Clover Mfg
Clover Mfg Co., Ltd. (founded 1925, Osaka, Japan) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer of handcraft tools — sewing, knitting, patchwork, embroidery, and DIY supplies — sold direct-to-consumer online, through nationwide Japanese craft stores, and via a global storefront to hobbyists, instructors, and schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1925
- HeadquartersOsaka, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Clover Mfg does
Clover Mfg Co., Ltd. (クロバー株式会社), founded in 1925 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a privately held manufacturer of handcrafting tools and supplies serving the domestic and international hobby market. Its catalog spans sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patchwork and quilting tools, scissors, embroidery instruments, craft kits, books and patterns, and specialty items such as the Tape Maker bias-tape tool, Piece Template system, Slash Cutter, Tsumami-zukuri fabric-flower plates, Punch Needle, and the Clover Mini Weave portable loom. Manufacturing and primary operations are based in Osaka, with a separate East Osaka (Higashiosaka) facility used for solar power generation as part of its CSR/environmental program.
The company's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, combining its own online shop (onlineshop.clover.co.jp), a global storefront at clover-mfg.com, and a nationwide network of independent craft stores across Japan, supplemented by a presence at domestic craft fairs. Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time unit purchases of tools, kits, materials, and books, with public pricing ranging from roughly 880 yen to 6,050 yen (tax-included) per item. Clover supports the purchase funnel with a large owned-content ecosystem — over 475 tutorial videos under the "handmade movie" brand, the Clover TV YouTube channel, the Atelier Handmade recipe platform, an active events and workshops program through 2026, and social channels on Instagram, Facebook, LINE, Pinterest, and X/Twitter.
Customer segmentation is horizontal and consumer-led: individual hobbyists (the primary segment) across knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, patchwork, embroidery, and related crafts, supplemented by craft teachers and workshop instructors and by elementary-school craft-education programs. The company holds no disclosed institutional investors, has no funding history, operates no mobile app or public API, and has no M&A, partnership, or leadership-change events on record — making it a stable, founder-/management-held niche consumer-goods manufacturer whose principal moat sits in brand longevity (≈100 years), proprietary tool designs, multi-channel distribution, and an unusually deep tutorial content library for its category.
Clover Mfg firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clover Mfg
- Legal name
- Clover Mfg Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://clover.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1925
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Clover Mfg Co., Ltd. (founded 1925, Osaka, Japan) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer of handcraft tools — sewing, knitting, patchwork, embroidery, and DIY supplies — sold direct-to-consumer online, through nationwide Japanese craft stores, and via a global storefront to hobbyists, instructors, and schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clover Mfg industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft and Hobby Tools
- NAICS
- All Other Textile Product Mills (31499), Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (3131)
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Threads, Yarns & Sewing Notions (Sewing Thread/Embroidery Thread/Bobbins/Needles) (IMAOALAE)
Keywords
Where Clover Mfg is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Osaka
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Clover Mfg business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Tools Sales: One-time purchase of handcrafting tools and instruments. Products include needles, scissors, templates, measuring tools, and specialized crafting instruments sold at various price points.
- DIY Kits and Hobby Materials: Sale of craft kits, hobby materials, and specialized supplies for various handcrafting projects.
- Books and Pattern Publications: Sale of handmade craft books, pattern collections, and instructional materials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tape Maker 6-18mm widths |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tape Maker 50mm width |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tape Maker W (heat-sealing) 6-25mm widths |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Patchwork Iron |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quilt Iron |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Easy Turner (2-piece set) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Clover Mfg product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clover Mfg Co., Ltd. (クロバー株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in handmade craft tools and supplies, including sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patchwork and quilting instruments, embroidery tools, and DIY materials. The company develops branded specialty products such as the Tape Maker bias-tape tool, Piece Template system, Tsumami-zukuri fabric flower plates, Punch Needle embroidery, Clover Mini Weave loom, and Amure crochet hooks. These products are supported by a comprehensive video tutorial library (475+ handmade movies) and a recipe database on the company website.
