What TOKUHATSU does

TOKUHATSU (特殊発條興業株式会社) is a Japanese precision metal component manufacturer founded in 1938 in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, and currently headquartered in Itami City. Since January 2006, it has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHK Spring Co., Ltd. (TSE: 5991), part of the Nikkatsu (ニッパツ) Group. The company employs 205 people as of March 2025 across two production sites — the Itami headquarters/main factory (with a press building completed in 2009) and the Sanda Factory (with clutch plate production added in 2020), plus a sales office in Hiroshima.

The company manufactures five core product lines: high-precision press products, microgroove products, flat springs, retaining rings, and washers. Its core technology is ultra-fine groove press processing, which creates micron-order surface textures on metal components to control oil-film retention, reduce friction, and provide anti-seizure performance for automotive powertrain and transmission applications. This is complemented by ultra-fine hole piercing (thickness-to-hole ratios as low as 0.4), in-house mold design and fabrication using 3D CAD, machining centers, and wire EDM, and proprietary compact line equipment for spring washer and wave spring production.

TOKUHATSU generates revenue primarily through B2B hardware sales to major automotive OEMs (Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Hino, Isuzu, Daihatsu) and Tier 1 suppliers (Denso, Toyota Boshoku, HiLex, Excedic, Panasonic), with secondary segments in the bolt/fastener, railway, and electrical/electronics industries. Pricing is quote-based with no public list, and the company emphasizes short lead-time, small-lot, and 2-week prototype delivery as differentiators. Distribution is direct via an in-house sales department (営業部), supplemented by participation in automotive technology exhibitions (人とくるまのテクノロジー展). Exports reach the USA, Taiwan, China, and Thailand, though the China manufacturing subsidiary was closed in 2025 and domestic Yokohama and Nagoya sales offices were consolidated into headquarters in 2023.

Name

TOKUHATSU

Legal name

特殊発條興業株式会社

Website

https://tokuhatsu.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TOKUHATSU (特殊発條興業株式会社) is a Japanese precision spring, washer, and microgroove metal component manufacturer serving automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Founded in 1938, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHK Spring (Nikkatsu Group), employing 205 people across two factories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Metal Components (Automotive Springs, Washers, and Press-formed Parts)

NAICS

Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing (332722), Machine Shops (332710)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

Keywords

• Precision spring manufacturing
• Automotive metal stamping
• Microgroove press processing
• Flat spring components
• Washer and retaining rings

Headquarters

HQ city

Itami

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Spring and Washer Components: Manufacture and sale of precision springs, washers, and stamped metal components for automotive and industrial applications. Revenue derived from long-term supply relationships with major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Products include functional springs, flat springs, retainer rings, and precision plates with micro-groove processing.
2. Prototype and Custom Development Services: Short-lead-time custom prototype development and small-lot production, with engineering consultation from initial requirements definition through to delivery. Supports new product development collaboration with customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TOKUHATSU manufactures and sells precision metal press components—specifically high-precision press products, microgroove products, flat springs, retaining rings, and washers—for automotive power transmission systems (clutch plates, differential washers, oil pump plates, flywheel plates) and industrial/railway/electronics applications. The company operates two production factories in Hyogo Prefecture (Itami and Sanda) plus a Hiroshima sales office, producing 5 billion+ springs and components annually using proprietary ultra-fine groove and ultra-fine hole press processing technology with full in-house mold design and manufacturing capability. core_offerings_detailed: TOKUHATSU manufactures and sells precision press-formed metal components—high-precision press products, microgroove products, flat springs, retaining rings, and washers—for automotive powertrain, transmission, and chassis applications as well as industrial, railway, and electrical equipment. Production is centered on proprietary ultra-fine groove press processing (micron-order surface textures for oil retention and anti-seizure) and ultra-fine hole press processing, supported by in-house mold design, 2-week prototype delivery, and ISO 9001/14001-certified manufacturing at Itami and Sanda factories, with a Hiroshima sales office serving the Chugoku/Shikoku region.

