What YONE does

YONE Corporation (ヨネ株式会社) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer of specialized firefighting, rescue exploration, and fluid transfer equipment, founded in 1941 in Kyoto as a copper alloy foundry and incorporated under its current name in 1997. The company operates four product divisions: (1) firefighting equipment including nozzles, monitors (from 500 to 40,000 L/min capacity), Class A foam systems, and fire blankets; (2) industrial ball valves developed since 1955, including ongoing OEM supply to JR Shinkansen toilet sanitary systems since 1963 and to the New Tokyo International Airport jet fuel pipeline since 1978; (3) rescue and exploration equipment centered on the PROEYE series of thermal imaging, sonar, and underwater cameras first developed in 1993; and (4) community disaster prevention products including standpipes, hose reels, and lightweight firefighting tools for volunteer fire corps (消防団). Its core technology centers on precision mechanical engineering (proprietary J-1 hose coupling, nozzle hydraulics, ball valve sealing) and specialized imaging systems for low-visibility rescue operations. Several products are co-developed with municipal fire departments, notably the CAN compartment suppression nozzle with Uruma City Fire Department (2025) and the COBRA hydraulic ventilation nozzle with Sapporo Fire Department (2021).

YONE's business model is B2B direct sales to fire departments, municipal governments, petrochemical and industrial customers, and OEM integration into firefighting vehicles and infrastructure. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled via direct inquiry. The company pursues what it calls a 'global niche No.1' strategy, targeting specialized segments (Class A foam, specialized nozzles, rescue cameras, ball valves for railway and jet fuel systems) where it can hold No.1 or near-No.1 positions domestically and internationally rather than competing in mass-market commodity markets. International distribution is conducted through trade partnerships established with TFT Corporation (USA) and HYPRO Corporation (USA) in 1999, and via participation in the Interschutz international fire exhibition since 2000. The company maintains two offices (Kyoto headquarters and factory; Tokyo branch) and is family-controlled, with Toyohiko Yone as Chairman and Tetsuzo Yone as President since 2017. Capital is 60 million yen (raised in 2014), and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

YONE

Legal name

YONE株式会社

Website

https://yone-co.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Short description

YONE Corporation (ヨネ株式会社) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer, founded in 1941 in Kyoto, specializing in firefighting equipment (nozzles, foam systems, fire blankets), industrial ball valves, and rescue exploration cameras (PROEYE series) for fire departments, municipal governments, and industrial customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sensors & Instrumentation Electronics Manufacturing Services (Transmitters, analyzers, industrial sensors) (IMAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI), Shock, Vibration & Tilt Monitoring Devices (Impact Indicators, Data Loggers) (IMALAFAJ)

Keywords

• Firefighting equipment
• Rescue exploration cameras
• Industrial ball valves
• Class A foam systems
• Fire vehicle components

Headquarters

HQ city

Kyoto-shi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

YONE Corporation manufactures specialized firefighting equipment, rescue exploration imaging systems, and industrial ball valves. Its portfolio includes firefighting nozzles and monitors (up to 40,000 L/min), the PROEYE series of thermal imaging and sonar rescue cameras, Class A foam fire suppression systems, EV/battery fire blankets, and OEM ball valves for fire vehicles, trains, and infrastructure. The company focuses exclusively on niche segments where it holds No.1 or near-No.1 positions domestically and internationally.

Product overview

YONE Corporation is a Japanese firefighting and rescue equipment manufacturer founded in 1941 in Kyoto, operating as a niche-focused company targeting global niche No.1 positions in specialized markets. The company's product portfolio is organized into four main divisions: (1) Firefighting Equipment featuring nozzles, monitors, and Class A foam systems; (2) Ball Valves for industrial and fire vehicle applications; (3) Rescue and Exploration Equipment centered on the PROEYE series of thermal imaging and sonar cameras; and (4) Community Disaster Prevention Products. The flagship offerings include the PROEYE rescue camera series with thermal imaging (951-S·IR model), comprehensive nozzle lines from hand nozzles to 40,000 L/min capacity monitors, Class A foam proportioning systems, fire blankets designed for EV battery fires, and specialty products like the jointly-developed CAN compartment suppression nozzle and COBRA hydraulic ventilation nozzle. YONE positions itself in niche segments where it aims for market-leading positions rather than mass-market competition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PROEYE: 救助・探索機器製品ライン。画像探索カメラ、ソールプラープラスを含む。
• PROEYE 951-S IR
• PROEYE 751-SNR
• PROEYE 751-DXS
• PROEYE 991-NH
• G-フォーストリガーノズル
• ボアテックスノズル
• 区画制圧ノズル CAN
• 水力換気ノズル COBRA（コブラ）
• ファイヤーブランケット
• 低反動泡ノゼル
• スーパーミスト& CAFS 武蔵

