ArTechX.ing (formerly Kansai Plastic Industry) - A long-established company aiming to create a hopeful future through semiconductor technology with a new structure.

ArTechX.ing is read as "Ātēkkusu Aienjī".

The company name embodies the collective aspiration to continue transformation by placing art on technology.

ArTechX.ing, which just changed its name from Kansai Plastic Industry in April 2024 (Reiwa 6), concluded an agreement with Kurashiki City regarding the use of facilities during emergencies, coinciding with the completion of its new headquarters in 2023.

With a mission statement for 2023, the company, which has been in operation for 76 years, aims to create a hopeful future through semiconductor technology. The helm is led by Tounan Kazumasa, President.

The author, a long-time friend, will introduce President Tounan's thoughts through an interview.

What is "ArTechX.ing (formerly Kansai Plastic Industry)"

In semiconductor manufacturing plants, specialized equipment such as ultra-pure water production systems is required for cleaning and polishing semiconductor materials.

ArTechX.ing, located in Shijuse, Kurashiki City, supports major semiconductor manufacturing companies by producing and providing such specialized equipment on a custom basis.

Founding

In 1948 (Showa 23), San Kou Shikimono Co., Ltd. was established by Tounan Katsuta, the grandfather of President Tounan Kazumasa.

It is a company that manufactures and sells export flower mats.

In the early Edo period, Kurashiki was already a production area for tatami mats. In the early Meiji period, Isozaki Minki completed the exquisite flower mat known as Nishikan-en. This made flower mats a specialty of Okayama Prefecture.

“I don’t really know much about those times…” President Tounan says with a wry smile.

“It seems that during the post-war chaos, the business was experimenting with various things. There are no records of where it originated. It’s quite a problem, isn’t it? (laughs)”

However, it can be confirmed through the Trade Directory published by Okayama Prefecture in 1955 that San Kou Shikimono was engaged in the flower mat trade in Shijuse, Kurashiki City at that time.

From Kansai Plastic Industry to ArTechX.ing

Kansai Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. was established in 1956 (Showa 31) and was absorbed by San Kou Shikimono in 1960, but the name Kansai Plastic Industry was adopted.

Kansai Plastic Industry

“I don’t really know the background of how it became 'Kansai Plastic Industry'… It seems that the opportunity was learning PVC processing technology from a large company in Kansai. Perhaps they dreamed of being a big company active in the Kansai region and beyond,”

President Tounan reflects.

There may have been a historical backdrop where cotton and rush were being replaced by petroleum-derived chemicals.

Kansai Plastic Industry, which was reborn as a piping construction company starting with PVC, ventured into the semiconductor-related business in the 1970s.

In semiconductor manufacturing, peripheral devices such as ultra-pure water systems are required, and devices that dislike metal ions often use plastic piping such as PVC.

“Our technology matched perfectly with that,” President Tounan explains.

ArTechX.ing

Focusing on semiconductor technology, Kansai Plastic Industry changed its name to ArTechX.ing Co., Ltd. in April 2024.

Semiconductor-related business and piping technology

Here, let’s introduce ArTechX.ing's main products and the underlying core technologies.

The main products are unit products such as chemical supply devices, ultra-pure water production devices, and slurry dilution supply devices.

To manufacture devices densely packed with resin piping, the piping technology cultivated by ArTechX.ing is essential.

To ensure cleanliness inside the equipment and piping, the entire manufacturing area is a large clean room.

All custom-made products have their electrical instrumentation manufactured in-house.

“Piping technology is our core technology. Our strength lies in our integrated construction system, from order receipt to design, casing production, equipment piping installation, electrical instrumentation, and maintenance.”

President Fujinami proudly states.

New Headquarters

Let me introduce the new headquarters that was just completed in 2023.

• Office Building
  4 stories above ground
  Designated temporary evacuation site by Kurashiki City (2nd floor)
  Digital signage adopted on the 2nd floor
• Factory Building
  4 stories above ground

Upon entering the entrance, you will be surprised by the spacious open space.

The first floor consists only of a guest room and open space.

There is also a free space on the second floor.

The room names that remind all employees of the “7 Habits” they have been trained in are one of the president's prides.

Room names such as Paradigm-Shift, Inside-Out, and End in Mind were displayed.

Another pride is the digital signage.

“We have no intention of using it for commercial purposes. I want children to love Kurashiki. I hope it will be used well in the community to help with that, and we are currently seeking ideas.”

It seems they want to utilize it for cultural, sports, and tourism information dissemination.

The factory building cannot be introduced for security reasons, but it is equipped with one of the largest elevators in western Japan and a vast clean room.

Agreement on Facility Use in Case of Emergency

In August 2023, ArTechX.ing concluded an “Agreement on Facility Use in Case of Emergency” with Kurashiki City.

“If you look at the hazard map of Kurashiki City, it is clear at a glance. This area, which was filled in from the ceiling river, is slightly elevated, making it resistant to flooding. Given that we are located here, we have no choice but to become a evacuation site.”

President Fujinami continues.

“The emergency supplies such as water and food provided by the city are stored on the second floor. It is said that even in a once-in-a-thousand-years disaster, the second floor will be safe.”

In front of the storage room is the free space on the second floor that was introduced earlier. It is designated as a temporary evacuation site by Kurashiki City, with an area of 223.71 square meters, capable of accommodating about 50 people. A custom-made movable kitchen counter has also been set up.

This agreement seems to express ArTechX.ing's intention to cherish the connections it has with the local community and walk together with it.

The Place Called Yosose

Now, let’s take a look at the area called Yosose, where ArTechX.ing has been operating for about 70 years.

This area is where the Kurashiki City Baseball Stadium is located.

From the Edo period to the Meiji period, flooding frequently occurred along the Takahashi River. The situation of the Yosose levee breach has also been preserved. It is said that the iron sand flow and sedimentation caused it to become a ceiling river, which was one of the major factors.

“The land that was filled in after the flood in 1893 (Meiji 26) was reportedly used as a labor camp for the military industry. After World War II, it was sold to the private sector, and our company established a factory here,”

President Fujinami explained.

Living Together with the Community

ArTechX.ing is also engaged in the following community activities.

• Cultural projects
• Collaboration with universities

Cultural Projects

ArTechX.ing is a club sponsor of Fagiano Okayama. They also support Kurashiki Blaze.

The open space is decorated with uniforms from both teams.

Collaboration with Universities

They are also collaborating with universities.

• Okayama University
  Joint research to develop a flood warning system for irrigation channels
• Okayama Prefectural University
  “Kibiji no Mori” creation strategy project

I spoke with President Kazumasa Fujinami of ArTechX.ing, who has changed the company name and built a new headquarters, focusing not only on the semiconductor business but also on community activities.

We deliver selected articles from Kurashiki Tocotoco via LINE