HIRATA Corporation
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 6258
- Industry
- Machinery
- Category Detail
- Manufacturing Machinery & Electrical Equipment
- Prefecture
- Kumamoto Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- December 1951
- Listing Year
- December 2006
- Official Website
- https://www.hirata.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Cresco, FUJI, Tomoe Kogyo, YUSHIN, FANUC, Kosoku
Overview
HIRATA Corporation is a machinery manufacturer founded in 1951 that operates both domestically and internationally, producing production lines and serving as a leading company providing high-precision production equipment for the automotive and semiconductor sectors.
Current Situation
HIRATA Corporation achieved consolidated sales of approximately 65.3 billion yen, operating profit of about 5 billion yen, and net profit of about 4.1 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2021, maintaining a solid financial foundation. Its main businesses are assembly equipment for automotive engines and transmissions, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with strong competitiveness particularly in electric vehicle-related and organic EL industries. It serves customers in over 40 countries worldwide and has established a global production system design, manufacturing, and sales structure. In technological innovation, it advances proprietary robot technology and sophisticated transfer devices, with customized proposals tailored to customer needs as its strength. Environmentally, it has obtained ISO 14001 certification and works to reduce environmental impact through production process efficiency improvements. For mid- to long-term growth strategies, it focuses on product sophistication and overseas market expansion. It has also strengthened its production system resilience through headquarters relocation after the Kumamoto earthquakes and new base establishments. Moving forward, it aims to respond to growing equipment demand driven by further advances in automation and robot technology, as well as increased semiconductor-related investments. Participation in corporate alliances allows it to absorb the latest technologies and actively develop new markets.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Developed Japan's first Cartesian robot in 1977.
- Quickly relocated headquarters functions to Kumamoto after the Kumamoto earthquakes.
- International company delivering production equipment to over 40 countries worldwide.
- Received Nikkei Industrial Newspaper Award for direct drive robot technology.
- Long history and stable track record in industrial robot market.
- Top-class domestic achievements in automotive assembly equipment.
- Early entry and track record accumulation in semiconductor-related fields.
- Strength in cleanroom transfer robots.
- Established integrated production and manufacturing system for entire production lines.
- Utilizes teaching playback technology for industrial robots.
- Expanding into home appliance logistics equipment for diversification.
- Multiple local subsidiaries for global local response.
- Owns multiple technology-related group companies.
- Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market.
- Founded in 1951, a long-established company continuing from Japan's growth period.
Hidden Connections
- Strengthens regional ties as official sponsor of Roasso Kumamoto.
- Long-term transactions with major domestic and international manufacturers in semiconductor equipment development.
- World's first horizontal multi-joint 4-axis robot symbolizes the company's technological innovation.
- Builds sales network through online, direct sales, and specialty trading companies.
- Cleanroom robot technology applicable to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Collaborates with research institutions in environmental technology fields for product development.
- Actively participates in industry-academia collaboration projects in Kumamoto Prefecture.
- Strong technical sales force with many customized designs for customers.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increased demand for electric vehicle assembly equipment due to EV market expansion.
- Continued high demand in semiconductor and organic EL manufacturing equipment sectors.
- Global needs for production line automation and labor reduction.
- Increased demand for energy-saving equipment due to strengthened environmental regulations.
- Active equipment investments in new markets centered on Asia.
- Manufacturing efficiency improvements from evolution of industrial robots.
- Automation and labor-saving trends in logistics industry.
- Realization of smart factories through IT technology utilization.
- Synergistic effects from technology sharing via corporate alliances.
- Government support for industrial advancement policies.
Strategic Goals
- Maintain and expand top domestic share in automotive and semiconductor equipment.
- Achieve over 60% global sales ratio.
- Achieve over 50% sales ratio for environmentally friendly production equipment.
- Launch new industrial robot series in world markets.
- Promote technology development leveraging corporate alliances.
- Build sustainable supply chains.
- Achieve stable supply through strengthened domestic and international production systems.
- Improve customer satisfaction with labor-saving automation technology.
- Promote coexistence with regional communities through strengthened CSR activities.
