Message of Greetings
APLF will be a good opportunity to expand Japanese leather products to the world
Message from Mr. Osawa, the chairperson of JLIA
JLIA participates in APLF this year again.
22 companies of shoes, luggage, bags, belts, gloves and accessories will take part in the exhibition this year.
Since Japan is a small and resource-poor country, the economy had evolved with processed-trade. This is one of the reasons why it is said the strength of Japanese products is in its manufacturing process. Especially, the idea of TQC (Total Quality Control), introduced to many industries since the 70's, works effectively in quality improvement. TQC defines "Quality must be made in the production process"; it means the best product is made when each process takes responsibility for the quality of the products they produce.
In the case of leather products, stitches can be done beautifully when the pre-sewing processes are done well, such as tanning, skiving, cutting and embossing. The policy of making high-quality products by predicting the quality of the finished product is thoroughly understood at every production process from the material processing to the finishing.
In addition to above, the optimized production system also leads Japanese leather products to one of the top quality in the world.
Developments of computing and IT technology made it possible to digitalize individual skills, technical standards and evaluations which used to be handed down to the next generation by hands-on training from craftsmen. Yet, I still think that a basis of good quality is in "Professional Skill" and "Experience" of craftsmen who commit manufacturing dedicatedly, and in experience-cultivated "Production process".
Overseas production of shoes has been increasing in these years to meet a demand in Japan which is 7 hundred million pairs per year. Now, we are interested in expanding our quality shoes to the world market. Since a shape of Asian people's foot is similar, our experience refined by the demanding Japanese customers will be useful, especially on a product like shoes requiring a good fit.
Japan's products sense has been evolving in the mature fashion market as well as the manufacturing skill.
We hope to bring our bags and accessories out to the world's fashion market.
A quality of bags made by Japanese manufacturers, for example, has already reached to the point that overseas buyers want.
All companies who participate in APLF 2010 are ambitious to expand their business to the world. They see this participation as a good opportunity to become a world-class company in the future. We would like visitors to see our proud products and check Japanese sensitivities and techniques.
Mr. Shigemi Osawa
Chairperson of JAPAN LEATHER AND LEATHER GOODS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
Appeal of Handbags
Appeal of Handbags
Manufacturing technique had evolved by being trained by consumers and dealers
Japanese women are perhaps the world's top bag lovers. They had bought famous brands' high-end bags for years by going so far as to borrow money or tighten the cost of living. However, things have changed lately. After entering into a recession, people started to question the real value of products, and gradually realize again the quality of Japanese products.
Japanese are brought up to believe that a trust relationship will be generated when you presume what your friend wants and provide more than s/he wanted. Therefore, retail stores ask manufacturers for higher quality than actually customers required.
Mr. Endo, the president of ENDO Co.,ltd., said, "Retail stores in Japan are very strict about quality control. They hate even a slightest defect or scratch on leather. Everything has to be perfect. Leather materials are carefully selected and cut so as not to cause any scratches." But the company also creates fashionable products utilizing natural wrinkles as characteristic features of leather.
Firmly processed and glazed reptile leather was previously popular but recently it is shifting to soft and matte leather. That would be because mature consumers are increasing, who can use high-quality products in casual way.
Various dyeing techniques also have improved along with diversity of fashion. For instance, python leather and crocodile leather get a unique texture of scales with a stereoscopic effect when dyes are wiped off from the surface after a double-dyed process.
Bovine leather is a material you can enjoy in multiple ways. "Aging" is one of them; it gets deep color and glossy texture by long-term use and care. Also, various embossing and coloring can change products to more trendy according to present fashion.
One of the charms Japanese product has is to offer a variety of goods you can enjoy for a long time.
ENDO handles licensed production of mainly handbags. It not only handles an integrated production from material selection to sewing for the client companies, but also proposes planning and designs of hot-selling products to retailers and wholesale dealers. Self-confidence and achievement cultivated by manufacturing salable goods in the mature Tokyo market developed the company's planning ability.
Tokyo has many leather wholesalers and tanners. It is possible to offer a quick response and small amount service by having materials manufacturers nearby. Also, being able to see actual products is a great advantage.
