Pioneering with Business Strategy and Community Contributions: Experts in Rapid Turnaround Technology and Copper Processing

Changes and Progress Over the Years

The history of Hata Metal Works begins with the brokerage of train parts. The founder, Mr. Hata’s grandfather, started the business by trading train parts. His father, the second generation, took over and focused on expanding and developing the business. However, when his father was hospitalized due to illness, he expressed a strong desire for his son to take over the company. At the age of 30, Mr. Hata joined Hata Metal Works, and at 39, he became the third-generation president. Since Mr. Hata became president, he has particularly focused on short delivery times and small-lot production, leading significant transformations in the company in line with the times.

The current strength of Hata Metal Works lies in its ability to handle short delivery time projects. This capability is partly due to the company’s experience with such projects, but more importantly, it is the result of a significant overhaul of the company’s structure in the past.

Initially, there was resistance from the employees when they began to focus on short delivery time projects. Unlike the present, during the second generation, the company primarily dealt with large clients and had a completely different structure. However, during the second generation, a major client was acquired through a merger, which posed a risk to the company’s survival if it continued with the same business model. This situation forced them to reorganize their structure. Despite internal resistance, they gradually increased the number of short delivery time projects, which were in demand in the industry, and established this as their business model. Mr. Hata states that he has valued learning from failures and not fearing them during the reforms.

“In manufacturing, unexpected troubles and mistakes sometimes occur, but I strive to be lenient in such cases. This is because I want my team to take on new challenges without the fear of failure.”

Such efforts can be seen as a story of challenge and growth in business, transcending the boundaries of manufacturing. Mr. Hata’s leadership and flexible approach have led the company to success.

Commitment to Copper and the Combination of Our Strengths

The reason why the company began to engage in copper manufacturing traces back to a request made to the founder, Mr. Hata’s grandfather, during a conversation with a hobby group, asking if they could produce parts for trains. Although the business started by chance, even today, the company continues to specialize in copper manufacturing, adapting its structure over time.

The demand for short delivery times in copper products is exemplified by the manufacturing of distribution boards for buildings. As a building progresses, the exterior is constructed first, and the installation of the distribution board usually takes place at the final stage. Although the design of the distribution board starts late, the building itself is almost complete, so the client requires quick manufacturing.

However, meeting short delivery times necessitates the appropriate equipment and systems, which many companies struggle with. As previously mentioned, when Mr. Hata took over as the third-generation president, he focused on short delivery manufacturing by adding necessary machinery. He also restructured and trained personnel to establish a solid system. These initiatives became Mr. Hata’s strengths.

Moreover, in the metal processing industry, where many companies handle iron and aluminum, few specialize in copper, which is another strength of the company. To fully leverage the two major strengths of “short delivery times for small-lot production” and “specialization in copper products,” the company currently only handles domestic manufacturing in Japan and does not consider expanding overseas, where quick responses are more challenging. Eventually, the company aims to adapt flexibly to industry and market changes.

Mr. Hata’s Personality and Manufacturing

Many people are involved in Japan’s manufacturing industry, most of whom work for companies manufacturing parts for large corporations, surrounded by many small companies. Structurally, small companies inevitably become weaker. Considering this situation, Mr. Hata said, “While small-scale companies are aware of each other and work together, excessive competition or conflict is detrimental to the industry as a whole. Instead, by combining our strengths and areas of expertise, we can collaborate to create unique products, contributing to the development of the entire industry.” He continued, “Rather than aiming to be the top in sales, I want to lead the industry in customer responsiveness, quality, and delivery speed.”

To attract young talent, Mr. Hata built a new company building in 2022, designed to look different from a typical manufacturing facility. This effort aims to improve the declining interest of young people in manufacturing and make them want to work here.

In recent years, the company has also been actively involved in contributing to the local community. As a sponsor of the professional basketball team based in Osaka, the Osaka Evessa, they have also donated basketballs to elementary schools. Mr. Hata expressed his hope that these activities would encourage more people to feel a desire to work for a local company.

In the modern era, it has become easier to disseminate information using social media, increasing attention to the manufacturing industry. Individuals can now offer products in new ways, such as setting up online shops. In this context, the company aims to focus directly on products that leverage its strengths, increase new customers, deepen ties with customers and the local community, and grow its fan base. Mr. Hata’s sincere desire to satisfy customers is reflected in his earnest efforts, which enhance the company’s reliability.

Looking ahead, we want to watch Hata Metal Works continue to fulfill its mission, grow further, and maintain its contributions to the local community.