Product overview
Clover Mfg (クロバー株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer of handcraft tools and supplies. Its product portfolio spans sewing needles, knitting needles, patchwork and quilting tools, crocheting hooks, and specialty craft tools. The core product lines include the Tape Maker series (bias tape tools in standard and heat-adhesive W variants available in multiple widths), the Piece Template system (geometric shape templates for patchwork), the Slash Quilt technique tools, the Tsumami-zukuri (fabric flower) plate series, and the Clover Mini Weave portable loom. Specialty product lines include the Punch Needle embroidery system, the Super Pom-Pom Maker, the Lilian tubular flower knitting tool, the Amure crochet hook brand, and beaded sashiko templates. The company also provides name labeling products (おなまえつけグッズ), fabric adhesives, heat-resistant applique mats, and a full range of handcraft supplies including scissors, thimbles, pin cushions, rotary cutters, and ironing tools. The products are supported by a video tutorial library (handmade movies) and recipe database on the company's website.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- クロバーモチーフ: A product brand/sub-brand under Clover featuring Clover motifs for crafting and handicraft applications.
- ポルトボヌール
- アミュレ
- Parfait Project
- アトリエ
- 匠
- クロバーDIYシリーズ
Products and services
- Tape Maker / Tape Maker W (テープメーカー / テープメーカーW) Hand tools for easily creating bias tape from fabric; Tape Maker W (Double) creates heat-adhesive bias tape for appliques and temporary bonding. Available in widths of 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm, 25mm, and 50mm. For individual craft hobbyists and sewing enthusiasts.
- Piece Template (ピーステンプレート) Template plates for drawing patchwork piece patterns with seam allowances simultaneously. Available in shapes including hexagon, diamond 60°, diamond 45°, equilateral triangle, square, right triangle 1/2, right triangle 1/4, and circle. For patchwork and quilting hobbyists.
- Tsumami-zukuri Plate (つまみ細工プレート) Template plates for creating fabric flower petals in tsumami-zukuri (fabric flower) style. Available in styles including round, sword, diamond, round pleat, and sword pleat. For craft hobbyists interested in Japanese fabric flower arts.
- Slash Quilt System (スラッシュキルト) A quilting technique product line where multiple layers of fabric are stacked, sewn along bias grain, only the bottom fabric is left intact between seams, and the seams are cut and washed to create a fuzzy, velvety texture. Includes the Slash Cutter rotary tool. For advanced quilters.
- Punch Needle (パンチニードル) A tool for creating punch needle embroidery, where yarn is punched through fabric to create a looped pile texture, similar to coloring with yarn. For embroidery and fiber art enthusiasts.
- Clover Mini Weave (クロバーミニ織り) A compact portable weaving loom for creating small woven accessories such as keyholders and tapestries. Includes the full Mini Weave series of looms, accessories, and pattern books. For weaving hobbyists.
- Super Pom-Pom Maker (スーパーポンポンメーカー) Tool for making fluffy yarn pom-poms in various sizes. For yarn craft enthusiasts.
- Lilian Tubular Knitting Tool (リリアン) A tubular knitting tool for creating decorative fabric flowers using yarn. For yarn flower craft hobbyists.
- Amure Crochet Hook (かぎ針「アミュレ」) A specialty crochet hook brand named Amure, used for flower and afghan crochet projects. For crocheters.
- Beaded Sashiko Template (比亚德刺し子テンプレート) Template for creating beaded sashiko (Japanese decorative stitch) designs with added beadwork. For traditional Japanese embroidery enthusiasts.
- Sewing Needles (縫い針) A comprehensive range of sewing needles for hand-sewing and craft applications. For sewists and craft hobbyists.
- Knitting Needles (編み針) Knitting needles including specialized needles such as the Takumi brand double-ended needles. For knitters.
- Patchwork and Quilt Supplies (パッチワーク・キルト用品) A full range of patchwork and quilting tools including rotary cutters, rulers, templates, seam rippers, and pressing tools such as the Patchwork Iron (6,050 yen) and Quilt Iron (4,950 yen). For quilters and patchworkers.
- Name Labeling Products (おなまえつけグッズ) Labeling products for marking names on clothing and personal items, including tag labels, sock labels, water-resistant labels, fabric labels, and name ribbons. For parents of school-age children and individuals.
- Fabric Strong Adhesive Harisigoto (布用強力ボンド「貼り仕事」) A strong fabric adhesive for bonding fabric pieces, used in fabric craft applications. For fabric craft hobbyists.
- Heat-Resistant Applique Mat (耐熱性アップリケマット) A heat-resistant mat used for fuse-applique work in quilting and patchwork. For quilters and patchworkers.
