Pabco Co., Ltd.

Pabco Co., Ltd. (株式会社パブコ) is a Japanese manufacturer of truck bodies and transport equipment headquartered in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its origins trace back to 1901, when its founder built wooden handcarts (daihachiguruma); over more than a century the company evolved from cart and carriage making into a specialist in truck body fabrication, becoming what it describes as the first 'century company' in the vehicle body industry. The company's name, adopted in 1990, derives from 'Pearl-Line All Brothers Corporation,' reflecting a philosophy of collective strength. Pabco designs and builds a broad range of commercial vehicle bodies, including wing bodies (marketed under the EXEO WING brand), aluminum vans (Alumi Van), flatbed bodies (The Block), tailgate lifters (kakunou, suichoku and combi lifts), and detachable/swappable body systems (SWAP body). It also performs chassis modification work such as frame extension and reinforcement, cab cutting, full-trailer conversion, and special-purpose vehicle fabrication, and provides optional equipment installation for Mitsubishi Fuso chassis. The company operates two manufacturing plants and seven sales locations within Japan, employing approximately 600 people. It is wholly owned by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, with stated capital of 110 million yen. Pabco positions itself as a responsive, customer-oriented body maker serving logistics and distribution businesses across Japan.

Pabco's history begins in 1901, when its founder — originally trained as a woodworker (kijiya) — began producing wooden handcarts (daihachiguruma). The founder's family had fallen on hard times despite earlier wealth, and after leaving elementary school he was apprenticed to a woodworker; he later assisted his late father's family business in cart making and became independent at age 25. From carts he progressed to carriage making, and eventually to omnibus-style passenger carriages that were precursors to buses. A turning point came in 1923, the company's 24th year, when the Great Kanto Earthquake devastated the Tokyo region. With tram networks destroyed, large numbers of Ford Model T chassis were urgently imported from the United States and converted into buses. As tram service was restored, those buses were in turn converted into special-purpose vehicles and trucks. Pabco's technical capabilities were recognized, and it produced its commemorative first truck body. Thereafter the company shifted its focus from the declining omnibus carriage business to truck body fabrication, developing proprietary bodies clad in steel and aluminum and steadily expanding its market share. After Japan's defeat in World War II, industries previously devoted to military production converted to civilian demand. Pabco opened its Tokyo factory in 1948. During the Korean War boom, demand for body fabrication surged and the business expanded. In 1961 the Sagami factory — the site of Pabco's current base — was completed, followed by the Sagami No. 2 factory in 1969, providing a new platform for growth. Over time the company built a nationwide network covering from Hokkaido to the Kinki region, transforming from a small body shop into a major body manufacturer and establishing itself as a 'reliable body maker.' In 1990, after weathering difficulties including the oil shocks, the company changed its name to 'Pabco.' The name derives from 'Pearl-Line All Brothers Corporation,' with the idea that while a single pearl is beautiful, a ring of pearls is even more beautiful. Pabco describes itself as the first 'century company' in the vehicle body industry and continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, with two domestic plants and seven sales bases.

• 1990

  Company name changed to 'Pabco,' derived from 'Pearl-Line All Brothers Corporation.'

• 1969

  Sagami No. 2 factory completed.

• 1961

  Sagami factory completed, becoming the site of Pabco's current base.

• 1948

  Tokyo factory begins operation.

• 1923

  After the Great Kanto Earthquake, Pabco produces its first truck body, shifting toward truck body fabrication.

• 1901

  Founder begins producing wooden handcarts (daihachiguruma), the origin of Pabco.

A century-old, customer-responsive truck body manufacturer and Mitsubishi Fuso subsidiary serving Japan's logistics industry.

• EXEO WING

  Wing body line, including Heavy Duty, Medium Duty and Light Duty variants, with a world-first electric chain unit for the wing opening/closing mechanism.

• Alumi Van

  Aluminum van body drivable with an ordinary driver's license, also used for delivery services.

• The Block

  High-quality flatbed body offering short lead times and immediate usability.

• SWAP body

  Detachable/swappable body system.

• High Jack Self

  Pabco integrated high-jack self system.

• Tailgate lifters (kakunou, suichoku, combi)

  Range of tailgate lifters for loading and unloading.

1. 1ホームページ - パブコpabco.co.jp
2. 2ヒストリー - パブコpabco.co.jp
3. 3企業概要 - パブコpabco.co.jp
4. 4製品情報 - パブコpabco.co.jp
5. 5Pabco Co., Ltd. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org