Quantifiable outcome

• Class A foam reduces water usage compared to water-only suppression — water droplets with foam have greater surface area for faster heat absorption; only ~10% of water sticks to surfaces vs. most of the foam solution retained on wall surfaces, reducing water damage
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• うるま市消防本部 (Uruma City Fire Department)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint development partnership resulting in the 区画制圧ノズル CAN (Compartment Suppression Nozzle CAN) specifically designed for modern high-airtightness, high-insulation residential fires. The nozzle was donated by YONE to the fire department. Uruma City Fire Department provided field guidance and operational requirements that shaped the product design.
• 札幌市消防局 (Sapporo Fire Department)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborative development of the COBRA (WVN-50) water-powered ventilation nozzle. Sapporo Fire Department provided operational requirements for safer, more efficient smoke/heat removal in building fires. Product enables PPV-style ventilation with built-in suppression capability.
• TFT Corporation (米国TFT社)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1999American technology and sales partnership established in 1999 (Heisei 11) for technology and sales collaboration. TFT Corporation (TFT, USA) is a firefighting equipment manufacturer.
• HYPRO Corporation (米国HYPRO社)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1999American technology and sales partnership established in 1999 (Heisei 11) for technology and sales collaboration. HYPRO Corporation (HYPRO, USA) manufactures pumps and fluid handling equipment.
• 株ソゴー (Sogo Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Sogo Co., Ltd. for production and sales of MC (Multi-Connect) series hose fittings. YONE develops the products; Sogo produces and distributes them under the partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Akron Brass: Major U.S. manufacturer of firefighting nozzles, monitors, valves, and foam systems. Highly comparable to YONE's fire equipment division in product offering (nozzles, monitors, foam proportioners) and customer base (municipal and industrial fire services).
• Elkhart Brass: U.S. manufacturer specializing in firefighting nozzles, monitors, and valves for municipal and industrial fire suppression. Directly comparable to YONE in core firefighting hardware, with overlapping OEM relationships to fire vehicle builders.
• Task Force Tips (TFT): U.S.-based manufacturer of firefighting nozzles, monitors, and foam proportioners — directly comparable product portfolio to YONE's nozzle/monitor/Class A foam lines. TFT is also a long-standing YONE technology and sales partner (since 1999), making it both a competitor in overlapping product categories and a strategic ally in different geographies.
• Angus Fire: UK-based manufacturer of firefighting foam, nozzles, and specialized fire suppression equipment. Comparable to YONE in niche foam and nozzle focus, including Class A foam formulations and proportioning systems for industrial and municipal fire services.
• KITZ Corporation: Japanese industrial valve manufacturer (ball valves, butterfly valves, etc.) with comparable industrial ball valve product line to YONE's ball valve business for fire vehicles, lorries, and industrial fluid handling. Both are Japanese-headquartered industrial valve specialists serving overlapping industrial customer segments.

Broad incumbents

• Rosenbauer International: Global leader in firefighting vehicles and integrated fire equipment, serving the same municipal fire department customers as YONE but at much larger scale and with broader product portfolios. Overlaps with YONE in monitors, nozzles, and foam systems supplied to fire vehicles.
• Dräger: German safety and rescue equipment manufacturer offering thermal imaging cameras, breathing protection, and rescue equipment. Comparable to YONE's PROEYE rescue camera line in serving firefighter and emergency responder markets, though with a much broader safety portfolio.
• Teledyne FLIR: Global leader in thermal imaging cameras and sensor systems, including fire/rescue thermal imaging applications. Comparable to YONE's PROEYE 951-S IR thermal imaging camera line in technology and end users (fire/rescue services), though at much larger scale and broader market scope.
• MAGIRUS (CNH Industrial): European manufacturer of firefighting vehicles, monitors, and equipment with deep fire department relationships. Comparable to YONE in serving municipal fire services and supplying nozzle/monitor equipment, though at a much larger and broader scale than YONE's niche focus.
• MSA Safety: Global safety equipment manufacturer including thermal imaging cameras (Fire Service Thermal Imaging Cameras) for fire/rescue applications. Comparable to YONE's PROEYE product line in technology category and end-user segment, though MSA serves a far broader safety equipment market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yone_kyoto
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@YONE
• Instagraminstagram.com/yone_kyoto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 YONE