Vector Co., Ltd.

What Vector Co., Ltd. does

Vector Co., Ltd. (ベクトル株式会社) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer specializing in dot peen marking machines (打刻式マーキング装置/刻印機), headquartered in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with roots going back more than 30 years through its predecessor Ando Electric (安藤電気). The company designs, manufactures, and sells marking systems that physically indent characters, serial numbers, and 2D codes (DataMatrix, QR, Micro QR) into metal and hard plastic surfaces via four actuation methods — air pen (pneumatic), electromagnetic pen, ultrasonic pen (50,000Hz, patented in the US and Japan), and a multi-pen system with up to four simultaneous styluses (patented wear-equalization and fail-safe operation). The product lineup spans compact handheld units (VM2010/VM2020/VM2140), mid-range systems (VM1210/VM1210AS1), high-power and floating-mechanism models (VM3710A/VM3770A/VM6040), and the patented ultrasonic VM7830B.

Vector operates a direct sales model in Japan through its headquarters and an East Japan Sales Office in Tokyo, supported by regional remote contact points, dedicated phone lines for sales/service/development, and a free test marking service that lets customers send workpieces for sample marking before purchase. Go-to-market is consultative and enterprise-oriented, with demand generated through an extensive content-marketing footprint (Japanese blog/Topics, YouTube, X, Instagram, English-language site), trade show participation across Japan (Manufacturing World Osaka, MECT, Automotive World, Chubu Unique Solution Fair, etc.), and OEM/end-user customer segments spanning automotive parts, metalworking, precision instruments, railway, shipbuilding, construction, and agricultural machinery. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Revenue comes primarily from hardware sales of marking machines, accessories (styli, interface cables, stands), and spare parts/service, with consumables (e.g., styli) representing a recurring revenue layer. In September 2025, Vector expanded its product surface by becoming the exclusive Japan distributor for Italian manufacturer Automator S.r.l., adding Class 1 laser markers (UBI Basic), battery-powered portable dot markers (ADP2560BA), and manual impact presses (MB15) — converting Vector from a single-technology specialist into a multi-technology domestic marking solutions provider.

Name

Vector Co., Ltd.

Legal name

ベクトル株式会社

Website

https://vecc.jp

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Vector Co., Ltd. (ベクトル株式会社) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer of dot peen marking machines, serving industrial customers in automotive, metalworking, precision instruments, and heavy machinery with permanent, indented traceability marking on metal and hard surfaces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Marking Equipment

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Labeling, Coding & Marking Systems (IMAHAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser) (IMALAOAD), Security, Tamper-Evident & Track-and-Trace Printing (IMALAKAJ)

Keywords

• Dot peen marking
• Industrial marking machines
• Metal part marking
• Permanent part identification
• 2D code marking

Headquarters

HQ city

Kosai City (湖西市)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marking Machine (刻印機) Product Sales: Vector designs, develops, manufactures, and sells dot peen marking machines. Products include air pen, electromagnetic pen, ultrasonic pen, and multi-pen types, along with optional accessories (styli, handles, interface cables, marking stands). The company also began distributing Automator (Italy) laser markers and impact presses as a Japan-exclusive distributor from September 2025.
2. Spare Parts, Consumables, and After-Sales Service: Sales of replacement styli, interface cables, and other accessories. Service department handles repairs, maintenance support, and technical consultations. The company offers a consumable stylus-only model for ultrasonic pens.
3. Free Test Marking Service (お試し刻印): Free test marking service where customers send workpieces for sample刻印. This is a pre-sales service that leads to product sales rather than a revenue stream itself.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Vector Co., Ltd. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells dot peen marking machines (打刻式マーキング装置) that use pneumatic, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, or multi-pen mechanisms to permanently indent characters, serial numbers, and 2D codes (QR, DataMatrix, Micro QR) directly into metal and hard plastic surfaces. The company serves Japanese industrial customers in automotive, metalworking, precision instruments, construction machinery, and tools sectors, and since September 2025 also distributes Italian Automator's laser markers, battery-powered portable markers, and manual impact presses as exclusive Japan distributor.

