Nomura Trading

What Nomura Trading does

Nomura Trading Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese general trading company founded in 1917, headquartered in Tokyo with a major Osaka office and a network of 50+ subsidiaries, branch offices, and representative offices spanning Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, the United States, Turkey, and Taiwan. The company operates through three business units: Food (livestock, aquatic products, and wellness/agricultural materials), Life/Consumer (apparel and uniforms), and Industry (materials and machinery). Its original and still-active natural rubber trading business remains a core competency, complemented by an exclusive Japanese distributorship for Haitian International injection molding machines (the world's #1 manufacturer with 30,000+ annual units) and authorized distribution of Huafon TPU and Hetron TPEE elastomers.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-fee trading margins on imports and exports, distribution markups on capital equipment and specialty chemicals, and hardware sales from manufacturing subsidiaries. The company sells to a diversified enterprise customer base including Japanese automotive parts manufacturers, electronics producers, tire manufacturers, tape and adhesive makers, medical product companies, and footwear producers. Distribution channels include direct B2B field sales at Tokyo and Osaka headquarters, authorized distributor relationships with Haitian and Chinese elastomer producers, a multi-provider insurance agency (Nomura Ivy), and wholly-owned or JV manufacturing operations in Vietnam (Nomura Fotranco and Nomura Thanh Hoa Garment for uniforms; 3+ million units per year) and Indonesia (PT Sekar Seinan Food, a 51%-owned JV targeting 150 million fish sausage sticks annually).

The company's go-to-market combines traditional direct sales with active participation in industry exhibitions (Plastics Japan, Fi Asia Thailand, High-Functional Plastics Expo) and a multilingual digital presence. Proprietary technology is limited; value is created through long-cycle supply relationships, distribution rights to world-leading manufacturers, technical service infrastructure (Niigata Kikai partnership for Haitian machines), and quality/sustainability certifications including ISO9001 and MSC Chain of Custody. Medium-term management plans (Step Up 2023, Jump Up 2026, and the current Road to Prestige 2030) demonstrate disciplined strategic planning with ongoing geographic and vertical expansion, particularly into Southeast Asian consumer markets.

Name

Nomura Trading

Legal name

野村貿易株式会社 (Nomura Trading Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://nomuratrading.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Nomura Trading is a 100+ year-old Japanese general trading company that imports, exports, and distributes natural rubber, elastomers, Haitian injection molding machines, food products, and apparel to B2B enterprise customers across Japan, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Trading & Distribution

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (42447)

SIC

Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Import/Export & Cross-Border Food Commodity Trading (AFAIAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAG), Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Wholesale (AFAIAHAF)

Keywords

• General trading company
• Injection molding machines
• Natural rubber trading
• Industrial materials distribution
• Import export services

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Trading (Import/Export): Traditional trading company model importing and exporting a wide range of products including food, apparel, machinery, chemicals, and industrial materials. Products sourced globally and distributed within Japan and to international markets.
2. Distribution/Agency (Haitian Injection Molding Machines): Exclusive Japanese distributor for Haitian International injection molding machines (MARS Ⅴ, JUPITER Ⅴ, Zhafir VENUS Ⅴ, ZERES Ⅴ series). Revenue generated from mark-up on imported machines plus service and support.
3. Distribution/Agency (Natural Rubber & Elastomers): Distribution of natural rubber, TPU, and TPEE elastomers as authorized distributor for overseas manufacturers. Maintains domestic stock in Japan for small-lot sales.
4. Insurance Agency (Nomura Ivy): Nomura Ivy Co., Ltd., a 100% subsidiary, operates as a damage insurance agency representing Tokyo Marine, AIG, Sompo Japan, and Rakuten Insurance.
5. Manufacturing (Subsidiaries): Revenue from manufacturing operations through subsidiaries including Nomura Fotranco (uniform production, Vietnam), Nomura Thanh Hoa Garment (uniform production, Vietnam), and PT Sekar Seinan Food (fish sausage manufacturing, Indonesia).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nomura Trading operates as a Japanese general trading company (sogo shosha) importing and exporting food products, apparel/textiles, natural rubber, elastomers, injection molding machines, and other industrial materials. It acts as the exclusive Japanese distributor for Haitian International injection molding machines and for Huafon TPU and Hetron TPEE elastomers, while also running proprietary manufacturing subsidiaries for uniforms in Vietnam and fish sausage in Indonesia. Its wholly-owned Nomura Ivy subsidiary operates as a multi-provider insurance agency.

