Nakashimada Iron Works
Nakashimada Iron Works (中島田鉄工所) is a 115-year-old Japanese specialty machinery maker that designs and manufactures cold forging headers and formers—holding 50% global and 80% Japan share in sub-2.5mm precision micro headers—serving aerospace, automotive, electronics, watchmaking, and jewelry manufacturers, with a parallel DOM® space-debris removal device business.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersFukuoka, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Nakashimada Iron Works does
Nakashimada Iron Works (中島田鉄工所), founded in 1911 in what is now Hirokawa Town, Yame District, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, is a privately held specialty industrial machinery manufacturer whose core competence is the design and production of cold forging equipment—headers and formers—used to manufacture precision screws, bolts, fasteners, and micro metal components. The company holds an estimated 50% global share and 80% Japan share in headers that produce parts with diameters of 2.5 mm or less, with cumulative machine shipments exceeding 10,000 units in April 2024 across product families such as MF Micro Formers, MST Multi-Station Part Formers, NP Nut/Part Formers, BT/BTX Bolt Formers, and NS Cold Headers. Approximately 70% of components are manufactured in-house at its Hirokawa headquarters, where traditional kisage (hand-scraping) finishing is combined with vertical machining, 5-axis, multi-tasking, and EDM equipment to deliver claimed industry-leading accuracy, roundness, and machine service life exceeding 30 years. The company's products serve diverse precision-dependent verticals including aerospace, automotive, electronics/IT, watchmaking, jewelry, stationery, and apparel, with applications spanning aircraft rivets, engine bolts, micro connectors, watch crowns, pen components, and denim rivets.
Revenue is generated through multi-year, custom-quoted industrial machinery sales complemented by a substantial aftermarket business: spare parts supply for all machines ever produced (including those 40+ years old, maintained via approximately 10,000 archived drawings), full machine overhauls and electrical/control retrofits, and the TTT Solution custom tooling and mold development service, which conducts more than 100 product feasibility studies and trials annually. Go-to-market combines wholly-owned sales and service offices in Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Santa Fe Springs (USA), Burgkunstadt (Germany), and Shenzhen (China) with a network of sales agents across 17 countries covering North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. A parallel space business—developed jointly with Tohoku University and validated in orbit via JAXA's "Kibo"-deployed FREEDOM nano-satellite—markets the DOM® (De-Orbit Mechanism) family of membrane-deployable debris-removal devices for small satellites, distributed exclusively through a general agency agreement signed with Space BD Co., Ltd. in October 2020 and culminating in the February 2024 on-orbit deployment of DOM2500 aboard Canon Electronics' CE-SAT-IE microsatellite. The company is led by Masahiro Nakashimada as President & CEO, holds ISO 9001 (since 1998) and ISO 14001 (since 2010) certifications, and remains family-controlled with approximately 137 employees.
Nakashimada Iron Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nakashimada Iron Works
- Legal name
- 株式会社 中島田鉄工所
- Website
- https://nakashimada.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Nakashimada Iron Works (中島田鉄工所) is a 115-year-old Japanese specialty machinery maker that designs and manufactures cold forging headers and formers—holding 50% global and 80% Japan share in sub-2.5mm precision micro headers—serving aerospace, automotive, electronics, watchmaking, and jewelry manufacturers, with a parallel DOM® space-debris removal device business.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nakashimada Iron Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Cold Forging Machinery
- NAICS
- Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing (33272)
- SIC
- Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
Keywords
Where Nakashimada Iron Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fukuoka
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices8 records
Markets served
Nakashimada Iron Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Manufacturing and Sales of Headers and Formers: Core business selling cold forging machines (headers and parts formers) used to manufacture precision screws, bolts, and miniature metal parts for various industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and watches.
- Aftermarket Parts and Spare Parts Supply: Supply of replacement parts for all machines manufactured, including machines produced over 40 years ago. Near 100% replacement parts supply rate maintained. Serial number-based identification system.
- Overhaul and Retrofit Services: Full overhaul services to restore machines to original delivery condition. Electrical/control system retrofits including monitor additions and inverter installations. Warranty period of 6 months after full overhaul.
- Tooling/Mold Development: Custom mold development services including tool design, plasticity analysis, tool making, and tryout. Conducts feasibility studies and trials for over 100 products annually.
