With its range of state-of-the-art solutions for foundry, surface treatment, mechatronics, and the work environment, Sintokogio supports its customers’ monozukuri around the world.
Ever since the company’s founder invented Japan’s fi rst sand-casting molding machine in 1927, a machine offi cially recognized as Japanese Mechanical Engineering Heritage, Sintokogio has continued to make history as a pioneering and reputed developer of foundry and casting manufacturing systems.
Formally established in Nagoya in 1934, Sinto has grown to become a world-leading integrated plant manufacturer for the foundry industry standing high above its competitors, with 4,000 employees worldwide and a global network of subsidiaries, manufacturing sites, and aftersales service bases to ensure it is always close to its customers.
From molding machines, sand systems, core making machines, and aluminum casting products, to shot blasting and environmental equipment; Sinto’s foundry products are used by a wide range of manufacturers in the automotive, aviation, shipbuilding, rail, iron & steel, and die casting industries.
Along with its casting manufacturing systems offering increased added value through high precision, light weight, low machining, fewer defects, and the ideal combination of components, Sinto also supports its customers’ monozukuri through its ‘3-in-1’ business model: by providing (1) Equipment, (2) Consumables, and (3) Customer support, along with integrated environmental protection, safety, experience, and know-how.
“In other words, Sinto is a onestop company, from procurement to after-sales service. We do not just sell our machines, but we also maintain the machines even after purchase, and if anything does happen, we respond immediately at the location closest to each customer,” says president, Atsushi Nagai.
“We have built a global network to offer immediate after-sales services close to the customers, when and where they need it, with increased productivity and shortened lead time. Developing our business based on our customers’ needs, for our customers’ peace of mind, is the basis of Sinto’s monozukuri around the world.”
As the automotive, rail, aviation, and shipping industries have evolved and become more technologically advanced, Sinto has evolved in tandem, diversifying its product portfolio beyond the foundry business to include surface treatment, mechatronics, powder treatment, ceramics, and environmental solutions, as well as testing and measuring equipment. Today, new technologies also play a major role at Sinto, which can use IoT and cloud data to analyze the performance of its machines at the request of the customer.
Indeed, adaption and innovation have been key to the success of this company over the past nine decades, and as it approaches its 100th anniversary, it will continue to develop groundbreaking solutions to support the manufacture of the cars, trains, and planes of tomorrow. Most recently, Sinto has collaborated with Toyota to develop an innovative aluminum casting technology – one example of its monozukuri through co-creation.
“We build relationships with partners from all industries in which we can benefi t from each other’s strengths and grow together, and technological innovation in various fi elds is the result of that co-creation,” explains Mr. Nagai.
“If I look to the future, at our 100-year anniversary in 2034, our company will still be growing. To reach that stage, 2034, we have to diversify our product portfolio. That’s how we plan to connect to the future.”
Globalization is a major priority for Japan Inc. nowadays, something which Sinto began in 1954 with the export of its fi rst foundry plant to a customer in Mexico, before it expanded to Asia and later to other regions. During the fi rst phase of Sinto’s globalization strategy, the focus was on transferring technology developed in Japan to its international group of companies. However, in the current second phase, each group company is tasked with proactively creating new business opportunities, developing new products and technologies based on local needs – a process of globalization rooted primarily in localization.
“When those new products meet the needs of the local markets and show potential for global expansion, those group companies become the champions for those products, and they utilize the Sinto global network to promote them worldwide. This is the kind of relationship we want to have between all of our Sinto Group companies,” adds Mr. Nagai.
“As we have around 4,000 global employees in total, in order to grow, we are encouraging each of them to do whatever they are capable of. The support of our employees and partners around the world will only make us stronger.”
Monozukuri is a quintessential Japanese concept of craftsmanship. But through Sinto’s constantly expanding international network, the monozukuri philosophy for manufacturing excellence and constant pursuit of innovation has gone global.
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