Product overview

Nomura Trading operates as a general trading company with three main business divisions: Food, Life (Consumer Products), and Industry. The Industry division encompasses materials (chemicals, elastomers, natural rubber) and machinery (injection molding machines). Key product offerings include HAITIAN and Zhafir brand injection molding machines (MARS V, JUPITER V, VENUS V, ZERES V series) for the automotive, electronics, and manufacturing sectors; elastomer materials (Huafon TPU, HetronFlex TPE-E); and natural rubber products (visually graded, technically specified, latex, and specialty polymers). The company serves industrial, food, apparel, and healthcare markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 野村貿易エラストマー (Nomura Trading Elastomer): Elastomer products including TPU and TPEE materials from Huafon TPU and Hetron Elastomer, distributed as official agent for over 40 years.
• 天然ゴム特設サイト (Natural Rubber Special Site)
• 海天 (HAITIAN)

Products and services

• HAITIAN MARS V Series Injection Molding Machine Energy-saving servo toggle-type injection molding machine with 5th generation technology and clamping force from 60t to 3300t, distributed by Nomura Trading as the exclusive Japanese agent for Haitian International.
• HAITIAN JUPITER V Series Injection Molding Machine Energy-saving servo 2-platen injection molding machine with Go Factory 2.0 digital management software and clamping force from 450t to 8800t, distributed by Nomura Trading as the exclusive Japanese agent for Haitian International.
• Zhafir VENUS V Series All-Electric Injection Molding Machine All-electric injection molding machine with pressure sensing system, Nimblex anti-jamming EMC and anti-drift technology, clamping force 40t to 1380t, distributed by Nomura Trading.
• Zhafir ZERES V Series Electric Injection Molding Machine Electric injection molding machine with hydraulic core and stack mold system compatibility, clamping force 40t to 1380t, distributed by Nomura Trading.
• Huafon TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer) Polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer offering abrasion resistance, impact resistance, low-temperature flexibility, and flex fatigue resistance for industrial applications, distributed by Nomura Trading.
• HetronFlex TPE-E (Polyester-based Elastomer) Polyester-based elastomer (TPEE) providing mechanical properties and thermal resistance for industrial applications, distributed by Nomura Trading.
• Natural Rubber - Visually Graded (RSS, ADS, TPC) Visually graded natural rubber including Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS1, RSS3), Air Dried Sheet (ADS), and Thick Pale Crepe (TPC-1X) for tires, tape adhesives, anti-vibration rubber, footwear soles, and medical applications.
• Natural Rubber - Technically Specified (SVR) Technically specified natural rubber (SVR-L, SVR-3L, SVR-CV60) sourced primarily from Vietnam and analyzed for consistent quality, used in tape adhesives, shoe soles, and solid rubber products.
• Natural Rubber Latex (HA / LA Grades) Natural rubber concentrate latex including DYNATHAI-HA (High Ammonia) and DYNATHAI-LA (Low Ammonia) grades from Muang Mai Guthrie (Thailand), used in tape adhesives, gloves, tire cords, and film products.
• Specialty Polymers (MEGAPOLY 30, SUPERPOLY 20, PROPOLY 80) Specialty natural rubber compounds from Green HPSP (Malaysia): MEGAPOLY 30 (NR grafted with MMA), SUPERPOLY 20 (20% vulcanized rubber compound), and PROPOLY 80 (80% vulcanized rubber compound) for use as processing aids and reinforcing agents.
• Corporate Insurance Agency Services (Nomura Ivy) Property, casualty, and employee benefit insurance products distributed through wholly-owned Nomura Ivy Co., Ltd., representing Tokyo Marine, AIG, Sompo Japan, and Rakuten Insurance as a multi-provider agency. ISO9001:2015 certified.

