Marusa Saito GOM

Marusa Saito GOM Co., Ltd. (株式会社マルサ斉藤ゴム) was a Japanese company engaged in the manufacture and sale of rubber balloons. Founded in 1950 by Shuji Saito as Saito Gom, it was incorporated in January 1981. The company produced children's toy rubber balloons, often featuring collaborations with anime characters, as well as promotional balloons and film balloons for television programs. To reduce costs, production of rubber and film balloons was carried out at a factory in Thailand, and rubber balloons were sold through toy manufacturers and wholesalers to convenience stores, supermarkets, and large retailers. For the fiscal year ending November 1997, annual sales were approximately 280 million yen. However, demand for children's toy rubber balloons declined due to the falling birthrate. From 2011, the company began developing products targeting adults, including "Marusa Balloon," a handmade balloon for adults, and "Fusen Volley," a balloon volleyball activity that can be enjoyed by children, adults, and the elderly. In 2013, it acquired the only balloon factory in Japan, located in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, and in 2014 expanded into Europe and Southeast Asia. However, the novel coronavirus outbreak in 2020 made it difficult to procure materials from Southeast Asia and reduced demand for event balloons in Japan, worsening business performance. As a result, Marusa Saito GOM filed for bankruptcy with the Tokyo District Court on April 6, 2020, and received a bankruptcy commencement decision on April 10, 2020. Total liabilities were approximately 200 million yen. With this, domestically handmade rubber balloons disappeared. The corporate entity of Marusa Saito GOM was dissolved on December 18, 2020.

Marusa Saito GOM was founded in 1950 by Shuji Saito under the name Saito Gom. It was incorporated as Marusa Saito GOM Co., Ltd. on January 8, 1981. In 1985, Hirohide Saito became representative director. In 1993, the company established an overseas manufacturing division in Bangkok. In 2009, Yasuyuki Saito became representative director. In 2013, it acquired the only balloon factory in Japan, located in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture. In 2016, it established a local sales company in Manila. In 2014, it expanded into Europe and Southeast Asia. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 made it difficult to procure materials from Southeast Asia and reduced demand for event balloons in Japan, leading to worsening performance. The company filed for bankruptcy with the Tokyo District Court on April 6, 2020, and received a bankruptcy commencement decision on April 10, 2020. Total liabilities were approximately 200 million yen. The corporate entity was dissolved on December 18, 2020. With this, domestically handmade rubber balloons disappeared.

• 2020

  Filed for bankruptcy on April 6; received bankruptcy commencement decision on April 10; corporate entity dissolved on December 18.

• 2016

  Established a local sales company in Manila.

• 2014

  Expanded into Europe and Southeast Asia.

• 2013

  Acquired the only balloon factory in Japan, located in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture.

• 2011

  Began selling adult-oriented products such as 'Marusa Balloon' and 'Fusen Volley'.

• 2009

  Yasuyuki Saito became representative director.

• 1997

  Annual sales for the fiscal year ending November were approximately 280 million yen.

• 1993

  Established overseas manufacturing division in Bangkok.

• 1985

  Hirohide Saito became representative director.

• 1981

  Incorporated as Marusa Saito GOM Co., Ltd. on January 8.

• 1950

  Founded as Saito Gom by Shuji Saito.

Manufacturer of rubber and film balloons for children and, later, adults, with a focus on character collaborations and promotional use.

• Rubber balloons

  Children's toy rubber balloons, often with anime character collaborations, and promotional balloons.

• Film balloons

  Film balloons for television programs.

• Marusa Balloon

  Handmade balloons for adults, launched in 2011.

• Fusen Volley

  Balloon volleyball activity for all ages, launched in 2011.

1. 1Marusa Saito GOM - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2マルサ斉藤ゴム - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org