What comes to mind when you hear “a company that makes robots”?
You might picture a sophisticated corporation or an up-and-coming startup.
In fact, in the regional city of Kurashiki, there is a “small factory” that has been in business for more than 50 years and makes robot systems that are active overseas.
That company is Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd.
Matsumoto Iron Works is a company that provides industrial robot system services, primarily for manufacturing sites.
And it does more than just manufacture them: it handles everything from proposals, design, and production to installation, maintenance, repairs, and even upgrades to existing robot systems.
What makes Matsumoto Iron Works, a maker of industrial robot systems, distinctive?
And how are robot systems made?
Here we introduce Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd., which has been active in the industrial robot system field for many years.
The information presented was current when this article was published in July 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Matsumoto Iron Works is a “robot system integrator” specializing in industrial robot systems
Matsumoto Iron Works was founded in May 1965 by its first president, Matsumoto Kazuo, in Kitase, in the Mizushima area of present-day Kurashiki City.
It is a long-established company that marked its 55th year in business in 2020.
In July 1989, it moved to its current location in Urata.
In August 2011, Sugihara Yuta became president and representative director.
Its main businesses at the time of its founding were metal fabrication and the manufacture and installation of iron products.
It did business with companies in the Mizushima Industrial Zone and elsewhere.
From the latter half of the Showa era through around the beginning of the Heisei era, the use of robots gradually increased in manufacturing industries, including the automotive industry.
In response, Matsumoto Iron Works also began providing robot maintenance services.
Later, it began manufacturing industrial robots as well as providing robot maintenance services.
Over time, the company increasingly focused on industrial robots, and the manufacture and maintenance of industrial robot systems became Matsumoto Iron Works’ main business.
Industrial robot systems are used mainly on manufacturing floors.
Today, Japanese manufacturing companies also operate overseas.
As a result, the industrial robot systems provided by Matsumoto Iron Works are also in use overseas.
Industrial robot systems made by Matsumoto Iron Works
As a robot system integrator (robot SIer), Matsumoto Iron Works proposes, designs, and assembles machinery systems that use robots.
It is also a member of the Japan Robot Association.
In response to customer needs, it provides comprehensive services, from proposing and designing industrial robot systems tailored to each environment to manufacturing and implementation.
It also provides maintenance, repairs, and upgrades as needed after installation, offering thorough support for the introduction of robot systems.
However, it may be hard to picture exactly what manufacturing robot systems involves.
You might wonder, “Are there robots that make robots?”
But in fact, Matsumoto Iron Works’ robot systems are made primarily by hand.
That may come as a surprise.
From design and cutting, welding, and processing materials to painting, assembly, and even installation at the customer’s site, Matsumoto Iron Works employees do the work by hand.
They are a team of professionals with the skills and knowledge of what you might call “robot craftsmen.”
Industrial robot systems are used mainly on manufacturers’ production floors.
A robot’s strength lies in repeatedly performing extremely precise tasks at a consistent speed without error.
Robot systems are used in a variety of industries, including the following:
- Automobiles and automotive parts
- Electrical equipment
- Electronic components and devices
- Food
- Machine tools
Even when companies in the same industry make the same products, their methods and working environments differ.
Matsumoto Iron Works considers and proposes robot systems suited to each company.
This is a strength unique to Matsumoto Iron Works, which has handled robot system projects for many companies over the years.
Initiatives using IT
At Matsumoto Iron Works, IT is used in day-to-day work, particularly by the sales team.
Sales staff are provided with tablet devices.
The company also uses online services.
All work-related documents and photos are shared through online services, so employees can view them on their tablets.
For example, during meetings or business negotiations, staff display and explain documents and photos selected from the online service on their tablet screens.
Because there is no need to print, the time and cost of printing are reduced, and there is nothing to store or carry around.
Other examples of IT use include scanning written daily reports and managing them digitally.
President Sugihara is also very knowledgeable about using tablet devices (iPads) for work.
He also runs a website.
Introducing a unique personnel evaluation system
Matsumoto Iron Works has introduced a unique personnel evaluation system.
Evaluations and salary reviews take place every six months.
Another distinctive feature of the system is that employees can be demoted as well as promoted.
Even if things do not go well in the first half of the year, employees can work hard in the second half to make up for it.
Evaluations and salary levels are laid out in tables by job type, making them easy to understand.
In addition to personnel evaluations, the company also offers qualification allowances.
While Matsumoto Iron Works has a distinctive personnel evaluation system, it also offers traditional benefits typical of Japanese companies, such as housing and family allowances.
Bonuses are paid once a year.
The amount depends on each employee’s performance over the previous year.
One unusual employee benefit is free consultations with Matsumoto Iron Works’ corporate lawyer.
Employees can also seek advice on personal matters.
Also operates a “Huli Huli chicken” business
In addition to its main business of industrial robot systems, Matsumoto Iron Works also operates other businesses.
One of them is the food service business Kahana’s.
Kahana’s sells a food called Huli Huli chicken.
Huli Huli chicken is a specialty of Hawaii in the United States, consisting of a whole roasted chicken.
The whole chicken is mounted on special equipment and roasted while rotating.
Kahana’s has two locations: its main store in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and another in Minato City, Tokyo.
The Tokyo location operates from a food truck and also sets up at events.
The company also rents and sells Huli Huli chicken equipment for events.
Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. is a long-established company with more than 50 years of history, yet it is active in the cutting-edge field of robot systems.
It is also proactive in adopting new initiatives, such as its personnel evaluation system and the use of tablets for work.
We interviewed Matsumoto Iron Works’ president and representative director, Sugihara Yuta.
Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. company information
| Organization name | Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing (various robot systems) |
| Representative | Sugihara Yuta |
| Year established | Established: 1967; founded: 1965 |
| Address | 501-10 Fukuda-cho Urata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-427-2272 |
| Website | Design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of various industrial machinery and equipment — Matsumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. |
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