Shinko Engineering Research

What Shinko Engineering Research does

Shinko Engineering Research (株式会社 新興技術研究所) is a Japanese precision machinery and automation company founded in 1963 and headquartered in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. The company operates three interconnected business pillars. First, it designs and manufactures custom production automation equipment — including automated assembly machines, conveyance/handling systems, and specialized equipment — for manufacturing companies across automotive, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, electronics, and chemicals industries. Notable enterprise customers include Tosoh, Pigeon, Nihon Medi-Physics, Toyota Tsusho, Unipres, Bridgestone, and TOPPAN. Second, it produces the MM-3000 series of modular mechatronics training systems, a flagship platform of over 200 swappable modules enabling 300+ system combinations on a tabletop format without tools, deployed at 300+ educational institutions domestically and internationally and designated as official training material for Skills Olympics Japan since 2015. Third, it operates the proprietary Reverse Radio earthquake prediction system, a patented electromagnetic noise detection network of approximately 100 observation points across 50+ partner companies, powering the subscription-based 'Yurekurun' earthquake prediction information service.

The company monetizes through multiple revenue streams: one-time sales of custom production automation equipment, hardware sales of mechatronics education systems, royalties from 31 published technical books (with three titles ranking in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun's 2021 popular books top 10), recurring subscription revenue from the Yurekurun earthquake prediction service, and professional services for custom experimental devices such as the pulsatile pump MD-P370 used in medical device testing. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise sales, regional offices in Tohoku/Shizuoka/Kyushu-Okinawa, and active participation in industry exhibitions including INTERPHEX, International Robot Exhibition (IROBOT), Industrial Exchange Exhibition, and INCHEM TOKYO. International education equipment deliveries have reached 12+ countries through ODA programs.

The company maintains a small, technically focused organization of 28 employees as of August 2025, with three regional sales offices and no disclosed subsidiaries or external investors. It is privately held by the founding Kumagai family, with current leadership under Representative Director Kumagai Yukihiro following the 2022 passing of founder and chairman Kumagai Takashi. The company holds nine registered patents including core electromagnetic noise detection patents (No. 3188609 and No. 5379373) acquired in 2001, and continues to launch new MM-3000 platform extensions including drone training (MM-DRV1, 2024) and maintenance training (MM3000-MTP, 2024).

Name

Shinko Engineering Research

Legal name

株式会社新興技術研究所

Website

https://shinko-japan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shinko Engineering Research is a Japanese precision machinery company founded in 1963 that designs custom production automation equipment, manufactures the MM-3000 modular mechatronics training platform for educational institutions, and operates the patented Reverse Radio earthquake prediction network serving enterprise manufacturers and technical schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechatronics Systems & Integration (EDAOAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Controls, PLC & Industrial Automation (EDAOABAE), Industrial Quality Inspection & Metrology (Machine Vision) (IMAIAMAF), Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

Keywords

• Industrial automation equipment
• Mechatronics training systems
• Automated assembly machines
• Earthquake prediction systems
• Technical education equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Setagaya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Production Automation Equipment Sales: Custom-designed and manufactured production automation equipment including automatic assembly machines, automated handling systems, and specialized manufacturing lines. Covers the full lifecycle from technical proposal and design through manufacturing, assembly, electrical control, installation and maintenance.
2. Mechatronics Education Equipment Sales: Sale of MM-3000 series mechatronics technical training systems to educational institutions (universities, technical colleges, vocational schools, high schools) and corporate training departments. Includes various training machines and simulators.
3. Technical Publications and Books: Publishing of technical books on automation design, mechanisms, sequence control, and mechatronics. Company authors (particularly Hideki Kumagai) have published 31 titles including bestsellers recognized by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
4. Earthquake Prediction Information Services: Earthquake prediction information distribution service 'Yurekurun' using reverse radio observation network. Provides earthquake prediction data to partner companies and subscribers nationwide.
5. Custom Experimental Device Development: Development of specialized experimental devices for research institutions, including medical research equipment such as pulsatile pump systems for simulating heart function.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shinko Engineering Research is a Japanese industrial machinery manufacturer that designs and produces custom production automation equipment (automated assembly machines, conveyance/handling systems, and laboratory automation) for enterprise manufacturers, and sells modular mechatronics training systems (MM-3000 series) to educational institutions and corporate training departments. The company additionally operates a proprietary Reverse Radio electromagnetic-noise-based earthquake prediction system (Yurekurun) with approximately 100 nationwide observation points.