This year is the third time for ENDO to participate in APLF. Japan pavilion is set in the main venue this year, so the company expects more visitors to come.
Japanese animations and Manga are introduced to the world as "Cool Japan", and more and more children across the globe are growing up with Japanese Anime. Due to this trend, Japanese culture, which is quite unique in the world, gets more attention now. By considering this trend, ENDO exhibits wallets featuring traditional design at this APLF Hong Kong.
The traditional design being used this time, "Edo Komon", is a kind of designs for Kimono which was created to slip through the regulation when Edo Shogunate banned gorgeous designs to promote frugality. The pattern of the designs is so small that it looks like plain when seen from some distance. This is based on Japanese spirit of "putting effort into even the point of being invisible".
Mr.Toru Endo
President of ENDO CO., LTD
Japan Handbag Manufacturer Association
Appeal of Leather Goods
Reviving the Edo-period arts and crafts to the modern world
Senso-ji in Tokyo, one of the biggest tourist sites in Japan, has the history of 1,400 years. Also, more than 400 years has passed since Edo changed the name to Tokyo when becoming a capital city.
Many kinds of arts and crafts have existed in Tokyo since ancient times; for example, traditional metal works and lacquer wares which have been used at shrines and temples, or Japanese drums, fashion accessories such as Kanzashi (hairpins) and Obi-dome (pins for Kimono belt). One of those accessories, Netsuke, which is a clip used for hanging a small container from Obi (Kimono belt), are made of various materials like ivory, turtle shell and so on. And, "Inden", which is made of japanned deer skins, are still used as a wallet and a pouch now. Like this, many techniques of traditional arts and crafts have been passed on to the modern age.
Because of detailed work and artistic beauty, those Japanese crafts had been collected by art collectors in the world. Many of works were drained to overseas, but the traditional skills remained. Accessory manufacturers inheriting traditional skills are still in business around Asakusa area in Tokyo, and they are making crafts which meet a trend of a modern market. Some companies have been in business since Edo period.
The technique of "Inden" is now applied to the design of leather wallets and coin purses, and some other special skills are also applied to the metal piece and the edge finishing of modern products. Such traditional skills get more and more attention lately. Old technique comes back to life as a new sense by adjusting to the modern market.
Just like Ukiyoe influenced Art Nouveau, renewed Japanese traditional skills will be welcomed in the world market with a fresh image.
Men's wallets usually use sturdy materials like bovine leather, or cordovan, goatskin leather and bridle leather. By assembling these leather thinly and flatly, a wallet does not get bulky in your suit's pocket even if you put a lot of things in it. Women's wallets use softer leather like sheep skin leather or baby calf skin leather. And their form is roundish to add elegance.
We can now also find a product that has advantage of both men's and women's wallets.
It is said that the quality of leather products are determined by skiving. Skilled craftsmen skive leather by considering not only the thickness but the stiffness too. Soft parts need to be thicker and stiff parts need to be thinner. By doing this, the leather products can gain overall uniform texture, and keep stability even after using for a long time.
In small handy products like wallets, the users can easily find even a small defect such as a missing stitch.
The spirits and technique of traditional craftsmen who have been manufacturing detailed artworks are still alive in this modern world.
NOMURA SEISAKUSHO Co.,ltd., established in 1923 in Ueno, Tokyo, mainly manufactures OEM-based products. The company keeps samples which have been collected over several decades as a database, and the designers in client companies often use these samples for the inspiration of new products. Own brand "NOMURA" won "Best Leather Goods Collection", the highest award in the Wallet and Accessory category, at APLF in 2008.
The award-winning wallet, which featured the design of "Way of incense" for celebrating the anniversary of 1,000th birthday of "Tale of Genji", was highly evaluated as historical but new design.
The president, Mr. Nomura, hopes to spread to the world the appeal of Japanese leather products having a history of more than 400 years.
