Yuken Industry Co., Ltd.
Japanese surface-treatment technology pioneer providing chemical products, plastics processing, and PVD coating services for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Yuken Industry Co., Ltd. is a Japanese specialty chemical and surface-treatment company headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. Founded in 1940 by Denzaburo Inuzuka as Inuzuka Kogyosho, a manufacturer of textile oiling agents, the company was incorporated in 1951 as Yuken Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and renamed Yuken Industry Co., Ltd. in 1974. The name "Yuken" derives from the characters for oil and fats (yu), soap (ken), and the founder's family name Inuzuka (ken). The company operates three core business divisions: the Chemical Products Division, which develops and sells metal surface-treatment agents such as phosphate coating chemicals and industrial cleaners; the Plastics Processing Division, which specializes in plating on plastics and electromagnetic shielding plating (Y-Shield); and the TL Division, which provides PVD coating processing. Its products are used extensively in automotive components, electronic parts, transportation equipment, and housing equipment. Yuken Industry has built a global network through group companies and alliances. It established Yuken America in Michigan in 2006, Siam Yuken in Thailand in 2011, Yuken Mexicana in Irapuato, Mexico in 2014, Yuken Surface Technology in Mexico in 2016, and Yuken Europe in Frankfurt, Germany in 2018. It also expanded into China in 1997 with operations in Tianjin, Kunshan, and Shenzhen. The company positions itself as a pioneer in environmentally friendly surface-treatment technology, promoting carbon-negative manufacturing and sustainability. As of 2026, the company is led by its fifth president, Motohiro Katagiri, who took office in 2023. Yuken Industry remains a privately held company and has received recognition for its technology and health management practices, including the Health and Productivity Management Organization certification from 2024 to 2026.
History
Yuken Industry Co., Ltd. traces its origins to 1940, when Denzaburo Inuzuka founded Inuzuka Kogyosho in Chita District, Aichi Prefecture, to manufacture and sell sizing oil for cotton textile refining. During World War II, soap distribution declined sharply, and in 1942 the company began producing a paste-like semi-solid soap as a substitute for solid soap. After the war, Inuzuka Kogyosho resumed operations in 1947, adding cosmetic cream and laundry soap made from fish oil. To address odor and quality issues, the company introduced hardening oil equipment in 1948 and a salting-out kettle in 1949, establishing full-scale laundry soap production. In 1951, the business was incorporated as Yuken Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. The name "Yuken" combines the characters for oil and fats (yu), soap (ken), and the founder's family name Inuzuka (ken). The company produced various laundry soaps under brands such as Senryo Koban, Ichifuji, Dragons, Pet, Yuken, Kikko, and Kijo. However, intensifying competition from major manufacturers in 1957 prompted a strategic shift from household laundry soap to industrial cleaning agents. In 1958, the company developed Pakuna, its first industrial chemical cleaner, marking its full entry into the industrial sector. In 1959, Eiichi Inuzuka became the first president. The company developed Pondeon, a phosphate coating agent used in subsequent processes, and its sales expanded, leading to the establishment of a dedicated Pakuna production factory in 1962 and a complete withdrawal from the soap business. Sales offices were opened in Nagoya (1963), Tokyo (1965), and Osaka (1965). In 1967, the company successfully developed metal plating on plastic surfaces and launched its Plastics Processing Division, creating a two-division structure. The headquarters factory moved to its current location in Kariya in 1969, and the company was renamed Yuken Industry Co., Ltd. in 1974. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Yuken expanded its operations and sales network across Japan, establishing offices in Omiya (1979), Shizuoka (1981), Kyushu (1982), Kanagawa (1987), and Tohoku (2000). In 1989, the company launched its functional thin-film processing business. In 1997, it expanded into China with operations in Tianjin, Kunshan, and Shenzhen. The company obtained ISO 14001 certification in 2001 and received the Monozukuri Brand NAGOYA award in 2003. In the 2000s and 2010s, Yuken accelerated its global expansion. It established Yuken America in Michigan in 2006, Siam Yuken in Thailand in 2011, Yuken Mexicana in Irapuato, Mexico in 2014, Yuken Surface Technology in Mexico in 2016, and Yuken Europe in Frankfurt, Germany in 2018. Domestically, it built the Takadana Factory in 1998, the Toyama Factory in 2009, and opened the Okinawa outdoor exposure test site in 2020. Leadership transitions saw Norikazu Kojima become the third president in 2010, Taimon Inuzuka the fourth in 2020, and Motohiro Katagiri the fifth in 2023. In 2024, the company opened YUKEN Innovation Center TOKYO and began TL business at Siam Yuken. It has been certified as a Health and Productivity Management Organization from 2024 to 2026.
- 2016
Established Yuken Surface Technology in Mexico.
- 2014
Established Yuken Mexicana in Irapuato, Mexico.
- 2011
Established Siam Yuken in Thailand.
- 2010
Norikazu Kojima became the third president.
- 2009
Completed Toyama Factory.
- 2006
Established Yuken America in Michigan, USA.
- 2001
Obtained ISO 14001 certification.
- 1997
Expanded into China (Tianjin, Kunshan, Shenzhen).
- 1989
Launched functional thin-film processing business.
- 1988
Masao Inuzuka became the second president.
Products and positioning
Pioneer in environmentally friendly surface-treatment technology, emphasizing carbon-negative manufacturing and global supply.
メタス YFA-CFH2/35HR
メタス HS-15P
メタス RB
メタス HB-2
メタス HB
メタス FCM-24A/B
樹脂めっき (Plating on Plastics)
電磁波シールドめっき (Y-Shield)
PVDコーティング加工
Sources5 sources
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