Product overview

Shinko Engineering Research (株式会社新興技術研究所) offers three interconnected business pillars: (1) Production Automation Equipment — custom-designed automated assembly machines, conveyance/handling systems, and specialized equipment for pharmaceutical, food, automotive, and electronics industries; (2) the MM-3000 Series Mechatronics Training System as the flagship product platform — a modular tabletop system with over 200 swappable modules (mechanisms, actuators, sensors, controllers, tools) that serves as the core platform, supplemented by specialized add-on modules including the FAM-3000 FA line trainer, cam/link mechanism trainer, karakuri mechanism trainer, mechatronics simulator (MM-MSV2), maintenance training series (MM3000-MT), robot training devices (RVR/VFR series), IoT training system (MM3000-IoT), X-Y robot trainer, hydraulic training system, work handling trainer, Raspberry Pi trainer, solar panel trainer, and drone training kit; and (3) the proprietary Reverse Radio earthquake prediction technology — an electromagnetic noise detection system with approximately 100 observation points nationwide that powers the 'Yurekurun' earthquake prediction information service, along with specialized medical/laboratory devices including pulsatile pump experiment systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MM-3000V Mechatronics Training System Modular tabletop mechatronics training system for educational institutions and corporate training departments, allowing learners to build production line simulations using 200+ swappable modules with no tools required, supporting relay, microcontroller, PLC (sequencer), and computer control methods.
• FAM-3000 Compact FA Line Training System Compact production line training system reproducing an automated production line using industry-employed equipment, with four part supply units and a pallet transport conveyor for hands-on training in parts supply, pickup, pallet transfer, and circulation.
• MM-MSV2 Mechatronics Simulator V2 Windows PC-based digital control simulator for mechatronic machines that allows placement of virtual mechatronic devices on screen and simulation of PLC, computer, and microcontroller control. Designated as the competition problem device for Skills Olympics Japan factory electrical equipment PLC since 2015.
• MM3000-MT Maintenance Training Device Series Series of maintenance training devices for acquiring automated factory equipment maintenance skills, including rotary indexer type, vibration-generating type, and parts replacement type models covering fault identification, adjustment, recovery, bearing replacement, and shaft alignment.
• MM3000-RVR Robot Training Device Series Training devices combining 6-axis articulated robots with training frames, robot control panels, and PLCs, available in 6-axis multi-joint specification (RVR1000 series) or collaborative robot specification (RVR2000 series), supporting Denso, Mitsubishi, Nachi, and FANUC robot brands.
• MM3000-IoT IoT Training System IoT training system that connects to existing production equipment to collect and analyze PLC data, with browser-based real-time monitoring and experience-based applications for equipment monitoring, production management, and factor analysis.
• MM-VC404RBPI Raspberry Pi Training Device Raspberry Pi-equipped training device compatible with the MM-3000 series microcontroller control, enabling direct control using Scratch, Python, and ladder programs via Open PLC Editor, and supporting AI-based image recognition for advanced control training.
• MM-DRV1 Drone Training Kit Indoor training drone package for beginners to advanced users, including the drone body and a safety device (utility model 2023-001690) that protects against crashes and collisions while maintaining flight capability, with Betaflight control software for flight performance configuration.
• Custom Automated Assembly Machines and Conveyance/Handling Systems Custom-designed automated assembly machines and automatic conveyance/handling systems that replace production lines accommodating various product types, with one-off automated equipment designed and manufactured to outperform existing production methods across automotive, electronics, medical/pharmaceutical, food, and specialty materials industries.
• LaboRobo Laboratory Robot Support System Robot support system that automates routine laboratory work in pharmaceutical and R&D settings, designed to handle repetitive tasks in research labs and improve efficiency in drug development workflows.
• Automated Dispensing and Capping Equipment Flexible automated dispensing and capping device for liquid and powder applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, with units that can be freely combined according to application and scale to meet diverse dispensing needs.
• Reverse Radio Electromagnetic Noise Observation System Electromagnetic noise observation system that automatically separates and detects natural electromagnetic noise for earthquake prediction, with patented technology (Patent No. 3188609, No. 5379373 plus overseas patents) and approximately 100 observation points nationwide.
• Yurekurun Earthquake Prediction Information Service Earthquake prediction information delivery service that uses electromagnetic noise data from approximately 100 nationwide observation points to provide earthquake prediction information to members, with weekly prediction reports and emergency alerts.
• Pulsatile Pump Experiment Device (MD-P370) Pulsatile pump experiment device that creates heartbeat-like pulsation approximating actual cardiac rhythm to deliver blood-analogous liquids using a dual-cylinder pump driven by stepper motors with pulse control and a proprietary Picture Cam drive system allowing Excel-defined waveform operation. Used for medical device testing and surgical training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70-80% prediction accuracy rate for earthquake forecasting
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ACS株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperating partner company listed among approximately 10 partner enterprises supporting Shinko Engineering's operations.
• 大洋電機工業株式会社 (Taiyo Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cooperating partner with long-term business relationship. Supplier of electrical motor components for automation equipment.
• 株式会社ミスミ (Misumi Corporation)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperating partner company in the supply chain for precision components and automation equipment parts.
• 株式会社信和技研 (Shinwa Giken)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner for specialized mechanical components and automation solutions.
• スズデン株式会社 (Suzuden Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperating partner company in the electrical components and systems supply network.
• ワークス駿東 (Works Sunto)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperating partner hosting Shinko's Shizuoka Office location. Involved in local automation projects.
• 株式会社テック (Tec Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperating partner company supporting technical solutions and engineering services.
• ダイトロン株式会社 (Daitron Co., Ltd.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-exhibited at INTERPHEX Week Tokyo 2023 at Daitron's booth for laboratory automation and lab support systems.
• 約100观测点合作伙伴企业/团体 (Approximately 100 observation point partner companies/organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompanies and organizations hosting reverse radio earthquake observation devices at their facilities. Reached 100 locations across 50+ companies for earthquake prediction research data collection network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Beckhoff Automation GmbH: Beckhoff provides PC-based control, PLC, and drive technology with strong adoption in educational laboratories worldwide. Its TwinCAT engineering environment parallels Shinko's MM-MSV2 simulator approach and is increasingly used in mechatronics curricula at polytechnics.
• Automazioni Industriali / IAI Corporation: IAI Corporation is a Japanese specialist in Cartesian and tabletop industrial robots and electric actuators, with products frequently used in the same factory automation and pick-and-place applications as Shinko's custom automated assembly equipment.

