Yajima Industry Co.,Ltd.

What Yajima Industry Co.,Ltd. does

Yajima Industry Co., Ltd. (矢島工業株式会社) is a privately held Japanese Tier-1/Tier-2 automotive parts manufacturer founded in 1951 in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, with roots as a 1934 automobile repair shop. The company designs and manufactures high-precision metal press-formed automotive components — body panels, roof components, floor parts, and seat parts — using proprietary press forming technology accumulated over ~70 years, including capabilities in 120K-class ultra high-tensile steel and metal-CFRP hybrid forming. Its anchor customer is SUBARU (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries), with whom it has maintained a supply relationship since founding, supplemented by other automotive component makers (NHK Spring, H-One, Unipres, G-TEKT), Komatsu in construction machinery, and IHI Aerospace for CFRP jet engine fan panels. The company employs approximately 240 staff at its main plant and roughly 383 group-wide across subsidiaries in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the USA.

The business operates a vertically integrated model spanning mold design and manufacturing (through subsidiary Yajima Engineering Co., Ltd.), press forming with a 12,000kN servo blanking press, robotic welding assembly, and in-house verification/evaluation equipment. A proprietary CFRP press forming method (patented October 2014) achieves a 1/60 reduction in processing time versus autoclave methods and ~50% weight reduction versus steel equivalents, targeting aerospace, medical device, and automotive lightweighting applications. The company also operates the SYMS (Specialist Yajima Motor Sports) aftermarket brand for suspension, mufflers, aero parts, and engine oils, supported by motorsports activity including a 2004 FIA WRC PCWRC championship. Revenue is generated through quote-based B2B contracts with no public pricing or revenue disclosure.

The group holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF16949, and JISQ9100 certifications, plus a Class 2 Medical Device Manufacturing and Sales license (2017). It has received METI subsidies for CFRP R&D and 12,000kN press equipment, and the 2017 Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon was awarded to the chairman for labor administration contributions. The company is family-controlled by the Yokoyama family, with leadership transition from Hiroshi to Atsushi Yokoyama as President in 2012, and has no disclosed external private equity or venture capital backing.

Name

Yajima Industry Co.,Ltd.

Legal name

矢島工業株式会社

Website

https://syms.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yajima Industry Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese Tier-1 automotive parts manufacturer founded in 1951, specializing in high-precision metal press forming, high-tensile steel stamping, and proprietary CFRP composite parts. It supplies SUBARU, Komatsu, IHI Aerospace, and other industrial customers through vertically integrated mold design-to-assembly operations across Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Sheet Metal Parts Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Body Panels, Doors, Hoods & Closures Manufacturing (IMACAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive Interior Comfort & Convenience Components Manufacturing (Armrests/Cupholders/Storage/Interior Hardware) (IMACAKAJ), Metal Airframe Structures & Machined Parts (IMABAEAC)

Keywords

• Automotive sheet metal stamping
• High-tensile steel press forming
• CFRP composite manufacturing
• Automotive mold design
• Aftermarket car parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Ota

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automotive Metal Stamping Parts Manufacturing: Design, development, and manufacturing of automotive sheet metal parts (press, welding, assembly). Core revenue stream as a Tier-1/Tier-2 supplier to major automotive OEMs including SUBARU and other manufacturers. Products include body panels, roof components, floor parts, and seat parts.
2. Aftermarket Parts Brand (SYMS): Design, development, manufacturing and sales of automotive aftermarket parts under the company's own SYMS brand. Includes suspension, mufflers, aero parts, and engine oil sold domestically and internationally. Revenue from direct sales of branded parts to automotive enthusiasts.
3. CFRP Composite Parts Manufacturing: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic products manufacturing including aerospace components (jet engine fan panels since 2020), medical devices, and industrial applications. Emerging revenue stream with growing contribution from aviation sector.
4. Mold Design and Manufacturing (via Yajima Engineering): Precision mold design and manufacturing for press tools, jigs, and special machinery through subsidiary Yajima Engineering. Integrated service supporting in-house production while also serving external customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Yajima Industry manufactures automotive sheet metal parts through high-precision press forming, welding, and assembly, supplying body panels, roof, floor, and seat components to major automotive OEMs (notably SUBARU) and Tier-1 suppliers. The company also produces industrial equipment parts for construction machinery, CFRP composite components for aerospace and medical applications, and SYMS-branded aftermarket automotive parts, with mold design and manufacturing handled by its Yajima Engineering subsidiary.

