What KONGO does

KONGO Co., Ltd. (金剛株式会社) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer founded in 1947 in Kumamoto and currently led by third-generation president Tanaka Toshihiko. The company designs, manufactures, and installs storage and shelving systems for offices, warehouses, libraries, museums, archives, fire stations, and cultural facilities, both domestically in Japan and on selected export projects across Asia-Pacific (notably Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan). Its core technical competence is mobile shelving engineering — including round-handle (TKZ, KZ, AKZ), anchor-less (TLZ), electric (HPZS, AEX), and the 2025-launched rail-less (RLS) systems — combined with proprietary seismic-isolation technology (Japan's first in 1993), sloped-slide anti-toppling shelves, fire-resistant storage doors, and specialized preservation interiors such as the KONGO Art Wall humidity-regulating system and AirTune gas-adsorbing sheets. The company holds JIS S 1039, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and UL-standard certifications and has received multiple Japan Invention Association awards and Good Design Gold Awards.

The company's go-to-market operates through a nationwide Japan branch network providing turnkey responsibility construction — design consultation, custom engineering, manufacturing, delivery, assembly, and installation — for project-based B2B and B2G contracts. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, with each system configured to customer dimensions, load capacities, seismic requirements, and use-case (library, museum, warehouse, fire station). KONGO supplements its core B2B revenue with direct-to-consumer e-commerce through two sub-brands: STEEF (iron furniture at mysteef.jp) and KAKEHI (preservation and display supplies at shop.kongo-corp.co.jp). FY2025 (September fiscal year end) revenue was disclosed at ¥9.67 billion. The group includes wholly owned Kongo Sokki (measurement instruments), Taniewaki Building (real estate/building management), and Hotel TAU Kumamoto as adjacent operating entities.

Recent strategic emphasis has been on new product launches extending the company beyond physical shelving into digital and human-centric applications: TORIE personal-storage mobile shelving for Activity-Based Working (2024), Smart Guide multilingual voice-guidance system for museums (2024), and a digital archive platform (2024). AMR/AGV-compatible rack designs position the company for warehouse automation adjacencies, while ongoing international project wins in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan demonstrate cross-border demand for Japanese-engineered cultural facility storage.

Name

KONGO

Legal name

Kongo Co., Ltd.

Website

https://www.kongo-corp.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

KONGO is a manufacturing company that provides office and cultural facility-related equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Storage and Shelving Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing (337215), Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing (33721)

SIC

Partitions, Shelvg, Lockers, & Office & Store Fixtures (2540), Office Furniture (2520)

akta.pro primary industry

Library & Media Center Furniture & Equipment (Shelving, Carts, Media Hardware) (EDAEAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Office, Paper & Media Storage Systems (Non-Construction) (HSAFAHAD), Education & Research Archives Storage (Universities, Libraries, Labs) (TLALALAH)

Keywords

• Mobile shelving systems
• Steel storage equipment
• Library storage solutions
• Museum storage systems
• Seismic isolation shelving

Headquarters

HQ city

Kumamoto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Storage and Shelving Equipment Sales: Manufacturing and direct sales of mobile shelving, steel shelving, library furniture, museum storage equipment, and related accessories to B2B customers (government institutions, educational facilities, cultural institutions, warehouses, offices). Products are sold with installation and construction services. Revenue is generated through project-based orders with custom specifications (size, load capacity, number of tiers). Pricing is quote-based. Annual revenue: 96億7千万円 (2025年9月決算).
2. Professional Installation and Construction Services: Full turnkey service including delivery, assembly, installation, and construction of shelving systems nationwide through the company's branch network. Also handles existing shelving relocation, disassembly, and disposal.
3. E-commerce (STEEF and KAKEHI Online Shops): Direct-to-consumer online sales of iron furniture brand STEEF (mysteef.jp) and preservation/display supplies KAKEHI (shop.kongo-corp.co.jp). Both operate as separate branded e-commerce storefronts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KONGO (金剛株式会社) manufactures and installs mobile shelving systems, fixed steel shelving, library furniture, and museum/archival storage equipment. The company provides a turnkey service from initial design through manufacturing, on-site installation, and after-sales support, with proprietary seismic isolation technology adopted for earthquake-prone Japanese facilities. Customers are primarily libraries, museums, archives, warehouses, schools, and corporate offices.

Product overview

KONGO is a Japanese shelving and storage equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of mobile shelving systems, steel shelving, library furniture, storage equipment, and exhibition fixtures. The core product lines include: mobile shelving (移動棚) with various drive mechanisms including manual round-handle (TKZ/KZ/AKZ), anchor-less (TLZ/CS), electric (HPZS/AEX), and rail-less (RLS) types; steel shelving (スチール棚) including lightweight racks (KU), medium-duty shelving (BL/BLL/BLM/BLH/KMH), and heavy-duty pallet racking (HR); library and cultural facility equipment (図書館書架・家具) featuring open shelving (Libra Series), seismic isolation shelving (MLMA/MLSA), and specialty items like the wooden Tsumikibako boxes; storage equipment (収蔵庫設備) for museums including interior finishing (KAW Art Wall), fire-resistant doors (SZT), humidity control (AirTune Sheet), and preservation materials; and exhibition fixtures (展示什器) with display cases and related equipment. The company also offers sub-brands STEEF (iron furniture) and KAKEHI (preservation products), plus specialized solutions for fire stations, logistics, and industrial applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STEEF: Original iron furniture brand of KONGO; an online shop for iron furniture products
• KAKEHI (筧)