- DOM Space Products: Sales of De-Orbit Mechanism (DOM) membrane-deployable devices for small satellites via Space BD general agency agreement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation based on machine specifications and tooling requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Nakashimada Iron Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nakashimada Iron Works designs and manufactures precision cold and warm forging press machines (headers and parts formers) used by industrial manufacturers to mass-produce screws, bolts, and miniature metal parts across aerospace, automotive, electronics, watchmaking, jewelry, stationery, and apparel applications. Its product range spans micro headers for sub-2.5mm parts, multi-station parts formers, bolt formers, and nut formers, plus a separate space hardware line — the DOM (De-Orbit Mechanism) membrane-deployable orbital debris removal device for small satellites. Revenue is supported by aftermarket spare parts supply, full overhaul and retrofit services, and custom tooling development.
Product overview
Nakashimada Iron Works is a precision manufacturing company specializing in cold forging machines (headers and formers) for producing screws, bolts, and precision metal parts, alongside space-related products. The core product line includes multiple header and former series (MF Micro Former, MST Multi-Station, NP Nut Former, BTX/BT Bolt Former, NS Cold Header, TH Part Former) with approximately 40+ distinct models. The company holds 50% global market share and 80% Japan share in headers for products under 2.5mm diameter, having shipped over 10,000 machines since 1960. The space business centers on the DOM (De-Orbit Mechanism) membrane deployment device for satellite orbit departure, with FREEDOM as the demonstration satellite. Supporting services include after-parts supply, overhaul/retrofit, and tooling development (TTT Solution). The company produces 70% of components in-house, maintaining integrated manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DOM: Membrane-deployable orbital debris removal device (De-Orbit Mechanism) for small satellites, with product lines DOM500, DOM1500, and DOM2500. Registered trademark of Nakashimada Engineering Works, Ltd.
- FREEDOM
Products and services
- Header / Former Cold Forging Machines High-precision cold and warm forging press machines (headers and parts formers) used by industrial manufacturers to produce screws, bolts, fasteners, and miniature metal parts. Series include MF Micro Former, MST Multi-Station Part Former, NP Nut Former, BTX and BT Bolt Former, NS Cold Header, TH Part Former, MHC Cam Header, DPH05 Vertical Header, SH051 Bi-Metal Header, MH05 Die-Shift Micro Header, and 2D3B machines.
- DOM (De-Orbit Mechanism) Membrane-deployable orbital debris removal device for small satellites, sold in DOM500, DOM1500, and DOM2500 variants. Enables satellites to de-orbit within 5 years of mission completion. Jointly developed with Tohoku University and sold via Space BD as general agent.
- FREEDOM Space Demonstration Satellite Nano-satellite jointly developed with Tohoku University to demonstrate the DOM membrane-deployable de-orbit device in outer space.
- After-Parts Supply Service Spare parts supply service maintaining approximately 10,000 machine drawings in archives and able to source parts for machines manufactured over 40 years ago using serial number lookup. Near 100% replacement parts supply rate.
- Overhaul and Retrofit Service Full overhaul service restoring cold forging machines to original delivery condition, including complete disassembly, inspection, part replacement, and adjustment. Includes electrical/control retrofits (monitor and inverter additions). Carries a 6-month warranty after full overhaul.
- Tooling Development (TTT Solution) Custom mold and tooling development service including tool design, plasticity analysis, tool making, trial production, and assembly. Conducts feasibility studies and trials for over 100 products annually, with carbide material selection expertise.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% global market share for headers producing 2.5mm or less diameter products
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Nakashimada Iron Works
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Nakashimada Iron Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Nakashimada Iron Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Space BD Co., Ltd.coreGeneral agency agreement signed in October 2020 for DOM® products. Space BD serves as the exclusive general agent for DOM membrane-deployable orbital debris removal devices for satellites.
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreFREEDOM selected by JAXA for launch from the Japanese Experiment Module 'Kibo' of the International Space Station. JAXA partnership for space demonstration mission.
- Tohoku UniversitycoreJoint development partner for DOM (De-Orbit Mechanism) technology. FREEDOM satellite jointly developed and launched in 2017 for space demonstration of DOM technology.