Mr. Toshikazu Nomura
President of NOMURA SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD
Japan Handbag Manufacturer Association
List of participants in Hong Kong APLF: Handbags / Leather Goods
Enhancing designing development ability with flexibility and sincerity
ENDO Co.,ltd (Leather Bags, Leather goods of Reptile skins and Cowhide)
ENDO has been respecting its concept "Material is an important part of design" since the company was established in 1949. ENDO develops materials according to designs, and designs products according to materials. The company keeps receiving a high evaluation as rather an ODM manufacturer than an OEM manufacturer.
ENDO started to deal in handbags of crocodile skin and ostrich skin in 1960. By adopting the skills of cowhide processing, the company developed innovative materials of "Oil Croco" and "Oil Python". The bags using these materials brought a new perspective to the leather industry that exclusively stuck with a formal style at the time.
The spirit of challenge of the company is inherited to the today's staff. The scope of product lines is growing wider, the company now deals with many materials from reptile skin to nylon. For APLF this year, ENDO created an extremely high-quality product featuring a dyed work of "Edo Komon" of Kazunari Hirose who is a licensed traditional craftsman, as another challenge to new material. "Edo Komon" is a name of pattern on Kimono that people wore in Edo period. ENDO created this exhibit by integrating technique of the company's sewing skill and leather processing. Please come and see ENDO's exquisite products.
Company name: ENDO Co.,ltd.
Address: 1-14-4 IMADO, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 110-0024, JAPAN
CEO: TORU ENDO (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-3875-1011
Fax: +81-3-3875-8827
Email: endo@tctv.ne.jp
URL: http://endotokyo.com/
Artistic leather goods with work of 'ultra-thin sweeping mount', 'cutting edge after fold', and 'edge polishing
KAWAHOUSHI HIROAN Co.,ltd. (Leather goods)
KAWAHOUSHI HIROAN is a men's leather goods manufacturer established in 1906. The company continues to use materials of water-based dyed calf, kipskin, goatskin from the grandfather's generation. Seeking for innovative technique while keeping traditions, it is a genuine craftsmen's company.
The company uses "Kirime (Finished for cutting, or Cut edge)" method on the finishing of the periphery for most of its products. "Kirime" is a finishing style of leather products whose edges are cut, and a polishing process called "Migaki" is applied to the cut end. "Hon-Migaki (Edge in rub)" is a process of polishing the cut ends by cloths, but this process is usually omitted in other factories since it needs a lot of work. "Beta-bari (Sweeping mount)" is to bond two leathers, each of which have different fiber directions, with the sweeping surfaces. It is regarded as a most luxury method because it gives flexibility and toughness to leather. Regarding specification of inside, it usually uses "Heri-kiri (Cutting edge after fold)" after "Heri-gaeshi (Bagged edge)" for cost saving. "Heri-kiri" is a method of making an edge width thin by cutting a surplus part of edge after folding.
KAWAHOUSHI HIROAN keeps a saying which came down from the first president: "Creation of tools is a power of excellent craftsman." An excellent craftsman is established with its perfect tools. With this saying in mind, all staff does their best work every day sharing the idea of "tradition-defending is continuous innovation".
The company aims to reduce outsourcing work to zero in the future so as to become a real manufacturer that handles every part of production. KAWAHOUSHI HIROAN is now working on a training of young craftsmen, hoping to be called "long-established company" in the future.
Company name: KAWAHOUSHI HIROAN Co.,ltd.
Address: 4-4-1 KURAMAE, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 111-0051, JAPAN
CEO: HIROSHI HASEGAWA (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-5833-7166
Fax: +81-3-5833-7106
Email: maroquinerie@hiroan.co.jp
URL: http://www.hiroan.co.jp/
A Bag brand of 'Handmade in TOKYO'
KIKUHIRO Co.,ltd. (Bags)
The founder of KIKUHIRO was a bag maker and a designer. He established the company in 1970 with an aspiration of making elegant and functional bags by his own hands.
The spirit of craftsmanship the company treasured has been handed down to the present. The craftsmen in KIKUHIRO are constantly pursuing a higher level of handmade skill where a machine production cannot reach.
