WORKS

What WORKS does

WORKS Co., Ltd. is a Japanese ultra-precision machining specialist that designs and manufactures custom-machined components and molds at nanometer-level accuracy for B2B customers across medical devices, semiconductors, automotive, and optical communications. Founded in 1991 in Kitakyushu and now headquartered in Onga-cho, Fukuoka Prefecture, the company originated as a grinding machinery and tool trading firm before transitioning into precision mold manufacturing in 1997.

The company's core technology stack centers on proprietary diamond tool development, cemented carbide and ceramic processing, and single-nano-level grinding (achieving Ra3nm surface roughness). Product lines include glass micro lens array (MLA) molds — including the world's smallest φ0.1mm precision glass lens and the world's-first cemented carbide MLA mold for glass — as well as sub-micron pin gauges (0.0001mm accuracy), micro nozzles (φ0.05mm, 1,200 shots/sec), CVD-SiC mirror-finished components (Ra0.008µm), single-cell analysis micro-well chips (40,000 wells/chip), and patented non-uniform micro-needle molds. Production is supported by three facilities: the Onga-cho headquarters and factory, the Wakamatsu Business Office (est. 2022) for cemented carbide and ceramic processing, and R&D Center Hibikino (est. 2019) at the Kitakyushu Science and Research Park, with a wholly-owned subsidiary (WORKS Precision) and a Kobe satellite for medical industry collaboration.

The business model is project-based custom manufacturing: all products are bespoke per customer specification, with pricing negotiated per project and no publicly disclosed pricing. Revenue is derived from one-off custom orders rather than recurring license or subscription streams. Distribution is direct B2B sales, supported by participation in major industry exhibitions (OPIE, Medtec Japan, SEMICON Taiwan, InterMold, Photonix, Micromachining EXPO). The company is privately held and founder-controlled, with FY2022 annual sales of approximately ¥1.07 billion and 52–60 employees as of the most recent reporting period.

Name

WORKS

Legal name

株式会社ワークス (WORKS Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://wks-co.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WORKS Co., Ltd. is a Japanese ultra-precision machining specialist that designs and manufactures custom nanometer-accuracy components and molds — including world-first cemented carbide MLA molds and φ0.1mm glass lenses — for B2B customers in medical devices, semiconductors, automotive, and optical communications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ultra-Precision Machining and Custom Mold Manufacturing

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515), Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing (33272)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Precision & Micro Injection Molding (IMANAFAH), Injection Molded Optical & Transparent Parts (Lenses, Light Guides) (IMANAFAL)

Keywords

• Ultra-precision machining
• Precision mold manufacturing
• Micro lens array molds
• Cemented carbide tooling
• Custom precision components

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Precision Mold Component Manufacturing: Custom-made precision components including optical lens molds, micro lens array molds, precision nozzles, ultra-fine pins, and measurement instruments. All products are manufactured to customer specifications as bespoke components for advanced manufacturing applications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WORKS Co., Ltd. is a custom ultra-precision machining manufacturer that designs and produces bespoke precision components and molds for enterprise customers. The company's core offerings include glass micro lens array (MLA) molds, cemented carbide precision molds, ultra-fine precision pins (φ0.03mm), high-speed micro dispenser nozzles (φ0.05mm), SiC wafer and ceramic components for semiconductor equipment, single cell analysis micro-well chips, micro-needle arrays for medical transdermal applications, and sub-micron pin gauges. Each component is manufactured to customer specifications using proprietary single-nano-level grinding and proprietary diamond tooling technology, serving medical, semiconductor, automotive, optical communications, and photonics industries.

