Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company

What Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company does

Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company (丸山金属工業株式会社) is a Japanese specialty manufacturer founded in 1909 in Tokyo and currently headquartered at 1-1475 Kainan-cho Minami, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. The company was Japan's first maker of metal snap buttons (ホック / snap fasteners) and has specialized continuously in this product for 115+ years. It produces a catalog of more than 3,000 product variants spanning American-style round spring snaps (series 7501, 7401, 7301, 7050, 4647, 8801, 7101), European-style CPT series, the premium JS Brand line (JS-008, JS-101, JS-102, JS-104), stainless steel and self-piercing variants, functional snaps (TH pressure-release, Yulex slide-type, Bisu Genko screw buttons), eyelets, packing components, and customizable caps.

The company's core technology is precision snap button manufacturing using German-imported high-speed automatic presses, in-house die design and fabrication, and a proprietary 'spring feel' (バネ味) calibration system that numerically controls tactile quality using dedicated separation testing equipment. Production is vertically integrated in a one-stop system covering material procurement, die making, metal processing, assembly, and quality inspection. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 (since 2001) and ISO 14001:2015 (obtained 2025) certifications, and supplies world-recognized global fashion and apparel brands.

Maruyama generates revenue through direct B2B hardware sales of metal snap buttons and related fasteners, sold exclusively through direct field sales to corporate customers in apparel, bags, footwear, wallets, industrial products, automotive interiors, marine, and nursing care applications. Approximately 99% of revenue comes from existing corporate customers, with no retail or e-commerce channels. Sales operations run from offices in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Fukuyama, with the Tokyo office visited three or more times per week. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined via direct quotation based on product specifications, customization requirements, and order volume. The company is privately held with 50 employees, registered capital of 30 million JPY, and operates a Chinese manufacturing joint venture (Jiaxing Kafeng Metal Products Co., Ltd., established 2002).

Name

Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company

Legal name

丸山金属工業株式会社 (Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company)

Website

https://maruyama-metal-mfg.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1909 as Japan's first snap button maker, Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company designs and produces 3,000+ variants of precision metal snap fasteners and related hardware for direct B2B sale to global apparel, bag, footwear, wallet, automotive, and industrial manufacturers, serving world-renowned fashion brands from its Funabashi, Chiba headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Fasteners and Snap Buttons

NAICS

Fastener, Button, Needle, and Pin Manufacturing (339993)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Fasteners & Closures (Zippers/Snaps/Hooks & Eyes/Hook-and-Loop) (IMAOALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Buttons & Buckles Manufacturing (Buttons/Toggles/Buckles/Slides) (IMAOALAB)

Keywords

• Metal snap buttons
• Metal fasteners manufacturing
• Apparel hardware components
• Snap button production
• Metal clothing closures

Headquarters

HQ city

Chiba

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Snap Button Manufacturing and Sales: Maruyama Metal Manufacturing generates revenue through the design, manufacture, and sale of metal snap buttons (ホック) and related fasteners. Products are sold directly to apparel, bag, footwear, wallet, and industrial product manufacturers. The company operates B2B with existing corporate customers and offers custom development and prototyping services as part of its sales process. Revenue is generated through product sales, with pricing determined per product type and order volume.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company designs, manufactures, and sells metal snap buttons (ホック) and related fasteners, including eyelets, grommets, packing components, and screw-button combinations. Operating from a one-stop in-house production system covering material procurement, die design and fabrication, processing, assembly, and quality inspection, the company produces over 3,000 product variants serving apparel, bags, footwear, wallets, automotive interiors, marine equipment, and industrial products.

Product overview

Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company is a specialized manufacturer of snap buttons (ホック/スナップボタン), holding the distinction of being Japan's first snap button maker since 1909. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of snap button products including American-style round spring snaps (7501, 7401, 7301, 7050, 4647, 8801, 7101 series), European-style CPT series buttons, and the premium JS Brand line. Beyond standard snap buttons, they offer functional variants including TH (press-to-remove),ユーレックス (slide-type), self-piercing eyelets (SE), packing components (PE), stainless steel products, and screw-button combinations (ビスゲンコ) for industrial applications. The company also provides customizable caps in various sizes, shapes, and finishes. With over 3,000 product varieties and a one-stop production system from material procurement to mold making and assembly, Maruyama serves diverse industries including apparel, bags, footwear, wallets, marine, automotive, industrial products, nursing care, and crime prevention.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JS Brand: Premium snap button brand featuring world-class quality with superior shape, function, texture, stable spring quality, and brilliance. Includes JS-008, JS-101, JS-102, JS-104 product lines.