Product overview

Vector Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of dot peen marking machines (ドット刻印機/マーキング装置) developed, designed, manufactured, and sold in Japan. The product portfolio centers on contact-type dot peen marking systems that use pneumatic, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, or multi-pen mechanisms to indent characters, serial numbers, and 2D codes (QR, DataMatrix, Micro QR) directly into metal and hard plastic surfaces for permanent, indelible marking. The core lineup includes compact handheld models (VM2010, VM2020, VM2140), mid-range standard models (VM1210, VM1210AS1), wide-area/high-power models (VM3710A, VM3770A), high-throughput multi-pen systems (VM1250), and ultrasonic-pen systems (VM7830B), all sharing a common architectural pattern of separate mechanism unit (機構部) and control unit (制御部) with various interface options. The VM6040 occupies a higher-end tier with built-in full-color HMI. In 2025, the company expanded into laser marking through a distribution partnership with Italian manufacturer Automator (UBI Basic laser markers, ADP2560BA portable markers, MB15 impact press). All products serve industrial traceability, quality control, and anti-counterfeiting applications across automotive, machinery, and manufacturing sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dot Peen Marking (DPM): The company's core marking technology — dot pin (打刻式) marking machines that use pneumatic or electromagnetic vibration to create durable, indelible marks on metal and other hard surfaces. The company also refers to this technology as 'Dot Peen Marking' (DPM) in its English communications.

Products and services

• VM1210AS1 Air Pen Marking System (VM1210AS1 エアペンマーキング装置) Air-pen-driven dot peen marking system with 160×30mm marking range and high-speed capability — marks 10 characters in approximately 3 seconds, 3× faster than predecessor VM1210. Supports 2D codes (QR, DataMatrix), serial numbering, date/time marking, and arc marking. Targeted at industrial manufacturers requiring high-throughput, wide-area permanent marking.
• VM1210 Air Pen Marking System (VM1210 エアペンマーキング装置) Standard air-pen dot peen marking system with 80×30mm marking range, supporting 3 types of 2D codes (DataMatrix, QR Code, Micro QR Code). Features front-panel control layout for easy installation and operation. Designed for industrial marking of serial numbers, lot numbers, and 2D codes.
• VM1250 Multi-Pen Marking System (VM1250 マルチペンマーキング装置) Multi-pen dot peen marking system using up to 4 styluses simultaneously to reduce marking time to less than half compared to single-pen models. Features patent-pending stylus wear balancing and fault-tolerance — continues marking if one stylus fails. Designed for high-volume industrial production lines.
• VM2010 Air Pen Marking System (VM2010 エアペンマーキング装置) Compact air-pen marking system with 50×20mm marking area, weighing approximately 1.4kg. Designed for cost-sensitive applications requiring alphanumeric and simple symbol marking; supports optional handle for handheld operation. Targets small factories and light-duty industrial use.
• VM2020 Air Pen Marking System (VM2020 エアペンマーキング装置) Compact air-pen marking system with the largest marking area (60×30mm) among Vector's compact models, weighing approximately 1.6kg. Supports 2D code marking, vertical/horizontal control unit mounting, and optional handle for portable marking. Targets small-to-medium factory applications.
• VM2140 Electromagnetic Pen Marking System (VM2140 電磁ペンマーキング装置) Electromagnetic-pen dot peen marking system — compact handheld design (weight ~1.3kg, 135×155×88mm), no air source required, powered by standard 100V/200V outlet. Features 30×15mm marking area, 2D code support, and front-panel program selection (63 programs). Targets customers needing portable marking without compressed air infrastructure.
• VM3710A Air Pen Marking System (VM3710A エアペンマーキング装置) High-end air-pen marking system with 100×100mm marking area and floating mechanism that allows the pen to follow curved, R-surfaced, and cast surfaces with consistent marking pressure. Targets manufacturers marking on irregular or curved surfaces.
• VM3770A High Power Air Pen Marking System (VM3770A ハイパワーペンマーキング装置) High-power air-pen marking system with significantly enhanced stylus impact force for deep, clear marking on hard materials such as cast iron and heat-treated steel. Optimized for 2D code marking with uniform dot quality and readability. Targets heavy industry and iron-rich workpiece applications.
• VM6040 Electromagnetic Pen Marking System (VM6040 電磁ペンマーキング装置) Electromagnetic-pen marking system with 14-level marking force adjustment, 60×60mm marking area, full-color LCD display with integrated keyboard for standalone operation (no PC required). Supports Parallel I/O, RS-232C, USB 2.0 (Type-A ×3, Type-B ×1), and Ethernet. Targeted at standalone production line integration.
• VM7830B Ultrasonic Pen Marking System (VM7830B 超音波ペンマーキング装置) Ultrasonic-pen marking system (patented in US and Japan) using 50,000Hz vibration — above human audible range — for low-noise operation. No air source required. Features 3-level marking power adjustment; consumable part is stylus only. Targets noise-sensitive and air-infrastructure-free industrial environments.
• Automator UBI Basic Laser Marker (オートメーター UBI Basic レーザーマーカー) Class 1 cabin-integrated fiber laser marker distributed by Vector in Japan as part of exclusive Automator S.r.l. partnership; Automator's best-selling model, capable of high-speed marking on metals and plastics with design-capable fine engraving.
• Automator ADP2560BA Portable Dot Marker (ADP2560BA ポータブル刻印機) Battery-powered portable dot peen marking machine from Automator, distributed in Japan by Vector, enabling cable-free marking anywhere — suitable for large parts requiring marking at multiple locations.
• Automator MB15 Impact Press (MB15 インパクトプレス) Manual lever-operated impact press from Automator, distributed by Vector in Japan, using spring or pneumatic force for deep, high-visibility marking. Offers strong impact with reliable, consistent results.