KIKUHIRO won the award of the handbag category at Japan Leather Award 2008, and its products were exhibited in Louvre Museum in Paris, and also showcased in JAPAN QUALITY-LIFE PRODUCTS GALLERY held at Shanghai World Financial Center in 2009.
The company's main brand "Petrarca" debuted in autumn 2009 as "Factory bag brand" made in Tokyo. With its concept of "bags bringing feeling of luxury to people", the company makes its handmade products one by one with heart.
Company name: KIKUHIRO Co.,ltd.
Address: 1-21-2 HITOTSUYA, ADACHI-KU, TOKYO, 121-0075, JAPAN
CEO: KOTA KIKUCHI (Mr.)
TEL: +81-3-3859-3851
Fax: +81-3-3858-9356
Email: info@kikuhiro.com
URL: http://kikuhiro.com
Petrarca http://www.petrarca.jp/
Leather goods manufacturer with 50 years of business targets the world market
LA MODA YOSHIDA Co.,ltd. (Leather goods, Stationary, Interior goods)
LA MODA YOSHIDA is a leather goods manufacturing company. Since its launching in 1961, the company has been improving its technical and planning abilities for about 50 years. The company develops and produces purses, key cases, card cases and bags.
LA MODA YOSHIDA handles OEM products, and also planning and production of licensed brands.
Strength of the company is in its well-equipped system for continuous manufacturing in both know-how and facility. In addition to the knowledge of manufacturing, an ability to read the world trends and a sense of design that attracts more consumers are all necessary to meet customers' needs. That is the reason the company gathers a power from sales representatives and planning teams, domestic craftsmen and overseas factories' staff.
In 1987, LA MODA YOSHIDA started production in a factory in China. The company kept expanding its production scale, and it now became a Japan's major leather goods company with annual production of 1.5 million goods in 4,000 kinds. It will soon open a new factory in Quannan in China. Hoping to further expansion of production.
The company had dealt mainly with domestic customers in the past, now it is eyeing world markets. LA MODA YOSHIDA's spirit of "Japanese manufacturing" surely brings excellent leather goods to customers in the world.
Company name: LA MODA YOSHIDA Co.,ltd.
Address: 1-3-3 HIGASHI-UENO, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 110-0015, JAPAN
CEO: MASAMITU YOSHIDA (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-5816-1811
Fax: +81-3-5816-1823
Email: ueki@lmy.co.jp
URL: http://www.lmy.co.jp
In-house research & development team enable quick delivery of skilled craftsmen's products
NOMURA SEISAKUSHO Co.,ltd. (Leather goods, Stationary)
Since its establishment in 1923, NOMURA SEISAKUSHO has been producing exclusively leather purses and goods. Our knowledge of leather products covers most type of leather manufacturing. We are able to provide the most appropriate technique to each product and its concept when we handle OEM products.
We organize a task force composed of young staff and experienced workers for speedy product-development. The company built up the specialized sectors of each process such as cutting and skiving; it allows the company to accept small lot size orders from a unit of 60. NOMURA SEISAKUSHO has about 30 factories across the nation, and skilled craftsmen in these factories take charge of high-volume production. As for mass production, its subcontract factories in China and Vietnam conduct it. Now, the company established its capability of international business, including overseas procurement and a tripartite trade etc.
NOMURA SEISAKUSHO deals also in high-class materials such as crocodile skin, diamond python skin, lizard skin and so on. The company keeps improving its skills to upgrade the quality of products. "Japanese lacquer leather" is using the company's own original technique, and a purse featuring "Genji pattern" from this series will be displayed at this APLF.
At last year's APLF, the company received the best award at the goods category. NOMURA SEISAKUSHO keeps up good work to make delicate, hearty, long-loved products.
Company name: NOMURA SEISAKUSHO Co.,ltd.
Address: 1-28-10 HIGASHI-UENO, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 110-0015, JAPAN
CEO: TOSHIKAZU NOMURA (Mr.)
Person in charge: HATSUYO NOMURA (Ms.)
