Tanaka Metal Factory Co., Ltd.
A Gifu-based precision metal parts manufacturer, spun off in 2023 from the former Tanaka Metal Works (now TKS), continuing the metalworking heritage of Japan's faucet-valve birthplace.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Tanaka Metal Factory Co., Ltd. (株式会社田中金属製作所) is a Japanese precision metal parts manufacturer headquartered in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. The company traces its origins to 1965, when Akio Tanaka founded Tanaka Iron Works with a single general-purpose lathe in the former Miyama Town, an area known as the birthplace of Japan's faucet-valve industry. For decades the business operated as a subcontractor machining metal components for water faucets and related plumbing parts. In 1994, the company was incorporated as Tanaka Metal Works Co., Ltd. (有限会社田中金属製作所), and in 2005 it changed its corporate name to Tanaka Metal Works Co., Ltd. (株式会社田中金属製作所). During this period, the company also began developing its own water-saving and fine-bubble showerhead products, achieving notable success with the "Aria Mist" water-saving showerhead in 2005 and the "Bollina" fine-bubble showerhead series in 2011. In 2020, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Charle Co., Ltd. through a share transfer. In 2023, a significant corporate restructuring took place: the original company changed its name to TKS Co., Ltd. and transferred its metal parts processing business. A new entity, Tanaka Metal Factory Co., Ltd., was established as a spin-off to carry on the metal component manufacturing operations, inheriting the DNA of the faucet-valve birthplace. The new company is led by Representative Director Yoshihiko Tanaka. Today, Tanaka Metal Factory specializes in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of metal and resin parts, leveraging its expertise in ultra-fine bubble (UFB) component manufacturing. The company also develops and sells camping equipment, beauty devices, and miscellaneous daily goods. It operates from its headquarters in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture, and continues to serve as a trusted technical group in the region.
History
The history of Tanaka Metal Factory Co., Ltd. begins in 1965, when Akio Tanaka founded Tanaka Iron Works in the former Miyama Town (now part of Yamagata City), Gifu Prefecture, using a single general-purpose lathe. The area was known as the birthplace of Japan's faucet-valve industry, and the company operated as a subcontractor machining metal components for water faucets. In 1969, the factory was relocated to Tominaga, Miyama Town, and in 1970 to Hiei (Kamishima district), Miyama Town. In 1975, a wooden factory was built and bar processing with automatic lathes began. In 1979, a steel-frame slate factory was added. In 1989, CNC lathe equipment was introduced, and in 1992, a new factory was built, starting 24-hour operations. In 1994, the company was incorporated as Tanaka Metal Works Co., Ltd. (有限会社田中金属製作所) with capital of 3 million yen. In 1997, an external warehouse was added, and in 2000, the warehouse was converted into a factory. In 2001, the company entered the water-saving business, began nationwide distributor contracts, launched the "MJP Shower Adapter," and obtained a patent for the "Foam Adapter." In 2002, a water-saving device for low-tank toilets, "Levelock," was registered as a design. In 2003, the factory was expanded and a new office was built; Akio Tanaka became Chairman and Kazuhiro Tanaka became Representative Director. The shower water-saving device "MJP" was launched, and the "Foam Adapter" won an Excellence Award at the Onogi Science and Technology Foundation Invention Exhibition. In 2004, the company was certified under the Gifu Prefecture Small and Medium Enterprise Creation Act. In 2005, the "Aria Mist" won first place in the Onogi Science and Technology Foundation Invention Award and received the Japan Patent Attorneys Association President's Encouragement Award at the Gifu Prefecture Invention Exhibition. The company changed its name to Tanaka Metal Works Co., Ltd. (株式会社田中金属製作所) and began selling the showerhead "SHOP Channel." In 2007, it was approved for a waste-elimination promotion project by the Gifu Prefecture Industrial Promotion Center. In 2008, it was approved for a joint commercialization project at Softopia Japan. In 2009, capital was increased to 10 million yen. In 2011, the company launched the fine-bubble showerhead "Bollina" series and was certified under the Small and Medium Enterprise Regional Resource Utilization Promotion Act. In 2012, it obtained a patent for "Bubble Generator / MB・UFB Generation Technology." In 2013, it was featured on TV Tokyo's "Gaia no Yoake." In 2015, it was featured on TV Asahi's "Nihon no Chikara." In 2016, it announced a water-saving app for iPhone, opened a Gifu branch office in Kinoshita-cho, Gifu City, and received a corporate value certification from the Corporate Value Association. In 2017, it was selected as one of the 300 Small and Medium Enterprises and 30 Shopping Streets with Promise by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, won first place in the third category of the Inamori Management Award, and was certified as a Regional Future Leading Company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In 2019, it received another corporate value certification. In 2020, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Charle Co., Ltd. through a share transfer. In 2023, the company changed its name to TKS Co., Ltd. and spun off its Miyama factory. A new company, Tanaka Metal Factory Co., Ltd., was established, with Yoshihiko Tanaka as Representative Director. This new entity inherited the metal parts manufacturing business and the DNA of the faucet-valve birthplace.
- 2017
Selected as one of 300 SMEs with Promise; won Inamori Management Award; certified as Regional Future Leading Company.
- 2016
Announced water-saving app for iPhone; opened Gifu branch office; received corporate value certification.
- 2015
Featured on TV Asahi's Nihon no Chikara.
- 2013
Featured on TV Tokyo's Gaia no Yoake.
- 2012
Obtained patent for Bubble Generator / MB・UFB Generation Technology.
- 2011
Launched Bollina fine-bubble showerhead series; certified under Regional Resource Utilization Promotion Act.
- 2009
Capital increased to 10 million yen.
- 2008
Approved for joint commercialization project at Softopia Japan.
- 2007
Approved for waste-elimination promotion project by Gifu Prefecture Industrial Promotion Center.
- 2005
Aria Mist won first place in Onogi Science and Technology Foundation Invention Award; company renamed Tanaka Metal Works Co., Ltd.; began selling SHOP Channel showerhead.
Products and positioning
A specialized metal parts manufacturer with deep expertise in faucet-valve components and ultra-fine bubble technology, trusted for precision and reliability.
2001
MJP Shower Adapter
2001
Foam Adapter
2002
Levelock
2005
Aria Mist
2011
Bollina
PureLUS
Avanti
Sources6 sources
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