Products and services

• Mobile Shelving Systems High-density movable (manual or electric) shelving systems that roll on rails or floor tracks to compress aisle space, dramatically increasing storage capacity per square meter. Used by libraries, museums, archives, warehouses, and offices to store books, artifacts, files, and inventory. Seismic isolation is integrated as a core safety feature.
• Fixed Steel Shelving Static steel shelving units for offices, warehouses, schools, and storage rooms. Designed for durability, fire resistance, and load-bearing capacity, with options for seismic reinforcement.
• Library Furniture and Reading-Room Equipment Specialized library furniture including reading tables, carrels, and counter systems designed for public and academic libraries. Produced as part of KONGO's turnkey library fit-out offering.
• Museum and Archival Storage Equipment Compactus-style mobile shelving and fixed cabinets for the storage of museum artifacts, archival documents, and special collections. Integrated with AirTune humidity-control technology to support preservation of sensitive materials.
• STEEF Consumer Brand Consumer-facing brand extending KONGO's shelving and storage expertise to individual customers via e-commerce; product specifics are not detailed in the source material.
• KAKEHI Consumer Brand Consumer-facing brand under the KONGO group; specific product details are not detailed in the source material.
• Turnkey Storage-Solution Engineering and Installation Service End-to-end service covering site survey, design, manufacturing, on-site installation, and after-sales support for KONGO's storage systems. Sold as a combined deliverable with the company's shelving products to institutional and corporate customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mobile shelving doubles storage capacity compared to fixed shelving in the same floor area
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• 公益社団法人日本ロジスティクスシステム協会 (Japan Logistics System Association)minorOthersKONGO is a member of this logistics systems association, participating in industry activities and standards development for storage and logistics equipment.
• (一社)日本オフィス家具協会 (Japan Office Furniture Association)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Japan Office Furniture Association, participating in industry activities and standards for office storage and furniture equipment.
• 日本セーフ・ファニチュア協同組合連合会 (Japan Safe Furniture Federation)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Japan Safe Furniture Federation, which sets standards for safe storage equipment including fire-resistant storage doors.
• グリーン購入ネットワーク (Green Purchase Network)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Green Purchase Network, demonstrating commitment to environmentally responsible procurement and sustainability.
• 公益社団法人日本博物館協会 (Japan Museum Association)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Japan Museum Association, supporting cultural facility storage and exhibition equipment standards.
• (一社)日本物流システム機器協会 (Japan Material Handling System Equipment Association)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Japan Material Handling System Equipment Association, participating in industry standards for storage and logistics equipment.
• (一社)文化財保存修復学会 (Cultural Property Conservation and Restoration Society)minorOthersKONGO is a member of the Cultural Property Conservation and Restoration Society and regularly exhibits at their annual conferences to connect with museum and cultural facility professionals.
• 株式会社コンゴー測器 (Kongosokki Co., Ltd.)minorOthersGroup company of KONGO. Established in 1979 as part of the KONGO Group, providing measurement instruments.
• 株式会社谷脇ビル (Taniewaki Building Co., Ltd.)minorOthersGroup company of KONGO. Established in 1973 as KONGO Building (later renamed). Operates real estate and building management.
• HOTEL TAU, KUMAMOTOminorOthersHotel operated as part of the KONGO Group in Kumamoto, representing the group's diversification beyond core storage business.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spacesaver Corporation: US-based manufacturer of high-density mobile shelving and storage systems for libraries, museums, offices, and healthcare. Most direct Western peer to KONGO in mobile shelving for cultural and institutional facilities, with overlapping product lines and target customers.
• Montel Inc. Canadian/French manufacturer of mobile shelving systems, lockers, and high-density storage for libraries, offices, museums, and industrial settings. Directly comparable on mobile shelving product category and library/cultural-facility customer segment.
• Hänel GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of rotating carousels, vertical lift modules, and industrial storage systems serving warehousing and library customers. Comparable to KONGO in delivering high-density storage with automation integration.
• Itoki Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of office furniture, library equipment, and storage systems. Most direct domestic competitor to KONGO in Japanese institutional and office storage markets with similar B2B sales motion.
• Lista AG: Swiss manufacturer of workshop storage, industrial shelving, and high-density cabinet systems. Comparable to KONGO's steel shelving and heavy-duty storage product lines for industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• Kardex Group: Swiss-listed global provider of automated storage, retrieval, and material-handling solutions. Broader and more international than KONGO, but overlaps on high-density storage for industrial and institutional customers.
• Okamura Corporation: Japanese office furniture and storage systems manufacturer serving corporate, education, and public-sector customers. Competes with KONGO in office furniture/storage and library equipment segments in Japan.
• Kokuyo Co., Ltd. Japanese office furniture and stationery major with a public-sector and education customer base. Overlaps with KONGO in institutional furniture and storage, though broader and more diversified across furniture categories.

Regional players

• Daifuku Co., Ltd. Japanese global leader in material handling and warehouse automation. Competes with KONGO in warehouse storage solutions, particularly as Daifuku expands integrated automation offerings that include compatible racking.
• Murata Machinery, Ltd. (Muratec): Japanese manufacturer of logistics systems, automated storage, and cleanroom equipment. Competes with KONGO in warehouse storage and is increasingly adjacent through AMR/AGV-integrated storage solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KONGOofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KongoChannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/kongocorp1947

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KONGO