C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD.

C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD. (上村工業株式会社) is a Japanese specialty chemicals and plating equipment manufacturer with origins dating back to 1848, when it was founded as a traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine wholesaler named 'Sanukiya' in Doshomachi, Osaka — then the center of Japan's pharmaceutical trade. Over more than 175 years, the company transformed from a drug merchant into a comprehensive surface-finishing technology enterprise, now recognized as a leading global supplier of plating chemicals, equipment, and process solutions. The company's modern identity took shape in the early 20th century. In 1918, it succeeded in domestic production of oil-based abrasives, reducing Japan's reliance on imports. In 1933, it incorporated as Uyemura Chōbei Shōten Co., Ltd., and in 1969 changed its name to the current Uyemura Kōgyō Co., Ltd. (C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD.). Key product lines developed over the decades include electroless nickel plating solutions (Nimuden series), automatic plating equipment (Robot Compact, UF Carrier), and chemical management systems (Nimcon, Chemirobo). Today, Uyemura operates globally, with subsidiaries and joint ventures including Uyemura International Corporation (UIC) in the United States, established in 1985, and an extensive network across Asia. The company serves industries such as electronics, semiconductors, printed circuit boards, and automotive components, providing advanced surface treatment technologies. It is listed on the Japanese stock exchange and continues to invest in R&D, as evidenced by its participation in major industry exhibitions like SEMICON Japan and JPCA Show. Uyemura's business spans three core pillars: abrasives, chemicals, and machinery — a combination that positions it as a one-stop comprehensive manufacturer in the plating field. Its products support cutting-edge manufacturing, from high-density hard disk drives to semiconductor packaging and glass substrates. The company remains headquartered in Osaka and maintains a strong commitment to research and development, with its central research laboratory equipped with advanced analytical instruments since the 1960s.

The history of C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD. spans more than 175 years, beginning in 1848 when the founder, Sanukiya Chōbei, established a store specializing in Japanese and Chinese medicine wholesale in Doshomachi, Osaka — the hub of Japan's pharmaceutical trade. The company operated under the trade name 'Sanukiya' and remained a drug merchant for decades. The transition to modern manufacturing began in the early 20th century. After World War I, the Japanese government promoted domestic production to reduce reliance on imports. In 1918, the sixth-generation Uyemura Chōbei succeeded in domestic production of oil-based abrasives, marking the company's entry into manufacturing. In 1933, the business was incorporated as Uyemura Chōbei Shōten Co., Ltd. with capital of 500,000 yen, and the sixth-generation Uyemura Chōbei became its first president. The company name was changed to Uyemura Kōgyō Co., Ltd. (C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD.) in 1969. In 1957, the company established a Chemicals Department, focusing on plating technology research and developing additives such as 'Asahi Capner' for cyanide copper plating and 'Asahi Light' for bright nickel plating. In 1960, a Machinery Department was added, designing automatic plating equipment, which solidified the company's position as a comprehensive manufacturer in the plating field. In 1963, a joint venture, Sanwa Bōsei Co., Ltd. (later Samix Co., Ltd.), was established in Moriguchi, Osaka, as a testing ground for products before market release; it was absorbed into Uyemura in 2024. Key product innovations followed: in 1967, the fully automatic programmable plating system 'Robot Compact' was launched; in 1968, the chemical products factory and central research laboratory were completed at the Hirakata site; in 1972, the electroless nickel plating solution 'Nimuden' was released, establishing a strong position in the plating industry; in 1980, the automatic chemical management system 'Nimcon' was introduced; in 1983, the general-purpose plating solution management system 'Chemirobo' was launched; and in 1984, the electroless nickel plating solution for hard disks, 'Nimuden HDX', was developed, contributing to high-density magnetic disk production. In 1996, the company received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award for its electroless plating hard disk underlayer technology. International expansion accelerated in 1985 with the establishment of Uyemura International Corporation (UIC) in Los Angeles, USA, followed by further global expansion centered on Asia. The company is now listed on the Japanese stock exchange and continues to operate globally, participating in major industry exhibitions such as SEMICON Japan and JPCA Show, and investing in R&D for advanced surface treatment technologies.

• 2024

  Samix Co., Ltd. absorbed into Uyemura Kōgyō Co., Ltd.

• 1996

  Received Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award for electroless plating hard disk underlayer technology.

• 1985

  Established Uyemura International Corporation (UIC) in Los Angeles, USA.

• 1984

  Developed electroless nickel plating solution 'Nimuden HDX' for hard disks.

• 1983

  Launched general-purpose plating solution management system 'Chemirobo'.

• 1980

  Launched automatic chemical management system 'Nimcon'.

• 1972

  Released electroless nickel plating solution 'Nimuden'.

• 1969

  Changed company name to Uyemura Kōgyō Co., Ltd. (C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD.).

• 1968

  Completed chemical products factory and central research laboratory at Hirakata site.

• 1967

  Launched 'Robot Compact', a fully automatic programmable plating system.

• 1963

  Established Sanwa Bōsei Co., Ltd. (later Samix Co., Ltd.) as a joint venture in Moriguchi, Osaka.

• 1960

  Established Machinery Department, designing automatic plating equipment.

• 1957

  Established Chemicals Department, focusing on plating technology research.

• 1933

  Incorporated as Uyemura Chōbei Shōten Co., Ltd. with capital of 500,000 yen.

• 1918

  Succeeded in domestic production of oil-based abrasives.

• 1848

  Founded in Doshomachi, Osaka as a Japanese and Chinese medicine wholesaler under the trade name 'Sanukiya'.

Comprehensive manufacturer in the plating field, combining abrasives, chemicals, and machinery to provide advanced surface-finishing solutions for electronics and industrial applications.

• Nimuden series

  Electroless nickel plating solutions, including Nimuden 5X, DX, and HDX for various applications.

• Robot Compact

  Fully automatic programmable plating system launched in 1967.

• Nimcon

  Automatic chemical management system for electroless nickel plating, launched in 1980.

• Chemirobo

  General-purpose plating solution management system launched in 1983.

• UF Carrier

  Automated plating equipment line, successor to Robot Compact.

• Asahi Capner

  Brightener for cyanide copper plating.

• Asahi Light

  Brightener for bright nickel plating.

1. 1TOP | 上村工業株式会社uyemura.co.jp
2. 2創業からのあゆみ | 上村工業株式会社uyemura.co.jp
3. 3映像ライブラリ | 上村工業株式会社uyemura.co.jp
4. 4ウエムラ博士のめっき物語 | 上村工業株式会社uyemura.co.jp
5. 5C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD. - Wikidatawikidata.org