- Hana-ami Room (花あみルーム) A tool for creating decorative yarn flowers and floral accessories. For yarn and floral craft hobbyists.
- Chikuchiku Yo-Yo Plate (ちくちくヨーヨープレート) Template for easily making circular yo-yo fabric pieces used in yo-yo quilting projects. For quilters.
- Rosette Maker (ロゼットメーカー) Tool for making decorative fabric rosettes. For fabric craft hobbyists.
Quantifiable outcome
- 475+ instructional craft videos available
Companies that use Clover Mfg
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Clover Mfg technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Clover Mfg partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clover Mfg competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brother Industries: Brother is a Japanese sewing-machine and craft-machine maker (innov-is, P-touch labelers). It is a broader incumbent in sewing/crafting tools, competing with Clover through machine-based label and craft workflows.
- Fiskars: Fiskars is a global consumer tools and crafting brand (including scissors, rotary cutters, and DIY tools). It overlaps with Clover's cutters, rulers, and hand tools but operates at much broader scale across many categories.
- Coats Group: Coats Group is the world's largest industrial thread and components manufacturer with strong consumer sewing-notions brands. It is a broad incumbent competing with Clover in needles, threads, and zippers across global retail.
- KAI Group: KAI Group is a Japanese blade and scissors manufacturer (including the brand Kai) with a global consumer craft-and-kitchen scissors business. It overlaps with Clover's scissors and cutting tools category.
Direct peers
- Prym: Prym is a German-headquartered global leader in sewing notions, needles, hooks, and craft tools. It is the most direct international peer to Clover, competing in the same category with similar notions, knitting needles, and patchwork instruments.
- Hamanaka (Olympus Thread): Hamanaka is a Japanese maker of embroidery threads, felting wool, and handicraft supplies. It is a Japan-domestic peer to Clover across yarn, embroidery, and handicraft supplies, often co-listed in the same nationwide craft stores.
- KnitPro (Knitter's Pride): KnitPro is a leading international brand of knitting needles, crochet hooks, and tool sets. It competes with Clover's Takumi and Amure lines in the premium handmade knitting needle category worldwide.
- Daruma (Matsubokkoku): Daruma is a long-established Japanese sewing thread and sashiko thread manufacturer. It is a domestic peer to Clover in the Japanese craft-thread and traditional stitching category.
- Dritz: Dritz is a US-based sewing notions and craft supplies brand owned by Prym. It overlaps with Clover in needles, scissors, cutting tools, and patchwork notions for the home sewing hobbyist market.
Emerging players
- Bohin France: Bohin is a French manufacturer of premium sewing and embroidery needles. It is a niche premium-peer to Clover's sewing-needle line, focused on a higher-end specialty segment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clover Mfg social profiles
Digital presenceClover Mfg financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clover Mfg leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Clover Mfg funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clover Mfg M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clover Mfg
What does Clover Mfg do?
Clover Mfg Co., Ltd. (クロバー株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in handmade craft tools and supplies, including sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patchwork and quilting instruments, embroidery tools, and DIY materials. The company develops branded specialty products such as the Tape Maker bias-tape tool, Piece Template system, Tsumami-zukuri fabric flower plates, Punch Needle embroidery, Clover Mini Weave loom, and Amure crochet hooks. These products are supported by a comprehensive video tutorial library (475+ handmade movies) and a recipe database on the company website.
Is Clover Mfg a public or private company?
Clover Mfg is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Clover Mfg founded?
Clover Mfg was founded in 1925.
Where is Clover Mfg based?
Clover Mfg is headquartered in Osaka, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Clover Mfg make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Tools Sales are the primary driver. The others are DIY Kits and Hobby Materials and books and Pattern Publications.
Who are Clover Mfg's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brother Industries, Fiskars, Coats Group and KAI Group. Direct peers are Prym, Hamanaka (Olympus Thread), KnitPro (Knitter's Pride), Daruma (Matsubokkoku) and Dritz. Bohin France is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clover Mfg have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clover Mfg.
What industry is Clover Mfg in?
Clover Mfg's product category is Craft and Hobby Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOALAE, Threads, Yarns & Sewing Notions (Sewing Thread/Embroidery Thread/Bobbins/Needles). Its NAICS code is 31499 and its SIC code is 3420.