- Achieve new business sales exceeding 20 billion yen.
Business Segments
Automotive Production Equipment Business
- Overview
- Provides a variety of production equipment to the automotive industry domestically and internationally, building highly efficient and high-precision production lines.
- Competitiveness
- Comprehensive response through in-house developed robots and advanced production line design technology.
- Customers
-
- Automobile manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Electric vehicle manufacturers
- Supply chain companies
- Products
-
- Engine assembly equipment
- Transmission assembly lines
- EV battery assembly systems
- Inspection equipment
Semiconductor-Related Equipment Business
- Overview
- Develops high-precision production and transfer equipment for semiconductor and FPD manufacturing, supporting stable production in clean environments.
- Competitiveness
- Integration of cleanroom-compatible robot technology and vacuum transfer technology.
- Customers
-
- Semiconductor manufacturers
- FPD manufacturers
- Electronic component manufacturers
- Cleanroom operators
- Products
-
- Vacuum transfer equipment
- Organic EL manufacturing equipment
- Wafer transfer robots
- FPD transfer robots
Logistics Equipment Business
- Overview
- Designs and provides transfer equipment from manufacturing to logistics for home appliances and electronic devices, promoting efficiency.
- Competitiveness
- High customizability and flexible response to site needs.
- Customers
-
- Logistics companies
- Home appliance manufacturers
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Warehouse management companies
- Products
-
- Belt conveyors
- Forklift transfer equipment
- Logistics automation systems
- Transfer robots
Industrial Robot Business
- Overview
- Achieves automation and efficiency of production lines through development of industrial robots and provision of control systems.
- Competitiveness
- Proprietary technology backed by long years of development experience and high reliability.
- Customers
-
- Production equipment manufacturers
- Manufacturing line operators
- R&D institutions
- System integrators
- Products
-
- Multi-joint robots
- XY table robots
- Robot control systems
- Transfer support robots
FPD Manufacturing Equipment Business
- Overview
- Develops manufacturing equipment for flat panel displays, supporting construction of high-precision production lines.
- Competitiveness
- Integration of latest transfer and coating technologies.
- Customers
-
- FPD manufacturers
- Electronic component manufacturers
- Display manufacturers
- Products
-
- Resist coating equipment
- Glass substrate transfer robots
- Coating and inspection equipment
Solar Cell Manufacturing Equipment Business
- Overview
- Provides environmentally friendly solar cell manufacturing equipment, supporting sustainable energy businesses.
- Competitiveness
- Development capabilities for equipment that balances energy savings and high efficiency.
- Customers
-
- Solar cell manufacturers
- Renewable energy companies
- Environmental equipment developers
- Products
-
- Solar cell assembly lines
- Cell manufacturing equipment
- Inspection equipment
Inspection Equipment and Precision Instruments Business
- Overview
- Provides inspection and evaluation equipment that supports improved reliability in manufacturing processes.
- Competitiveness
- Equipment development combining high detection accuracy and operability.
- Customers
-
- Semiconductor manufacturers
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Quality control departments
- Products
-
- High-precision wafer inspection equipment
- Assembly inspection equipment
- Performance evaluation systems
Automation Control System Business
- Overview
- Provides control systems supporting production line automation through in-house development.
- Competitiveness
- High customizability and reliability.
- Customers
-
- Production equipment manufacturers
- Factory automation companies
- Control equipment distributors
- Products
-
- PLC control systems
- Robot control devices
- Automation software
Design and Consulting Business
- Overview
- Provides design and consulting for production line optimization tailored to customer needs.
- Competitiveness
- Comprehensive support based on extensive experience.
- Customers
-
- General manufacturing
- Companies introducing new equipment
- Factory operators
- Products
-
- Production line design services
- Equipment optimization proposals
- Implementation support consulting
Energy-Saving Equipment Business
- Overview
- Develops and provides energy-saving production equipment to reduce environmental impact.
- Competitiveness
- Product lineup with high energy-saving effects utilizing the latest technologies.