Tel: +81-3-3837-2314
Fax: +81-3-3837-1438
Email: puaa-kaukau-48h@kfy.biglobe.ne.jp
URL: http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~nomunomu-purse/
Many men, many minds. Many men, many colors
TAKAKOH Co.,ltd. (Bags)
We are a long-established women's bag manufacturing company having a history of 60 years. Our handbags and tote bags are made with carefully-screened materials and manufactured under a strict quality control.
TAKAKOH prepares multiple production lines for making various kinds of products in appropriate system for each; for example, small-lot leather bags are made in a domestic factory, leather woven bags are made in Vietnam, and a factory in China takes charge of quantity production.
We have done business as a planning and manufacturing company for a long time, now we established three own brands. "KABUKI" offers bags using quality materials and designed simply and casually with a Japanese motif. This brand never sells the same product repeatedly. Like Ninja, items appear and disappear quickly and unexpectedly. Colors and functions also change often so as to spearhead a fashion trend. On the one hand, "ZURRON" offers bags for lively women. In addition to functionality and usability, ZURRON's bags, in both casual and formal, have cute and feminine designs.
TAKAKOH's boutique is in Hiroo, a high-class residential area in Tokyo.
Company name: TAKAKOH Co.,ltd.
Address: 2-18-2 HIGASHI-NIHONBASHI, CHUO-KU, TOKYO, 103-0004, JAPAN
CEO: HARUO NAKAZAWA (Mr.)
Person in charge: EIJI IKEDA (Mr.) / MINORU ISHIKAWA (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-3862-3161
Fax: +81-3-3864-6080
Email: Takakoh2@basil.ocn.ne.jp
With me, with you
WITH Co.,ltd. (Handbags, Bags, Leather goods, Stationary)
"With me, with you" is the origin of the company name and also the motto of all the staff in our company.
WITH's concept is to provide products like these; products that people can always be with together, products which make the best use of the good of materials, and products that are functional and high-quality, plus loved by everyone.
People select a bag by the suitability to their outfit, and a purse is an everyday-use item. So, we create products which are longwearing with designs that you will never get tired of, and also able to be a part of your fashion.
WITH had mainly handled OEM products for domestic apparel companies.
From the long OEM experience, the company gained both techniques and know-how in production such as materials procurement, high-level sewing skill, a quick-delivery system, and an advanced quality-inspection system. By fully utilizing this manufacturing capability, WITH offers various kinds of goods of "Factory Brand WITH".
This is the first time WITH participates in Hong Kong APLF. We look forward to showcasing our lovable products of "Factory Brand WITH".
Company name: WITH Co.,ltd.
Address:
HEAD OFFICE: 5-3-35 YOSHI-CHO, SOKA-SHI, SAITAMA, 340-0017, JAPAN
SALES BRANCH: 5-15-5 INARI, SOKA-SHI, SAITAMA, 340-0003, JAPAN
CEO: JUNICHIRO TAKESHITA (Mr.)
Department in charge: MANUFACTURING DEPARTMENT
Person in charge: SATORU AKAZAWA (MR.)
Tel: +81-48-930-1866
Fax: +81-48-930-1951
Email: wiz@gol.com
URL: http://www2.gol.com/users/wiz/
Aiming to create a respectable product
YAMAMAN Co.,ltd. (Bags, Leather goods)
YAMAMAN (YMMN) is a leather goods manufacturer making purses, bags, stationeries.
Proper tanning and dyeing techniques according to a kind and age of the animals are necessary to process natural leather into leather material. As some say "leather is a living material", even a small factor like weather influences the condition of finished products. YMMN fully utilizes experienced craftsmen's skills and senses for manufacturing of leathers having a great variety of characteristic.
By matching leather and subsidiary materials with the most appropriate technique, YMMN creates the best products. Japanese craftsmen's high-level techniques are applied to many products; such as an "edge-finishing process" that requires advanced skills, and a special sewing-technique in a purse making etc.
YMMN is always working with customer satisfaction in mind, and trying to provide quality-centered delicate products.
The company also offers rare products like a leather shoehorn and a case of a Kleenex box. YMMN hopes to develop wider variety of products as much as possible in the future.
Company name: YAMAMAN Co.,ltd.
