No.5 - Kinjo Rubber Co., Inc.

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What kind of company is Kinjo Rubber?

The seal inside the lid of a thermos or rice cooker, the tip attached to an endoscope for protecting the internal organs, the goggle strap and cap that helps Olympic swimming medalists from the shadows... Kinjo Rubber Company is a manufacturing company that works with "rubber," a material that supports from the shadows all kinds of products in this world. We are a completely business-to-business company, and what we make is only one part of the product. However, even though we are almost completely unknown to many people, everyone has probably laid their hands somewhere on a product made by Kinjo Rubber Company.

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What is so impressive about Kinjo Rubber?

① 60% industry share in home appliance related rubber parts manufacturing
Kinjo Rubber Company was founded in 1936 as a rubber wholesaler, but it has since developed into the manufacturing industry. It is the industry's top manufacturer of home appliance related rubber parts, holding a market share of as high as 60%. It manufactures about 3,000 to 5,000 parts annually, and the rubber of Kinjo Rubber Company is used in many of the products of many different companies.

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② High level of technology and top-tier problem solving ability
The strength of Kinjo Rubber Company is its high level of technology and top-tier problem solving ability. It is not unusual for us to be able to manufacture things that other rubber manufacturers refuse to try—even to the extent that, if someone were to ask us whether there is anything we can't do, our answer would be: "We can do just about anything!" We have substantial manufacturing machinery, but we take the greatest pride in the curiosity of our engineers, who have the experience of continually making many thousands of different kinds of products per year, and who even undertake prototyping within the company for new materials even before any orders arrive.

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Techniques and Technology

① We can manufacture rubber of any hardness or color
② We can make extremely thin rubber (0.2mm)
③ As the company's "behind the scenes," we have a top-tier problem solving ability through rubber manufacturing, and we can form almost any shape.

Things Kinjo Rubber is not equipped for

① We are not good at processing lots of thick rubber exceeding 1m x 1m.
② Because we are a completely business-to-business company, we are weak at business-to-customer markets. 

Main products we make

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Super transparent lens
We make a lens-shaped rubber that once surprised an employee who had previously worked at an eyeglass manufacturer: "To get such a high degree of transparency with rubber!?" There are no other companies capable of producing such a high degree of transparency with rubber, and the plastic-like hardness of this product is another of its special characteristics. Since it will not break even if dropped, this product is gathering interest as a potential substitute for glass, such as in the headlights of cars. Crossed with new ideas, perhaps this will lead to the birth of unique products that have never been thought of before.

Inner workings of the factory

① Making materials by mixing the raw materials of rubber with pigments

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We make the materials themselves by mixing the raw materials of rubber with pigments. For example, silicon rubber is made from the mineral silicon. Rubber bands are natural rubber... even with so-called latex, many products get their start from the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Since we make our materials from scratch, we are able to freely choose the hardness and color of the rubber. This results in exquisite compounds that are backed up by Kinjo Rubber Company's high degree of experience.

②Formed into various products through heat shaping with a machine press

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Rubber is poured into an metal mold outsourced according to the product and is then pressed. Through heat shaping it is changed into a variety of forms and then turned into products. By adjusting the thickness of the shaping, it is possible to change the degree of hardness in one section—as, for example, in the strap of swimming goggles. Changes have been made to the thickness and elasticity of the side area and the area behind the head. The accumulation of technology so intricate that consumers will barely be able to notice—this is the way that Kinjo Rubber Company manufactures its products.

The love from the maker

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From the establishment of our company until now, Kinjo Rubber Company has been working "behind the scenes" of industry. The rubber seal for thermoses, the waterproof parts of washing machines... As a company behind the scenes, we are proud that we have earned an unwavering reputation within the industry. However, people involved in manufacturing are continually filled with a strong desire in their hearts: "We want to do something that will get our name out there!"

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From now, one of the goals of Kinjo Rubber Company is to make our company more visible. Making use of new technology, we want to let consumers know what kind of company we are and what kind of people our craftspeople are. And we want to contribute to making the lives of our customers more safe and more secure. Rubber can be safely put into your mouth, and it will not crack or break, so it is not easy to injure yourself with it. It is the most gentle material in the world.

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All our employees enjoy making things. Drawing on their experience in the manufacture of parts for home appliances, they are always searching for new possibilities for rubber. This time there are people participating who have families, so we would like to try making products aimed at housewives, children, and the elderly. For example, we would be very happy if we could make things connected to the family, such as products for everyday living. While continuing to make use of the special characteristics of Kinjo Rubber Company, we are looking forward to innovative ideas that have never been seen before.

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Official HP:http://www.kinjogomu.jp/

View other entries

No.1 - Fujita Metal Manufacturing Co., Inc.
No.2 - Hototogisu Co., Inc.
No.3 - Daiichi Sogei Co., Inc.
No.4 - Lapis Co., Inc.
No.5 - Kinjo Rubber Co., Inc.
No.6 - Akasaka Engraving Lab
No.7 - O-TWO Co., Inc.
No.8 - Runeseikou Co., Inc.

About the YAOYA PROJECT

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