Quantifiable outcome

• Haitian injection molding machines achieve 20-80% electricity savings compared to standard hydraulic machines
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 新潟機械株式会社 (Niigata Kikai Co., Ltd.)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Technical service partner for Haitian injection molding machines in Japan since 2024. Service operations transferred to Niigata Kikai HT Service Department at Nagoya Branch. Provides maintenance, spare parts, test shots, and technical support. Houses MA3800V machine for demonstrations.
• Huafon TPU (浙江华峰热塑性聚氨酯有限公司)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 November 2018Authorized Japanese distributor for Huafon TPU (Zhejiang Huafon Thermoplastic Polyurethane Co., Ltd.) polyurethane-based elastomer (TPU) products. Maintains domestic stock for small-lot sales. Partnership established November 2018 with dedicated elastomer microsite.
• Hetron Elastomer (Jiangyin Hetron Elastomer New Material Technology Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 November 2018Authorized Japanese distributor for Hetron polyester-based elastomer (TPEE) products under the HetroFlex® brand. Partnership established November 2018 alongside Huafon TPU distribution.
• PT Sekar Bumi (Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2017Indonesian joint venture partner in PT Sekar Seinan Food (51% stake). Established April 2017 for Japanese-style fish sausage manufacturing. Provides local market knowledge, manufacturing facilities, and halal certification.
• 西南開発株式会社 (Seinan Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2017Japanese joint venture partner in PT Sekar Seinan Food. Provides Japanese-style fish sausage manufacturing technology and recipes for Indonesian production.
• Haitian International (海天国際控股有限公司)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Japanese distributor for Haitian International injection molding machines since the 1990s. Nomura Trading sells MARS Ⅴ, JUPITER Ⅴ, Zhafir VENUS Ⅴ, and ZERES Ⅴ series machines. Relationship includes mutual supply: Nomura exports Japanese-made machine tool components to Haitian while importing completed machines. Over 20 years of partnership with 100+ machines sold in Japan.
• Muang Mai Guthrie PCL (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of natural rubber latex products (DYNATHAI-HA, DYNATHAI-LA grades). Products manufactured in Thailand with approximately 60% solid rubber content.
• Green HPSP (M) SDN BHD (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of specialty natural rubber polymers including MEGAPOLY 30, SUPERPOLY 20, and PROPOLY 80. Products include NR grafted with MMA and compound grades for rubber processing.
• Vietnamese Natural Rubber SupplierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term supply relationships with Vietnamese SVR (Standard Vietnamese Rubber) producers. Maintains multiple supplier relationships for stable delivery of technically specified rubber grades.
• Sri Lankan Natural Rubber SupplierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply relationships for Thick Pale Crepe (TPC) specialty rubber from Sri Lanka. One of few suppliers of highest-grade pale crepe rubber.
• Texchem Polymers Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of TEXa biomass plastic - environmentally friendly plastic using 51% agricultural waste as main component. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 33% compared to petrochemical-derived plastics.
• ADVANSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for recycled polyester produced from PET bottles collected from Southeast Asian coastlines. Partnership with Plastic Bank for marine plastic waste collection.
• Plastic BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for marine plastic waste collection from Southeast Asian coastlines. Provides fair compensation to collectors in low-income communities while reducing ocean plastic pollution.
• 東京海上日動火災保険株式会社coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance products distributed through Nomura Ivy subsidiary. Part of multi-provider insurance agency offering property, casualty, and other insurance products.
• AIG損害保険株式会社coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance products distributed through Nomura Ivy subsidiary.
• 損害保険ジャパン株式会社coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance products distributed through Nomura Ivy subsidiary.
• 楽天損害保険株式会社coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance products distributed through Nomura Ivy subsidiary.
• 野村興産株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan's only mercury recycling processing company. Nomura Ivy serves as cooperative partner for collection of mercury-containing waste products (fluorescent lights, batteries) in compliance with Minamata Convention.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Toyota Tsusho Corporation: Mid-major Japanese trading company combining industrial materials, machinery distribution, and overseas manufacturing. Comparable model of acting as exclusive Japanese channel for foreign industrial OEMs while building Southeast Asian manufacturing footprint.
• Hanwa Co., Ltd. Mid-size Japanese sogo shosha with deep activity in rubber/elastomers, steel, food, and industrial machinery distribution. Closest scale- and business-mix comparable to Nomura Trading, with similar agency-distribution model and ASEAN-centric supplier base.
• Sojitz Corporation: Japanese general trading company with comparable diversified portfolio of chemicals, food, industrial machinery, and ASEAN manufacturing investments. Similar breadth of customer segments and reliance on overseas supplier-agency arrangements.

Broad incumbents

• Itochu Corporation: One of Japan's largest sogo shosha, operating across food, textiles, and machinery with global network. Overlaps with Nomura in food import/export and industrial machinery distribution, but at materially larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Major Japanese general trading company with global presence in food, chemicals, machinery, and natural resources. Competes with Nomura in natural rubber trading, food distribution, and industrial machinery, with vastly larger balance sheet.
• Sumitomo Corporation: Major Japanese sogo shosha with active trading in natural rubber, food products, and industrial machinery. Direct overlap on rubber and food import/export segments, with broader global scale.
• Marubeni Corporation: Diversified Japanese trading house active in food, chemicals, and industrial materials with deep Asian footprint. Overlaps with Nomura in grain/rubber trading and machinery distribution; meaningfully larger scale and more aggressive M&A history.

Emerging players

• Halcyon Agri Corporation: Singapore-headquartered natural rubber producer and trader supplying global tire and rubber-goods manufacturers. Most direct comparable in Nomura's natural rubber segment, competing for the same Southeast Asian upstream supply and Japanese mid-market customers.
• Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited: One of the world's largest integrated natural rubber producers and exporters, with Thailand-centric plantation base. Comparable to Nomura on technically specified rubber (SVR, RSS) supply and direct technical-grade customers in Japan.

Others

• Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of injection molding machines, supplying the same downstream plastics-processing customers in Japan that Nomura supplies via Haitian. Adjacent rather than directly competing — Nissei sells machines, Nomura sells machines plus services — but addresses the same buyer segment in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nomura-trading-co-ltd-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries9 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 Nomura Trading