Broad incumbents

• Omron Corporation: Omron is a Japanese industrial automation incumbent with PLC, sensors, and robotics product lines and an established education / training business. Its products and education platforms overlap with both Shinko's custom automation equipment and mechatronics training systems.
• SMC Corporation: SMC is the world's largest pneumatics and automation components manufacturer, supplying Japanese factory automation customers across automotive, pharmaceutical, and food industries. It addresses the same production automation market as Shinko's custom automated assembly equipment from the components side.
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation: Mitsubishi Electric is a broad industrial automation incumbent with PLC, servo, and robot offerings that directly compete with Shinko's MMC-MSV2 PLC-simulator and education portfolio. Its MELFA robot and PLC training programs are widely deployed in Japan's vocational schools.
• Yaskawa Electric Corporation: Yaskawa is a major Japanese motion control and industrial robotics company with its own Motoman robotics brand and a wide automation portfolio. Its Motoman Academy and education-grade robot platforms overlap with Shinko's robot training equipment (MM3000-RVR, MM3000-VFR) and broader factory automation footprint.
• FANUC Corporation: FANUC is the world's largest industrial robot manufacturer and a major CNC and Robodrill producer. Its education business sells robot training cells to universities and Skills Olympics programs, often bundled with its own robots that are also supported on Shinko's RVR-series training devices.

Direct peers

• Amatrol, Inc. Amatrol designs and manufactures eLearning and hands-on mechatronics, fluid power, and industrial automation training systems for technical education and workforce development. The company is a direct peer in the modular training equipment market overlapping with Shinko's MM-3000 line.
• Festo Didactic SE: Festo Didactic is the global leader in technical education equipment for mechatronics, automation, and Industry 4.0. It is the closest direct competitor to Shinko's MM-3000 modular training platform, serving the same vocational schools, polytechnics, and corporate training centers worldwide.
• Lucas-Nülle GmbH: Lucas-Nülle produces modular training systems for electrical engineering, mechatronics, and automation, sold to universities and vocational schools internationally. Its UNI-TRAIN platform and mechatronics trainers directly parallel Shinko's MM-3000V system and Skill Olympics preparation equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EducationMM3000

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Shinko Engineering Research