Chiyoda Tsusho: Solving industry challenges with tailored solutions

Customer needs often drive business innovation. Established in 1971, Japanese industrial piping for compressed air manufacturer, Chiyoda Tsusho’s tailor-made approach focused on client demands has placed it at the forefront of the automotive industry.

With such success in the automotive industry, the company has been exploring expanding its products for use in the plastic injection molding, welding, and robotics industries.

What sets the company apart is its unique business model. President of the company, Hidetoshi Ishii points out: “Our product line is specialized and tailor-made for our customers. Rather than using a standardized production approach, we use the opposite method by being super specialized and basing our products on customers’ requests.” Mr. Ishii explains the company operates on a case-by-case approach whereby the customer will come to them with a problem and the company will create a prototype. This trial-and-error and hand-in-hand tailored approach is what sets the company apart. Mr. Ishii points out that if the solution works well for the customer, the product is added to the company portfolio as it can work for others as well.

One of the Chioda Tsusho’s flagship products which was also originally conceived from a customer request is the Low Friction Tubing TE – LF. Released late last year, the tubing uses a special polyurethane material that greatly reduces the frictional resistance of the tube surface and suppresses the wear of the piping – particularly useful for moving parts such as those used in robotics. Mr. Ishii points out that what makes the company’s tubes and fittings stand out amongst its competitors is “the performance, durability, and the versatility of our advanced materials.”

Whilst Chiyoda Tsusho exports products globally to Asia, China, and the United States, the company’s main focus right now is the Japanese domestic market. However, given the Japanese firm's personalized approach to business, Mr. Ishii does not rule out expanding product exports if the opportunity were to present itself.