Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd.

Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. (日東亜鉛株式会社) is a Japanese company specializing in hot-dip galvanizing, headquartered in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. It traces its origins to Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo, founded in Tsukishima, Tokyo, in 1924 (Taisho 13) by the grandfather of current president Koji Motono. The founder was inspired by the devastation of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake to contribute to infrastructure and nation-building, and began hot-dip galvanizing to protect steel for power transmission towers, water pipes, and gas pipes during reconstruction. The present company was established in October 1959 (Showa 34) as Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. with investment from Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo, at the request of Fuji Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., and began operations in Kawasaki. It has since grown into a leading specialist galvanizer in Japan, with a history spanning nearly 100 years. The company operates three plants: Kawasaki Works (headquarters), Nagoya Works (inside Nippon Steel's Nagoya Works), and a Tochigi plant operated by affiliate Nitto Galtec. Its Kawasaki Works has three galvanizing lines with large, medium, and small kettles, while the Nagoya Works has lines for pipes and rebar, and the Tochigi plant focuses on building materials. This multi-line setup allows Nitto Galvanizing to handle a wide range of products, from small-diameter to large-diameter pipes and from long structural members to small parts. It is noted as the only company capable of galvanizing both pipes and structures in mass production, using both paddle and batch methods. Monthly production capacity reaches 6,000 tons, described as top-class in eastern Japan. Nitto Galvanizing has contributed to prominent Japanese landmarks, including the Japan National Stadium (roof and stands) for the Tokyo Olympics and the observation deck of Tokyo Skytree. Its galvanized steel has also been used in theme park attractions, hotels, highway signposts, guardrails, communication towers, solar power mounts, utility poles, and large parking structures. Historically, it galvanized the chassis of the Nissan Prince Royal, the imperial car used by Emperor Showa. In 2015, the company developed "Pure Z," a lead-free and cadmium-free high-purity hot-dip galvanizing process, recognized as a Kawasaki Monozukuri Brand in 2025. The company is a private entity with capital of 100 million yen (authorized capital 200 million yen) and 124 employees. It is an official sponsor of the Kawasaki Brave Thunders basketball team and has received health management certifications.

Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. traces its roots to Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo (小幡亜鉛鍍金工場), founded in Tsukishima, Tokyo, in July 1924 (Taisho 13) by the grandfather of current president Koji Motono. The founder was motivated by the devastation of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which left Tokyo in ruins, and aspired to engage in infrastructure and nation-building. The company began hot-dip galvanizing to protect steel used in power transmission towers, water pipes, and gas pipes during the reconstruction. The business continued through World War II and the subsequent recovery, the high-growth period, and economic fluctuations, maintaining a continuous stream of work. In October 1959 (Showa 34), at the request of Fuji Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. was established with investment from Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo, located in Daishigawara, Kawasaki City. Operations began in January 1960 with galvanizing of Fuji Iron & Steel's Panther Mast products and Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe Co., Ltd.'s steel pipes. In January 1964, a Nagoya works was opened within Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe's Nagoya plant, starting pipe galvanizing; it was renamed Nagoya Works in January 1966. In April 1967, the threading department of Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe's Nagoya plant was transferred to the company. In April 1970, galvanizing of steel pipes and Panther Masts for Nippon Steel Corporation began. In April 1971, following the merger of Nippon Steel and Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe, the company took over galvanizing of steel pipes and general structures for Nippon Steel. In November 1980, the Kawasaki Works received Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) certification for hot-dip galvanizing (certification number 380159). In May 1985, the Nagoya Works completed conversion of its galvanizing furnace to COG (coke oven gas). Further developments continued into the Heisei era. Over the decades, Nitto Galvanizing has contributed to numerous iconic Japanese structures. It galvanized the roof and stands of the Japan National Stadium, the main venue of the Tokyo Olympics, and the observation deck of Tokyo Skytree, including columns supporting the glass and spiral staircases. Its galvanized steel is also used in attractions at a major Japanese theme park, hotels, highway signposts, guardrails, communication towers, solar power mounts, utility poles, and large outlet parking structures. Historically, it galvanized the chassis of the Nissan Prince Royal, the imperial car used by Emperor Showa. In 2015, the company developed "Pure Z," a lead-free and cadmium-free high-purity hot-dip galvanizing process, which was recognized as a Kawasaki Monozukuri Brand in 2025. The company operates three plants: Kawasaki Works (headquarters), Nagoya Works (inside Nippon Steel's Nagoya Works), and a Tochigi plant operated by affiliate Nitto Galtec. It has 124 employees and capital of 100 million yen (authorized capital 200 million yen). It is a private company and an official sponsor of the Kawasaki Brave Thunders basketball team.

• Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo founded in Tsukishima, Tokyo, marking the origin of Nitto Galvanizing.

• Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. established in Kawasaki with investment from Obata Aen Mekki Kogyo, at the request of Fuji Iron & Steel.

• Started galvanizing Fuji Iron & Steel's Panther Masts and Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe's steel pipes.

• Nagoya Works opened within Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe's Nagoya plant, starting pipe galvanizing.

• Nagoya Works renamed from Nagoya Operations Office.

• Took over the threading department of Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe's Nagoya plant.

• Began galvanizing steel pipes and Panther Masts for Nippon Steel Corporation.

• Following the merger of Nippon Steel and Fuji Sanki Steel Pipe, began galvanizing steel pipes and general structures for Nippon Steel.

• Kawasaki Works received JIS certification for hot-dip galvanizing (No. 380159).

• Nagoya Works completed conversion of its galvanizing furnace to COG (coke oven gas).

• Developed 'Pure Z,' a lead-free and cadmium-free high-purity hot-dip galvanizing process.

• Pure Z recognized as a Kawasaki Monozukuri Brand.

• Certified as Health Management Excellent Corporation for the fourth consecutive year.

• Received White Company GOLD certification for 2025.

• Received White Company GOLD certification for 2026.

Specialist manufacturer of hot-dip galvanizing with top-class production capacity in eastern Japan, trusted by major contractors and steelmakers.

• Hot-dip galvanizing of steel pipes

  Galvanizing of small to large diameter pipes using paddle and batch methods.

• Hot-dip galvanizing of general structures

  Galvanizing of building steel frames, civil engineering structures, and various steel products.

• Pure Z

  Lead-free and cadmium-free high-purity hot-dip galvanizing process developed in 2015.

1. 1日東亜鉛株式会社｜溶融亜鉛めっき専業メーカーnitto-aen.co.jp
2. 2日東亜鉛ストーリー｜日東亜鉛株式会社｜溶融亜鉛めっき専業メーカーnitto-aen.co.jp
3. 3会社案内｜日東亜鉛株式会社｜溶融亜鉛めっき専業メーカーnitto-aen.co.jp
4. 4Nitto Galvanizing Co., Ltd. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org