- Customers
-
- Manufacturing companies
- Environmental solution companies
- Government and local authorities
- Products
-
- Low-power consumption transfer equipment
- Eco production systems
- Environmentally friendly equipment
Logistics Automation System Business
- Overview
- Provides automated transfer and management systems for labor-saving and efficiency in logistics sites.
- Competitiveness
- High customization capabilities and reliability.
- Customers
-
- Warehouse operators
- EC businesses
- Logistics service companies
- Products
-
- Automated guided vehicles (AGV)
- Logistics robots
- Transfer system design
Industrial Precision Instruments Business
- Overview
- Develops and provides equipment and jigs that support advanced precision assembly.
- Competitiveness
- High-precision processing technology and diverse design proposal capabilities.
- Customers
-
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Precision machinery manufacturers
- R&D institutions
- Products
-
- Assembly support jigs
- Precision transfer equipment
- Control equipment
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- High-precision production equipment development technology
- Global sales and service network
- Integrated design, manufacturing, and commissioning system
- Adaptability to diverse industries
- Long experience in industrial robot development
- Customer-focused customization proposal capabilities
- Comprehensive environmentally friendly and energy-saving products
- Strong domestic production base and overseas expansion
- Solid financial position
- Advanced and flexible control system development capabilities
- Proprietary industrial robot technology
- Applicability to diverse production processes
- High-quality management system
- Collaboration with numerous group companies
- Active participation in corporate alliances
Competitive Advantages
- High market share in production equipment for automotive and semiconductors
- Strength in integration of robot technology and transfer equipment
- Customer base in over 40 countries globally
- Capable of integrated response from design to manufacturing and commissioning
- Improved customer satisfaction through high-precision and high-quality customization
- Product lineup adaptable to various industries
- Reliability from technology certifications domestically and internationally
- Long-term investment possible due to stable financial base
- Provision of environmentally considerate production equipment
- 対応 to cutting-edge fields with proprietary transfer and control technologies
- Service deployment responsive to local needs
- Introduction of cutting-edge technologies leveraging design and development strengths
- Proposal capabilities for efficient production methods
- Rapid technical support by abundant engineers
- Technology achieving high safety and reliability
Threats
- Risk of fluctuations in semiconductor industry equipment demand
- Intensifying price competition with global competitors
- Profit pressure from exchange rate fluctuations
- Risk of product obsolescence due to technological innovation
- Geopolitical risks leading to international trade restrictions
- Rising raw material prices
- Market penetration by new entrants
- Decline in productivity due to labor shortages
- Impact of novel coronavirus and other pandemics
- Increased compliance costs from strengthened environmental regulations
- Decrease in demand due to customer in-house production
- Increasing cyber security threats
Innovations
2024: Advanced automotive electric drive unit assembly equipment
- Overview
- Expanded introduction of AI inspection technology to electric vehicle drive unit assembly equipment.
- Impact
- Achieved improved assembly precision and reduced defect rates.
2023: Completion of next-generation vacuum transfer technology development
- Overview
- Equipped vacuum transfer equipment for organic EL production with new energy-saving motors.
- Impact
- Contributed to 20% reduction in power consumption.
2022: Renewal of robot control systems for production lines
- Overview
- Achieved 30% faster control response speed with proprietary software.
- Impact
- Contributed to productivity improvements.
2021: Promotion of environmentally compatible transfer equipment
- Overview
- Expanded lineup of energy-saving belt conveyors and other environmentally friendly equipment.
- Impact
- Supported CO2 reductions in customer factories.
2020: High-functionality upgrade of industrial robot 'AR-K' series
- Overview
- Significantly improved cleanroom compatibility and operability.
- Impact
- Increased adoption in semiconductor manufacturing equipment market.
Sustainability
- Maintenance of ISO 14001 environmental management certification
- Promotion of energy-saving in production equipment
- Waste recycling rate improvement program
- Design improvements for environmental impact reduction
- CSR activities supporting regional environmental conservation
- Environmental surveys and measures in supply chain
- Development of resource-saving transfer equipment
- Introduction of renewable energy in factories
- Formulation and operation of green procurement standards
- Strengthening of workplace safety and health
- Implementation of environmental education and awareness programs
- Sustainable equipment life extension design