Products and services

• Snap Buttons - 7501 Series American-style round spring snap buttons; the 7501 is the world's smallest American-style round spring snap button featuring stable spring tension and durability despite its thin profile. Used by apparel manufacturers.
• Snap Buttons - 7401 Series Small snap buttons with sweet and light spring tension, suitable for thin fabrics without risk of fabric damage. Used by apparel manufacturers.
• Snap Buttons - 7301 Series American-style standard snap buttons suitable for thin to thick fabrics, known for strong spring tension and durability as world-class premium products.
• Snap Buttons - 7050 Series The quintessential American-style round spring snap button, made continuously since the company's founding in 1909. Used in apparel, transportation, and automotive applications.
• Snap Buttons - 4647 Series Deluxe self-piercing snap button requiring no fabric piercing, with stable spring tension and superior durability. Used by bag and heavy-material manufacturers.
• Snap Buttons - 8801 Series The smallest snap button combining European and American styles, featuring a thin design with sharp shape and resilient spring tension. Used by premium apparel and accessory brands.
• Snap Buttons - 7101 Series Snap button combining European-style design aesthetics with American-style round spring stability and durability. Features sharp shape and resilient spring tension.
• CPT Series Snap Buttons European-style snap buttons with stylish simple design, available in soft touch variants (CPT-33, CPT-55) and firm spring tension variants (CPT-10), featuring carefully selected ring materials.
• JS Brand Premium Snap Buttons Premium snap button line meeting global market quality requirements, including JS-008 (world's smallest American style), JS-101 (sweet/light spring), JS-102 (standard American round spring), and JS-104 (American round spring icon). Features superior shape, function, texture, stable spring tension, and brilliant shine.
• Stainless Steel Snap Buttons and Reinforcement Fittings Stainless steel snap buttons utilizing corrosion resistance for harsh industrial environments, featuring reliable firm spring tension and superior durability. Includes stainless steel reinforcement fittings.
• TH Functional Snap Buttons Functional snap buttons that cannot be removed without pressing, used in nursing care products, crime prevention, automotive, and other applications.
• Yulex Slide-Type Snap Buttons Directional slide-type functional snaps that open and close when slid, used in bags, automotive, crime prevention, and casual/sports wear.
• SE Self-Piercing Eyelets Self-piercing eyelets requiring no fabric piercing, available in 9 sizes for ventilation, drainage, and cord routing applications.
• PE Packing Components Packing components with excellent compatibility between snaps and fabric, featuring special surface treatment for thin materials while ensuring secure attachment.
• Bisu Genko Screw Buttons Combination of snaps with bolts and screws for attachment to metal and wood, enabling creative uses for outdoor, DIY, and industrial applications.
• Snap Button Caps Customizable snap caps in various sizes, shapes, finishes, and engraving designs, including painted caps, nylon caps, and original engraved caps.
• Reinforcement Grommets Reinforcement grommets for fabric holes in various sizes and materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• World top-level quality maintained in spring feel and durability, as certified by ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jiaxing Kaho Metal Products Co., Ltd. (嘉興環豊金属製品有限公司)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2002Maruyama established a Chinese joint venture company, Jiaxing Kaho Metal Products Co., Ltd., on November 15, 2002, to support manufacturing operations and expand presence in the Chinese market. The company subsequently increased its investment in Kaho Metal by 41 million JPY in 2004, bringing the total investment to 65 million JPY. This joint venture enables Maruyama to conduct production activities in China and serve the growing Asian market.
• Jiaxing Yuka Metal Products Co., Ltd. (嘉興優佳金属製品有限公司)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1999Maruyama began business dealings with Jiaxing Yuka Metal Products Co., Ltd. in 1999, expanding its distribution and manufacturing network in China prior to the formal establishment of the Jiaxing Kaho joint venture.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wah Fung Group: Hong Kong-based manufacturer of metal snap buttons, jeans buttons, eyelets, and rivets serving global apparel and fashion brands. Comparable in core product (metal snap buttons), customer base (apparel manufacturers), and Asia-based manufacturing footprint.
• Prym Group: Prym is a long-established German manufacturer of fasteners, snap buttons, press fasteners, and haberdashery products for apparel, leather goods, and technical textiles. It directly competes with Maruyama in premium metal snap buttons across Europe and globally, and shares the heritage/niche positioning.
• Morito Co., Ltd. Japanese apparel trims and accessories manufacturer producing snap buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, interlinings, and other garment components. Directly comparable as a Japanese B2B supplier of snap fasteners and apparel trims serving similar domestic and global fashion customers.
• YKK Group: YKK is the world's largest manufacturer of fastening products, including zippers, snaps, buttons, and plastic/rigid fasteners serving apparel, bags, and industrial markets globally. It is the most direct and significant competitor to Maruyama in metal snap buttons, with the scale and global footprint that Maruyama lacks.
• Scovill Fasteners (HK) / Hangzhou Scovill: Scovill is one of the oldest Western snap button manufacturers (founded in the 1800s), now with manufacturing operations in Asia. Directly comparable in metal snap button manufacturing heritage, product range (jeans buttons, snaps, rivets), and apparel/leather goods customer base.
• Cobrax (Lampo): Italian manufacturer specializing in metal snap buttons and fasteners for the premium fashion and leather goods industry. Comparable to Maruyama in product focus (high-quality metal snaps), customer base (European luxury fashion brands), and boutique manufacturer positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Nifco Inc. Major Japanese manufacturer of plastic fasteners, clips, and industrial components primarily serving automotive and consumer goods markets. While not focused on apparel snap buttons, Nifco competes at the broader fastener and components category and represents the scale benchmark Maruyama lacks.

Emerging players

• Jiaxing Yujia Metal Products Co. (partner-level): Chinese metal fastener manufacturer with which Maruyama has had a trading relationship since 1999. Comparable as an Asian metal snap/button producer serving apparel markets, and represents the lower-cost competitive threat in the region.
• ASF Group (Aoyama Fastener): Japanese apparel fastener and trim manufacturer producing snaps, eyelets, and metal accessories for domestic apparel customers. Comparable niche specialty position with a Japanese B2B customer base, though generally serving mid-market rather than premium global fashion brands.

Regional players

• Foshan Nanhai Yuelong Metal Products Co. Chinese manufacturer of metal snap buttons and fasteners serving Asian apparel markets. Comparable in product (metal snaps) and Asia-based manufacturing but primarily serves regional Chinese brands rather than global premium fashion brands like Maruyama's customer base.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/maruyama_1909
• Facebookfacebook.com/maruyamametalmfg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaye-dee-marking

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Maruyama Metal Manufacturing Company