Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co., Ltd.
A Nippon Steel Group surface-modification manufacturer specializing in welding and thermal-spraying hardfacing technologies for the steel industry and other sectors.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co., Ltd. is a Japanese surface-modification manufacturer that originated from hardfacing (surface-hardening) technology. Established in September 1960 as Nippon Hardfacing Co., Ltd. by promoters Yawata Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (now Nippon Steel Corporation) and Yawata Welding Electrode Co., Ltd. (now Nippon Steel Welding & Engineering Co., Ltd.), the company began operations inside the Yawata Steel Works grounds in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, with initial capital of 5 million yen. It is described by its own leadership as the only surface-modification manufacturer within the Nippon Steel Group. The company's core business is the development of materials and application technologies for welding and thermal spraying, with a focus on extending the service life and minimizing the lifecycle cost of rolls (excluding rolling rolls) and peripheral equipment used in the steel industry. Over the decades it has expanded its application fields to include paper manufacturing, printing, IT, environmental, and energy sectors. Its product and service portfolio centers on hardfacing, thermal-sprayed coatings, and related surface-treatment solutions. Domestically, Nippon Steel Hardfacing operates manufacturing sites in Tobata (Kitakyushu, Fukuoka), Nagoya (Tokai, Aichi), Oita (Oita City), and Kimitsu (Kimitsu, Chiba). The company moved its head office to Tokyo in 1968. It began thermal-spraying operations at Nagoya in 1981, at Tobata in 1990, and at Kimitsu in 1992. Internationally, it has promoted globalization since the 1990s, starting with technology licensing to thermal-spraying operators in North America and Brazil. In November 2012 it established Nippon Steel Hardfacing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. as a supply base in East Asia, serving customers across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. The company has undergone several name changes reflecting its parent group's evolution: it became Nittetsu Hard Co., Ltd. in 1973, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Hard Co., Ltd. in 2012, and adopted its current name, Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co., Ltd., in April 2019. Its representative director and president is Makoto Suenaga. As a member of the Nippon Steel Group, it positions itself as a public entity trusted by stakeholders, emphasizing safety and health, integrated manufacturing-sales-technology collaboration, and continuous human resource development.
History
Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co., Ltd. was established in September 1960 as Nippon Hardfacing Co., Ltd. (日本ハードフェイシング株式会社) with capital of 5 million yen, located in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The promoters were Yawata Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (now Nippon Steel Corporation) and Yawata Welding Electrode Co., Ltd. (now Nippon Steel Welding & Engineering Co., Ltd.), who planned a metal surface-hardening business based on welding. The company began operations at its Tobata Plant in Kitakyushu in September 1961. In March 1968, the head office was relocated to Tokyo. The company then expanded its manufacturing footprint: the Nagoya Plant in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, started operation in June 1969; the Oita Plant in Oita City began in September 1971; and the Kimitsu Plant in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, started in September 1972, the same year capital was increased to 100 million yen. In September 1973, the company changed its name to Nittetsu Hard Co., Ltd. (日鉄ハード株式会社). In August 1981, the company began thermal-spraying operations at the Nagoya Plant and increased capital to 200 million yen. Thermal spraying began at the Tobata Plant in December 1990, and capital was increased to 410 million yen in April 1991. In September 1991, the company licensed thermal-spraying technology to a North American local thermal-spraying operator, coinciding with the start of Nippon Steel's North American CGL (continuous galvanizing line) business. In July 1992, thermal spraying began at the Kimitsu Plant. In July 1997, the company licensed thermal-spraying technology to a Brazilian local thermal-spraying operator, coinciding with the start of Nippon Steel's South American CGL business. In October 2012, the company changed its name to Nippon Steel & Sumikin Hard Co., Ltd. (日鉄住金ハード株式会社). In November 2012, it established Nippon Steel & Sumikin Hard (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. In April 2019, the company changed its name to Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co., Ltd. (日鉄ハードフェイシング株式会社), and the Thai subsidiary was renamed Nippon Steel Hardfacing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (日鉄ハードフェイシング・タイランド株式会社). Throughout its history, the company has positioned itself as the only surface-modification manufacturer within the Nippon Steel Group, focusing on welding and thermal-spraying materials and application technologies. It has expanded its application fields from steel to paper manufacturing, printing, IT, environmental, and energy sectors. In recent years, it has continued to strengthen its global supply system, with a particular focus on the steel industry worldwide, and established a Thermal Spray Materials Division.
Established as Nippon Hardfacing Co., Ltd. in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, with capital of 5 million yen, promoted by Yawata Iron & Steel and Yawata Welding Electrode.
Tobata Plant in Kitakyushu began operation.
Head office relocated to Tokyo.
Nagoya Plant in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, began operation.
Oita Plant in Oita City began operation.
Kimitsu Plant in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, began operation; capital increased to 100 million yen.
Company name changed to Nittetsu Hard Co., Ltd.
Thermal spraying operations began at Nagoya Plant; capital increased to 200 million yen.
Thermal spraying operations began at Tobata Plant.
Capital increased to 410 million yen.
Products and positioning
The only surface-modification manufacturer within the Nippon Steel Group, targeting the global steel industry with welding and thermal-spraying technologies.
Hardfacing welding materials
Thermal spray materials
Surface-modified rolls (excluding rolling rolls)
Peripheral equipment for steelmaking
Sources5 sources
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