Nippon Filing Co., Ltd.
Japanese manufacturer of steel storage furniture and automated storage systems for logistics, libraries, museums, offices, and homes, founded in 1924.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Nippon Filing Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of storage systems and steel furniture, headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1924 as Tokyo Steel Furniture Manufacturing Works, the company began as Japan's first industrial producer of steel furniture, motivated by the need for fire-resistant furniture after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. It later renamed itself Nippon Filing Co., Ltd. in 1949 and has since grown into a comprehensive provider of storage solutions. The company operates two main business domains: logistics storage and document/material storage. Its product range includes shelving, filing cabinets, mobile shelving, automated storage and retrieval systems, library shelving and furniture, museum storage equipment, and office fixtures. Notable products include the 'Auto Lib' automated library storage system, the 'Cygmus' panel bookshelf, and the 'Sky Rack System' automated warehouse. Nippon Filing emphasizes an integrated approach covering planning, design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, allowing it to customize solutions for each client. Nippon Filing serves a wide range of sectors: logistics centers, factories, warehouses, libraries, government offices, post offices, hospitals, museums, art galleries, and private homes. The company operates a 72,000 m² factory in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and maintains research and development facilities in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, along with a nationwide sales network. It publishes a technical journal, 'Better Storage', and has a 100-year history of technological development and market creation in steel storage furniture.
History
Nippon Filing Co., Ltd. was founded in 1924 as Tokyo Steel Furniture Manufacturing Works, initiating Japan's first industrial production of steel furniture. The impetus was the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which demonstrated the need for fire-resistant steel furniture. In 1932, the company delivered fire-resistant securities boxes to the Bank of Japan, and in 1937, stainless steel display cases to the Tokyo Imperial Household Museum, establishing a reputation for technical excellence. In 1939, Tokyo Sokki Co., Ltd. was established. During World War II, the company operated as a naval supervision factory, producing military goods. The 1945 Tokyo air raids destroyed its factories in Omori and Rokugo, halting production for six years. In 1949, the company was renamed Nippon Filing Co., Ltd. and focused on sales, securing a large order for filing cabinets for the National Personnel Authority. Production was initially outsourced due to lost facilities. In 1950, it launched the BS-type single-column and FS-type multi-column bookshelves. In 1951, it established a new factory in Morigasaki, Ota-ku, Tokyo, and began full-scale production of steel shelving and storage racks. In 1952, it launched the Pallet Rack heavy-duty shelf. Branches opened in Osaka (1955) and Nagoya (1959). In 1961, founder Tajima received the Medal with Purple Ribbon for contributions to steel furniture R&D. In 1962, production moved to Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and the company expanded its sales network. In 1965, it launched the Light Bin chemical management shelf, and in 1967, the Electric Stack Runner mobile shelf. In 1968, the Sky Rack System automated warehouse was released. In 1971, steel bookshelves received JIS certification, and the technical journal 'PD' (now 'Better Storage') was first published. From 1975, the company shifted from storage shelves to storage systems, launching the Stack Hover suspended mobile shelf (1975), Handle-type Stack Runner (1976), Pick Rack flow rack (1977), and Front Runner mobile shelf (1977). In 1977, it also launched the Container Server System automated retrieval system. In 1979, it conducted large-scale seismic experiments on storage equipment at the National Research Center for Disaster Prevention. In 1981, the Biblio series bookshelves were launched, and seven models received the Good Design Award. In 1982, a new factory was completed in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and the company adopted JIT production. The company has continued to develop automated storage systems, including the Auto Lib automated library storage system, which received a Good Design Award in 2025 for its new Teller Station design. Nippon Filing celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, maintaining a 72,000 m² factory in Joso and R&D facilities in Kashiwa, Chiba.
- 2024
Celebrated 100th anniversary.
- 1982
Completed new factory in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture; adopted JIT production.
- 1981
Launched Biblio series bookshelves; seven models received Good Design Award.
- 1979
Conducted large-scale seismic experiments on storage equipment at the National Research Center for Disaster Prevention.
- 1977
Launched Pick Rack flow rack, Front Runner mobile shelf, and Container Server System automated retrieval system.
- 1976
Launched Handle-type Stack Runner mobile shelf.
- 1975
Launched Stack Hover suspended mobile shelf.
- 1974
Opened Hiroshima Office.
- 1971
Steel bookshelves received JIS certification; technical journal 'PD' (now 'Better Storage') first published.
- 1968
Launched Sky Rack System automated warehouse; opened Sendai Office.
Products and positioning
Comprehensive storage solutions provider with integrated planning, design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance capabilities, specializing in customized systems for logistics and document storage.
Auto Lib
Automated library storage system with new Teller Station design that won Good Design Award in 2025.
Cygmus
Panel bookshelf, a new product.
Sky Rack System
Automated warehouse system launched in 1968.
Stack Runner
Mobile shelving series, including electric and handle types.
Biblio Series
Library shelving series launched in 1981, with Good Design Award-winning models.
Pallet Rack
Heavy-duty storage rack launched in 1952.
Light Bin
Chemical management shelf launched in 1965.
Pick Rack
Flow rack launched in 1977.
Container Server System
Automated retrieval system launched in 1977.
Sources5 sources
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