Product overview

TOKUHATSU (特殊発條興業株式会社) is a precision spring and metal component manufacturer belonging to the NHK Spring (ニッパツ) group. The company operates five core product lines: High-precision Press Products (高精度プレス製品) for small-hole and precision stamping, Microgroove Products (微細溝製品) featuring micron-order surface texture technology for friction and lubrication control, Flat Spring Products (薄板ばね製品) for automotive and industrial machinery, Retaining Rings (止め輪) for thrust prevention in transmissions and steering, and Washers (座金) including spring washers and wave spring washers (SPAK) for fastener anti-loosening. The product portfolio centers on precision press processing technology with in-house mold design and manufacturing capabilities, serving primarily the automotive industry with annual production of approximately 5 billion springs and components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-precision Press Products (高精度プレス製品) Precision press-formed metal components including small-hole punching, countersinking, and full-shear processing for automotive and industrial applications. Designed to enable cost reduction through die transformation from traditional machining and sintering methods, replacing subtractive processes with high-precision press-formed alternatives for sliding components across plate thickness direction.
• Microgroove Products (微細溝製品) Products featuring micron-order groove textures applied via proprietary press processing on metal surfaces, providing improved lubrication retention, friction characteristics, and seizure resistance. Applied to clutch plates and differential washers in automotive power transmission systems, achieved through ultra-fine groove press processing that creates 10µm-depth grooves replacing costly machining.
• Flat Spring Products (薄板ばね製品) Thin plate spring components including disc springs, flat springs, and clip nuts used in automotive transmissions, clutches, body panels, and electrical equipment for fastening, vibration absorption, and spring-force applications across automotive, industrial, and electronics sectors.
• Retaining Rings (止め輪) Concentric, C-type, and E-type retaining rings that prevent shafts and holes from slipping in the thrust direction, primarily used in automotive transmissions and steering systems for powertrain and chassis assembly.
• Washers (座金) Spring washers, disc spring washers, flat washers, and wave spring washers (SPAK) for preventing loosening of threaded fastener joints across automotive and industrial applications. Manufactured on proprietary compact and ring-machine integrated lines for spring washers and wave springs, supporting anti-loosening performance in bolts, screws, and industrial fastening.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy consumption reduced to approximately 1/8 by adjusting exhaust fan rotation speed at Itami factory — recognized with Nikkatsu Group CO₂ Reduction Award in 2021.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NHK (Nippon Spring Co., Ltd.) / 日本発条株式会社coreOthers · 1 January 2006Tokuhatsu became a subsidiary of NHK (Nikkatsu Group) in January 2006 when all shares were transferred from Daido Steel to NHK. As a member of the Nikkatsu Group, Tokuhatsu benefits from group procurement, quality systems, welfare programs (NHK Health Insurance Association), and participates in group exhibitions. NHK is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Smalley Steel Ring Company: US-based manufacturer of wave springs, retaining rings, and constant-section rings — directly comparable product category to Tokuhatsu's wave spring washers (SPAK) and retaining rings. Both compete in precision stamped/wound ring components for power transmission and fastening applications.
• Hokuto Spring Co., Ltd. Japanese automotive spring specialist producing hot-coil springs, stabilizers, and precision springs for OEMs. Comparable customer base and focus on safety-critical automotive suspension and drivetrain spring components.
• Scherdel GmbH: German family-owned automotive spring and stamped component manufacturer with global production footprint. Comparable in precision stamped metal components and automotive customer base, especially European OEMs.
• Chuo Spring Co., Ltd. Japanese precision spring manufacturer serving automotive and industrial applications with hot-formed and cold-formed springs, wire products, and precision components. Most directly comparable domestic peer for automotive spring and wire-processed components.
• Rotor Clip Company, Inc. US-based global manufacturer of retaining rings, snap rings, and wave springs. Directly comparable product category for Tokuhatsu's retaining ring (止め輪) line serving automotive transmission and steering applications.

Broad incumbents

• Associated Spring (Barnes Group Inc.): Global precision spring and stampings manufacturer (part of Barnes Group) producing compression springs, wave springs, and flat springs across automotive, industrial, and aerospace markets. Comparable product portfolio with broader geographic and end-market reach.
• Daido Steel Co., Ltd. Former parent company (until 2006) and current major Japanese specialty steel producer supplying automotive and industrial markets. Overlap in automotive component supply and material science, but broader focus on raw materials and high-alloy steels.
• Lesjöfors AB: Swedish industrial spring manufacturer with global operations producing flat springs, wave springs, and retaining rings across automotive and industrial segments. Comparable product categories with European OEM customer base.
• Mubea Group: German global automotive supplier specializing in springs, stabilizer bars, and precision components with broad product portfolio across chassis, drivetrain, and body applications. Larger incumbent with similar precision component technology serving global OEMs.
• NHK Spring Co., Ltd. Parent company and Japan's largest automotive spring manufacturer (TSE: 5991). Direct overlap in automotive springs, precision press products, and flat springs, but at substantially greater scale and broader product portfolio including suspension springs, seat components, and HDD suspensions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/tokuhatsu_1982

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 TOKUHATSU