Product overview

WORKS is an ultra-precision machining technology company that develops and manufactures precision components and molds. The company operates two main business segments: precision molds and tooling (including glass lens molding dies, cemented carbide molds, and micro nozzle molds), and precision components (including SiC wafers, ultra-fine pins, single-cell analysis micro-well chips, and medical micro-needle arrays). Their key technology is the world's first glass dual-sided Micro Lens Array (MLA) mass production using cemented carbide molds, alongside the world's smallest φ0.1mm glass lens. The company also offers ultra-precision grinding services achieving single nano-level (Ra3nm) surface roughness, and precision measurement instruments like sub-micron pin gauges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Glass Micro Lens Array (MLA)
• φ0.1mm World Smallest Glass Lens Molding Dies
• Cemented Carbide Precision Molds
• Ultra-fine Precision Pins (φ0.03mm)
• Cemented Carbide Micro Nozzles (φ0.05mm)
• Single Cell Analysis Micro-well Chips
• Silicon Carbide (SiC) Components
• Sub-micron Pin Gauges
• Micro-needle Arrays
• Ultra-precision Grinding Services Single nano-level ultra-precision grinding services achieving Ra3nm surface roughness for cemented carbide, ceramic, and other brittle materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• World's smallest φ0.1mm precision glass lens mass production enabled through proprietary molds
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 九州経済産業局 (Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry)coreOthers · 23 December 2022Selected as a support target company under the 'Tsugino Tsunagu' Program (Open Innovation Support Program) operated by Kyushu Bureau of METI. The program provides matching opportunities for companies with core technologies to pursue new markets and business creation.
• 微細加工工業会 (Micromachining Industrial Association)coreOthersActive member of the Micromachining Industrial Association (Bisai Mono-zukuri Kyokai), participating in joint exhibition booths at events including Medtec Japan and Micromachining EXPO. Association supports shared exhibition presence and industry networking.
• 日本金型工業会 (Japan Mold/Die Industry Association)coreOthersMember of the Japan Mold and Die Industry Association, supporting industry standards, networking, and business development in precision mold manufacturing.
• 精密工学会 (Japan Society of Precision Engineering)coreOthersMember of the Japan Society of Precision Engineering, participating in academic conferences including the Precision Engineering Society Autumn Conference.
• 公益社団法人 日本砥石粒加工学会 (Japan Abrasive Grain Processing Society)coreTechnology or IntegrationJoined the Japan Abrasive Grain Processing Society (public interest incorporated association) as a member, contributing to advancement of grinding and abrasive processing technology.
• 福岡県宇宙ビジネス研究会 (Fukuoka Prefecture Space Business Research Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in joint exhibitions through this prefecture-level space business association, including SPACETIDE, NIHONBASHI SPACE WEEK, and SPACE SUPPLIERS SUMMIT NAGOYA, for space-related business development and components.
• 北九州学術研究都市 / 事業化支援センターcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&D Center Hibikino operates within the Kitakyushu Science and Research Park business incubation center, supporting advanced R&D activities and technology commercialization.
• 神戸医療産業都市 (Kobe Medical Industry City)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKobe Satellite facility established at the Kobe International Medical Development Center for medical device development and collaboration with the Kobe medical industry cluster.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sodick Co., Ltd. Sodick manufactures precision EDM machines, machining centers, and high-precision metal 3D printers. Overlaps with WORKS in precision machining equipment and processes, serving similar semiconductor, automotive, and medical customers. Comparable in Japanese precision manufacturing heritage and B2B enterprise sales model.
• Makino Milling Machine Co. Makino produces high-precision vertical and horizontal machining centers for aerospace, automotive, and die/mold industries. Directly comparable to WORKS in serving mold manufacturers and precision component production with Japanese-built machining technology.
• DISCO Corporation: DISCO is a Japanese leader in precision dicing and grinding equipment for semiconductor wafers. Like WORKS, it serves semiconductor manufacturers with ultra-precision machining technology, but operates at much larger scale and with proprietary equipment rather than as a job shop. Highly comparable in precision machining DNA and end-market exposure.
• Asahi Diamond Industrial: Asahi Diamond is a leading Japanese manufacturer of diamond and CBN grinding wheels. Directly comparable to WORKS in diamond tooling for ultra-precision machining, with overlapping expertise in abrasive processing of hard/brittle materials like cemented carbide and ceramics.
• Tokyo Seimitsu (Accretech): Tokyo Seimitsu manufactures precision measurement and semiconductor production equipment, including dicing and probing machines. Comparable to WORKS in serving semiconductor manufacturers with precision components and metrology, with similar high-accuracy tolerance requirements.
• Okamoto Machine Tool Works: Okamoto specializes in precision grinding machines and surface finishing equipment. Same Japanese precision tool heritage as WORKS, with overlapping capabilities in grinding cemented carbide and ceramics. Comparable in process technology and customer base in semiconductor and tooling.

Broad incumbents

• AGC Ceramics / AGC Inc. AGC is a major Japanese glass manufacturer producing display glass, optical glass, and specialty ceramics. Comparable to WORKS in precision glass lens materials and optical component manufacturing, though at very different scale. Indirect peer through WORKS' MLA mold customers who supply AGC's glass ecosystem.
• NACHI-FUJIKOSHI Corp. NACHI is a major Japanese manufacturer of cutting tools, bearings, and hydraulic equipment. Overlaps with WORKS in precision carbide tooling and machining, though at much larger scale across multiple industrial segments. Comparable in cemented carbide and precision cutting tool manufacturing.

Emerging players

• A.L.M.T. Corp. (Sumitomo Electric): Subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric specializing in tungsten carbide and precision tool materials. Comparable to WORKS in cemented carbide and diamond tooling development, with overlapping application in microelectronics and precision components.
• Noritake Co., Ltd. Noritake manufactures grinding wheels, coated abrasives, and ceramic materials. Comparable to WORKS in abrasive processing technology and cemented carbide machining, with overlapping wire saw and dicing products for semiconductor and optics industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WORKS1770
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/category/Computer-Company/%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-485362128180431
• Instagraminstagram.com/works_onga1991/?hl=ja

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 WORKS