Address: 7-18-21 Shinozaki, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 133-0061, Japan
CEO: HARUHIKO YAMADA (Mr.)
Person in charge: FANNY, CHAN SIU CHING (Ms.)
Tel: +81-3-5664-3680
Fax: +81-3-5664-3690
Email: fanny@ymmn.jp
URL: http://www.ymmn.jp
Appeal of Women's Belts
Appeal of Women's Belts
We predict women's fashion trends for belt making
Japanese fashion has a wide range of styles from elegant fashion to Shibuya-Harajuku Street fashion that evolved in a unique way. In those styles, women's belts play an important supporting role as a spice for clothing.
The most important thing to a belt production is to create a good coordination with clothing, so belt designers always pay attention to the latest trend in Tokyo and new collections in the world. Predicting the rapid-changing Japanese market and reading consumers' attitudes are necessary to improve a sense of design and a planning ability so as to avoid making unsold goods.
Companies who could survive in Japan had been enhancing their creative capabilities even in cooperation with garment designers who were not familiar with coordinates with belts.
Western-style belt production in Japan was started about 130 years ago, at the period of the capital city changing from Edo to Tokyo, and the time of beginning of modernization. Then, companies that had made suspenders and garter belts started to manufacture artificial leather belts about 100 years ago. These companies became specialized and established as a belt company.
Although a mass production based on the division of labor is a mainstream production system in Asian countries, craftsmen in Japan take charge of the whole process by oneself. This method brings well-balanced better products because a craftsman can imagine the finished figure of the product as s/he is making it. However, it is said that it takes at least ten years to become a professional. So many skills are needed in belt making in Japan.
Even though belts are made in any countries, every country has characteristic in manufacturing. For example, since western paintings and sculptures are seen from a certain distance, they are superb in overall balance of designs. On the other hand, Japanese paintings and architecture are connected with living, so they are made carefully and precisely in view of usability. So is a belt-making. Quality inspections, for example, are strictly conducted thoroughly in Japan. An aesthetic sense, designing ability and such a detailed quality-control will be a strong merit in the global competition.
Domestic belts companies are grouped in Asakusa area in Tokyo. There are many tanners, metal processing craftsmen and leather wholesalers in this area; Asakusa is an ideal place for leather production. Many of Japanese unique cultures were generated in 250 years of peaceful Edo period, and even the common people enjoyed elegant gracious life at that time. Craftsmen of those luxury accessories and tools used in that era were concentrated in Asakusa, and the traditions are handed down to today's belt craftsmen.
Recently, designs using Ukiyoe and Chinese characters became popular in America and Europe. Maple Co.,ltd. will showcase three kinds of belts in this year's APLF; each features Japanese traditional motifs of "Japanese sword", "Chinese characters" and "Sharaku (an Ukiyoe artist)".
Participating companies in the Japan booth in this year's APLF have enthusiasm toward sales expansion. All companies are aiming to expand their businesses to Hong Kong and China by starting with APLF.
Mr. Mitsunobu Sugimoto
President of Maple Co.,ltd.
Tokyo Yoso-Zakka Industry Association
Appeal of Men's Belts
Best quality belt as a symbol of success
In Japan, there was once a custom that a company sent a belt to the employees to celebrate their promotions. Belts were a symbol of success like a Sumo wrestlers' loincloth or a championship belt in boxing.
Also, belts were a popular gift on Father's Day, because belts had a special meaning in Japan.
That's why department stores had requested belt manufactures to make the best quality belts with the best technique.
One-size-fits-all belts were also created so that gifts could fit to any body types of receivers.
Many Japanese belt manufactures entrust the production of low-priced belts to overseas production, however, high-end products are made by domestic skilled craftsmen. Made-in-Japan products are unique in having delicate and detailed work without making any scratches. In the case of products with edge turn, the overlapped parts are carefully thinned in both the face and back sides to eliminate the bumps. This way increases processes but the finished products are beautiful. Other processes such as burnishing on the edge are also carefully done. All manufacturing is done with consideration for gift senders and receivers.