- Canon Electronics Ltd.minorDOM2500 installed on Canon Electronics' CE-SAT-IE microsatellite, launched on H3TF2 rocket in February 2024.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Nakashimada Iron Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Komatsu Industries: Komatsu's industrial machinery division produces large presses and metalworking systems globally. While broader in scope, it competes with Nakashimada in heavy press machinery for automotive and fastener applications, particularly at the high-tonnage end of the market.
- Aida Engineering: Aida Engineering is a Japanese press machinery manufacturer producing mechanical and servo presses for automotive, electrical, and appliance applications — a domestic incumbent serving overlapping fastener/stamping end markets at greater scale than Nakashimada.
- Schuler Group: Schuler is a German global leader in press and metalforming technology, offering forging, stamping, and cold forming systems. It overlaps with Nakashimada in cold forming press machinery but serves a much broader industrial customer base at larger scale.
Direct peers
- National Machinery: National Machinery is a US-based manufacturer of cold formers and thread rollers, historically a direct competitor to Nakashimada in high-speed headers and parts formers for screws, bolts, and specialty fasteners.
- Hatebur: Hatebur is a Swiss manufacturer of cold forming machines and headers for fasteners and precision parts — a direct global peer to Nakashimada in multi-station cold formers serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial fastener markets.
- Sacma Limbiate: Sacma is an Italian maker of cold headers and thread rolling machines for fastener production, directly comparable to Nakashimada in product range, customer base (automotive, industrial fasteners), and machine class.
- Chun Zu Machinery Industry: Chun Zu is a Taiwanese manufacturer of cold forging machines (headers, formers, nut formers) directly competing with Nakashimada in the Asia-Pacific fastener machinery market, particularly for bolts, screws, and automotive parts.
Regional players
- Asahi Forge Corporation: Asahi Forge is a Japanese manufacturer of cold forged products (not machines) but operates in the same value chain, sharing customer base and end markets with Nakashimada and serving as a regional reference point for cold forging industry dynamics in Japan.
- Toho Koki Industrial: Toho Koki is a Japanese manufacturer of forging equipment and metal forming machinery with overlapping end markets (automotive fasteners, industrial parts). Comparable to Nakashimada in product class and Japanese customer base, though broader in scope.
Emerging players
- Astroscale: Astroscale is a Japan-headquartered space debris removal and satellite servicing company pursuing the same on-orbit debris mitigation market as Nakashimada's DOM product line. It is a partial peer — overlapping only in the space-debris business unit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nakashimada Iron Works compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Nakashimada Iron Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nakashimada Iron Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Nakashimada Iron Works subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Nakashimada Iron Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nakashimada Iron Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nakashimada Iron Works
What does Nakashimada Iron Works do?
Nakashimada Iron Works designs and manufactures precision cold and warm forging press machines (headers and parts formers) used by industrial manufacturers to mass-produce screws, bolts, and miniature metal parts across aerospace, automotive, electronics, watchmaking, jewelry, stationery, and apparel applications. Its product range spans micro headers for sub-2.5mm parts, multi-station parts formers, bolt formers, and nut formers, plus a separate space hardware line — the DOM (De-Orbit Mechanism) membrane-deployable orbital debris removal device for small satellites. Revenue is supported by aftermarket spare parts supply, full overhaul and retrofit services, and custom tooling development.
Is Nakashimada Iron Works a public or private company?
Nakashimada Iron Works is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Nakashimada Iron Works founded?
Nakashimada Iron Works was founded in 1911. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Nakashimada Iron Works based?
Nakashimada Iron Works is headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Nakashimada Iron Works make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Manufacturing and Sales of Headers and Formers are the primary driver. The others are aftermarket Parts and Spare Parts Supply, overhaul and Retrofit Services, tooling/Mold Development and DOM Space Products.
Who are Nakashimada Iron Works's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Komatsu Industries, Aida Engineering and Schuler Group. Direct peers are National Machinery, Hatebur, Sacma Limbiate and Chun Zu Machinery Industry. Regional players are Asahi Forge Corporation and Toho Koki Industrial. Astroscale is listed as an emerging player.
Does Nakashimada Iron Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nakashimada Iron Works.
What industry is Nakashimada Iron Works in?
Nakashimada Iron Works's product category is Industrial Cold Forging Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures). Its NAICS code is 33272 and its SIC code is 3541.