current form by responding to customer requests.
“The fundamental desire to fulfill customer requests has been applied to our manufacturing.”
This cannot be a one-sided relationship. It is important for both the buyer and the supplier to build connections and trust where they can support each other.
Building a relationship where both parties help each other and work easily together may also be reflected in manufacturing.
This might be the enduring spirit of Ishigaki Shoten, passed down from its founder, Soichi.
From Beauty School to Ishigaki Shoten
Before joining Ishigaki Shoten, Masaaki enrolled in a beauty vocational school, aiming to become a hair designer.
However, he felt that it wasn't a job he wanted to dedicate his life to once he started learning. With a resolve that there was no turning back, he decided to take over Ishigaki Shoten.
Although he entered the manufacturing field from a completely different path, he felt there were similarities between cutting hair as a hairdresser and processing materials on the factory floor.
“I enjoy creating things with my hands. So, I felt no resistance to working on the factory floor after joining the company.”
Artistically Showcasing the Appeal of Copper
Masaaki, who enjoys creating things with his hands, has flower arrangement as a hobby.
When an exhibition was held at his flower arrangement school, Masaaki decided to use copper shavings. The shavings produced during copper processing are typically just waste. However, by arranging them with flowers, they transformed into art.
He has also created works combining old processing machinery with flowers.
This embodies his desire to make people aware of and spread the appeal of copper's beauty and small factories.
“The color of copper is truly beautiful. I think it should be more present in our daily lives.”
Perhaps it is precisely because Masaaki himself enjoys creating these works that he can convey the appeal of copper and factories.
Aiming for 'Collaboration' Not 'Competition' in the Future
“I believe there should be more interaction among manufacturing companies. And I hope our employees can be helpful to other manufacturing companies.”
Manufacturing companies each possess intangible assets such as technology and know-how.
Even if they are engaged in completely different types of manufacturing, their essence might be beneficial to other companies.
Masaaki harbored the expectation that new things could emerge through the collaboration of these 'intangible assets' nurtured by each company.
Just as Masaaki discovered new appeal by combining flower arrangement and copper, interaction among manufacturing companies could lead to unexpected chemical reactions.
Perhaps what the world of manufacturing needs now is not 'competition' but 'collaboration,' where companies cooperate to enhance each other's technology.