On the day I visited SHIN-EI co., ltd, a belt, which was used for 20 years, arrived at the company for repair. Only skilled craftsmen can repair such a beloved belt comfortably fitting to the owner's body.
SHIN-EI also deals in crocodile skins and ostrich skins. Unlike shoe manufacturing, available parts of leather for belt-making are limited. Usually two belts can be made from one crocodile. A belt needs about 2.2 meters of length; making two belts uses 50% of the material, and other half becomes waste.
Expensive crocodile skins are usually jointed to make materials longer, and a certain amount of skill is needed to hide these joint lines.
There is a technique called "Musou" which uses crocodile skin in both face and back sides without showing joint lines. This requires experience in treating exotic leather and manufacturing know-how as well.
Also, there are elastic belts using rubber cores called "LIVE BELT". Your waist size varies by around 3cm between when you sit and when you stand, but this belt comfortably fits your waist even when you sit. This is appreciated by middle-aged and older people as a comfortable belt. This belt is also suitable for golfing slacks. The company is now aiming to capture a golfing market which is rising in Asian countries.
The president, Mr. Morikawa, expressed his willingness to participate to APLF by saying, "Some people say Japanese are good at manufacturing, but weak at planning. I think this exhibition in Hong Kong is a good opportunity to show our proposal-based products and to hear response from overseas buyers."
Mr. Masao Morikawa
President of Shin-ei Co.ltd.
Japanese Clothes Belt Industry Association
List of participants in Hong Kong APLF: Belts
FASHION INNOVATION by LEATHER GOODS, with LEATHER PRODUCER eternity
eternity Co.,ltd. (Bags, Belts, Leather goods)
"KILLSHOT" is the company's own brand offering popular products that are easy to coordinate with any outfits. The company adds "Vintage-look" on the products and the designs will never make you get bored.
The company's "vintage-look" adding process is applied not only to leather materials but metal parts too. These processes are rusting and baking, shrinking, grinding, "shot-finish", etc.
Such innovative products were generated from the company's bold challenges to new techniques in the last 50 years. Customers highly appreciate the company's fashionable, detailed products.
"eternity" focuses on quality and freshness of design, so the company's top priority is to provide salable products to the market earlier than others. The company owns factories both in the country and overseas to meet customers' needs.
"eternity" is grateful for work with leather products, and will keep up a challenge spirit to give satisfaction to our customers.
Company name: eternity Co.,ltd.
Address: 2-32-7 SENZOKU, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 111-0031, JAPAN
CEO: HIDEYUKI GOTO (Mr.)
Department in charge: TRADE DIV.
Person in charge: JEE SOK, PARK (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-3872-2351
Fax: +81-3-3872-2391
Email: info@go-eternity.com
park@go-eternity.com
URL: http://www.go-eternity.com
Well-selected genuine leather and well-developed skill
IWASAKI Co.,ltd. (Belts)
IWASAKI, founded in 1919, participates in APLF in this year of marking its 90th anniversary.
Since its establishment, the company has been consistently using genuine leather to create valuable products. IWASAKI imports highly-selected leather materials from more than ten different countries including Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Holland to use the best suited leather for each product. The company's concept in manufacturing is to take advantage of skills and delicacy that had been cultivated for the last 90 years to make products which ensure customer satisfaction.
Now, IWASAKI handles OEM products of world's famous brands at own factories in Nagano in Japan, Dongguan in China and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. All three factories have obtained many international certifications.
Since the company's Japanesque sense and delicate manufacturing techniques are recognized by the world brands, its production has been growing. About 660 operators in the three factories are making three million belts per year in total. Furthermore, in 2008, IWASAKI launched "Dongguan Iwasaki Leather Goods Company Limited" in Dongguan, China, so now the company can sell the products directly in China.
"Want to send Japanese sense to people in China!" From this message, IWASAKI started a brand "QOQORO".
Company name: IWASAKI Co.,ltd.
Address: 1-2-8 IMADO, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 111-0024, JAPAN
CEO: SHINTARO TAKAGI (Mr.)
Department in charge: OVERSEAS DEPARTMENT
Person in charge: TAKAHIRO HAYASHI (Mr.)