Quantifiable outcome

• VM1210AS1 can mark 10 characters in approximately 3 seconds (3x faster than previous air pen models)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Automator S.r.l. (イタリア)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2025Vector became the exclusive Japan distributor (日本総代理店) for Automator S.r.l. of Italy on September 25, 2025. The partnership adds Automator's laser markers (including UBI Basic Class 1 and NanoVIS series), battery-powered portable dot marking machines (ADP2560BA), and manual impact presses (MB15) to Vector's product lineup. Vector handles both sales and repairs for Automator products in Japan. This expands Vector from a dot-peen-only manufacturer to a full-line marking solutions provider.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gravotech Group: French global leader in marking, engraving, and cutting solutions with dot peen, laser, and mechanical engraving systems. Larger and broader than Vector, but competes head-to-head in industrial traceability and identification applications across automotive and metalworking.
• FOBA (Alltec Angewandte Laserlicht Technologie GmbH): German/US manufacturer of laser marking systems for industrial traceability applications. FOBA is a broader incumbent in the marking equipment space, focusing on laser (vs. Vector's dot peen) but serving overlapping automotive and industrial customers.
• Trumpf Laser Marking: German global industrial laser and machine tools manufacturer with a laser marking systems business. Trumpf is a broad incumbent offering high-end laser marking for industrial traceability, competing with Vector's dot peen approach via an alternative technology.
• Keyence Corporation: Japanese global leader in industrial automation sensors, marking systems, and machine vision. Keyence's laser marking and code-reading portfolio competes with Vector's dot peen offerings in Japanese factories, with broader instrumentation capabilities.

Direct peers

• Telesis Technologies: US manufacturer of dot peen marking systems and pin marking machines, with a comparable product focus on permanent industrial marking for traceability. Telesis is a direct peer serving similar automotive and aerospace customers with overlapping technology.
• Technomark: French manufacturer of dot peen and laser marking systems, focused on industrial part marking and traceability — directly comparable to Vector's core product line. Like Vector, Technomark offers both benchtop and integrated marking solutions for automotive and metalworking customers.
• SIC Marking: French-headquartered global manufacturer of dot peen and laser marking equipment, with a product portfolio and applications (traceability, industrial part marking) that closely overlap Vector's. SIC Marking is a direct peer in the same product category serving similar automotive and metalworking customers worldwide.
• Markator AB: Swedish manufacturer of dot peen marking machines (and laser marking), competing directly with Vector in permanent industrial part marking. Markator is a similarly sized European specialist focused on industrial traceability applications.
• Pryor Marking Technology: UK-based manufacturer of dot peen marking machines and serial number marking systems. Pryor is a direct peer in the dot peen marking category with comparable automotive, aerospace, and industrial traceability applications.

Others

• Automator S.r.l. Italian manufacturer of marking equipment (laser markers, dot peen, impact presses) and Vector's exclusive Japan distribution partner since September 2025. Automator is a peer-as-partner: its product portfolio overlaps directly with Vector's, but the relationship is now strategic distribution rather than direct head-to-head competition in Japan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/vectorcoltd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCC8HxgSJLa2lYyEokpDweYg
• Instagraminstagram.com/dot_kokuin_vecc_jp

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 Vector Co., Ltd.