Tel: +81-3-3874-2136
Fax: +81-3-3874-2130
Email: overseas@iwasaki-belt.co.jp
URL: http://www.iwasaki-belt.co.jp/
We accept from orders of a unit of one
MAPLE Co.,ltd. (Belts, Handbags, Leather goods)
As a planning & manufacturing company, MAPLE hires designers of belts and handbags to make products responding to customers' needs. Sale destination is mostly first-rate wholesalers for department stores, specialty stores and OEM based business.
The company's own brand "Cattarin MARION", an American sport brand, mainly offers belts, and another brand "Quaintry" offers casual wear for young people.
MAPLE is willing to challenge a difficult design if it is for customers. The company has a lot of techniques such as pleating for soft leather, saddle-finishing on a belt making, folding with a rubber tape, and elegant finishing. The company accepts sample-makings with short lead time. It always aims to make a beautifully finished product.
MAPLE's technique and designing abilities are highly evaluated and won the award in belt category at JLIA Leather Award in 2007. MAPLE keeps up a good work with a dream and richness in mind.
The company will showcase belts featuring Japanese tradition, Kabuki and Sharaku, at APLF this year.
Company name: MAPLE Co.,ltd.
Address: #602, 2-5-12 NISHI-WASEDA, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO, 169-0051, JAPAN
CEO: MITSUNOBU SUGIMOTO (MR.)
Tel: +81-3-3200-3916
Fax: +81-3-3200-3917
Email: mitsunobu.sugimoto@maple-tokyo.com
Manufacturing of genuine products
SHIN-EI Co.,ltd. (Belts, Leather goods)
SHIN-EI is a manufacturing company of belts and leather goods. It employs a continuous production system and handles product planning, manufacturing, wholesale and sales. SHIN-EI has adhered to a conscientious attitude toward manufacturing since the company was established in 1948. Its delicate and precise work is recognizable just by looking at the products. The company retains many experienced specialists of reptile leather or other leathers, and that is a great merit the company gained from its history of 62 years.
Especially a processing of crocodile leather, one of the high-end materials, is the company's forte.
Its domestic production system allows the company to handle small-lot production with short lead time.
SHIN-EI keeps producing a wide range of products by integrating long experiences into new sense of designing.
The company's main brand, "KNOT", offers high-quality products carefully created with highly-selected materials in view of long-term use. Another brand, "MERCER", offers plenty of color variations under its concept of "Adult casual with playful mind".
The company exhibits these two brands of casual wear and formal wear in this year's APLF. Please come and see SHIN-EI's techniques and sophisticated designs.
Company name: SHIN-EI Co.,ltd.
Address: 5-54-4 ASAKUSA, TAITO-KU, TOKYO, 111-0032, JAPAN
CEO: MASAO MORIKAWA (Mr.)
Person in charge: NAOTO OGITA (Mr.)
Tel: 03-3874-6421
FAX: 03-3874-6424
Email: info@shinei-belt.com
URL: http://shinei-belt.com
Outlines of APLF
Outlines of APLF
APLF is the Asia's largest leather products trade show held in Hong Kong.
Japan leather and leather goods industries association will take part in the FASHION ACCESS as a Japan pavilion.
Date: March 29th - 31st, 2010. 9am - 6pm
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Japan pavilion: APLF FASHION ACCESS 2010 (FA2010)
Hall No: 3E
Booth No: 18/01-18/04
APLF - Fashion-Access2010 (FA2010)
Organized by APLF Ltd / UBM Asia Ltd.
March 29th - 31st 2010, September 2010 (TBA)
Asia's biggest international trade fair of leather material, bags, shoes, apparel, accessory, goods and leather-related services. 682 companies participated and 12,700 buyers visited in 2009.
http://www.fashionaccess.aplf.com/
APLF - Leather Material / Manufacturing Machine & Technology fair 2010
Organized by APLF Ltd / UBM Asia Ltd.
March 29th - 31st 2010
MM&T is the biggest international leather-related trade show. 1039 companies from 55 countries participated, and 16,900 buyers from 93 countries visited in 2009.
http://www.aplf.com/