Product overview

Yajima Industry Co., Ltd. is a development-oriented manufacturer serving as a partner to major automobile manufacturers, specializing in metal processing technology. The company operates a comprehensive production system from die design/development to parts manufacturing, offering three main solution platforms: (1) Automotive Die Design and Sheet Metal Parts Solution for automotive manufacturers, (2) Construction Machinery Sheet Metal and Welding Solution for construction equipment, and (3) CFRP Process Conversion Solution for lightweight composite materials. Supporting operations include the SYMS aftermarket brand, Yajima Engineering subsidiary for die manufacturing, and R&D facilities including wind tunnel testing and power unit development. The portfolio spans from high-tensile steel press forming to advanced CFRP hybrid press forming technologies, addressing weight reduction and vehicle lightweighting needs across automotive, aerospace, construction machinery, and healthcare sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SYMS: After-market automotive parts brand offering suspension, mufflers, aero parts, and engine oil for automotive enthusiasts. Products are sold domestically and internationally.
• SYMS Racing

Products and services

• Automotive Sheet Metal Parts Processing (自動車用板金部品加工) High-precision press processing of automotive sheet metal components including body panels, roof parts, floor parts, and seat parts. Delivers high quality, low cost, and short lead times as a mass production Tier-1/Tier-2 supplier to major automotive OEMs.
• Industrial Equipment Sheet Metal Parts Processing (産業機器用板金部品加工) Manufacturing of sheet metal parts for forklifts and construction specialty vehicles. Accommodates design-to-order production for multi-variety small-lot production. Customers include Komatsu Limited.
• SYMS Aftermarket Parts Brand (SYMS) SYMS aftermarket automotive parts brand offering suspension, mufflers, aero parts, and engine oils sold domestically and overseas via the SYMS Racing retail shop and online channels. Targets automotive enthusiasts and the racing community.
• Press Equipment – 12,000kN Blanking Servo Press (プレス設備) 12,000kN blanking servo press machine capable of processing ultra-high-tensile steel materials. Equipped with 3,500mm x 2,200mm bolster; servo motor control enables variable motion stroke and extended die life; production speed 1.5x faster than conventional machines.
• Assembly Equipment (集成設備) Flexible production lines with robotic welding for automatic assembly, providing flexible response to multi-variety small-lot production needs, including 30+ welding robots.
• Verification and Evaluation Equipment (実証評価設備) Three-dimensional measurement devices, ultrasonic flaw detection testing equipment, and universal material testing machines (5kN-400kN) for conducting verification and evaluation tests on required product performance.
• Automotive Die Design and Sheet Metal Parts Solution (自動車向け金型設計・板金加工ソリューション) Specialized solution for automotive manufacturers offering 3D design-based speed development, short lead time die design and manufacturing in multiple locations (Ota City, Vietnam, Thailand), integrated forming and process aggregation for QCD improvement, and full automation of assembly processes including caulking and welding robots.
• Construction Machinery Sheet Metal and Welding Solution (建設機械向け板金・溶接ソリューション) Specialized solution for construction machinery manufacturers offering multi-variety small-lot press forming and sheet metal processing, welding structure assembly, and dimensional tolerance of ±0.5mm on 20+ component welded assemblies.
• CFRP Process Conversion Solution (CFRP工法転換ソリューション) CFRP mass production solution utilizing press forming technology (SMC, PCM, and metal-CFRP hybrid forming). Achieves approximately 50% weight reduction versus steel, 1/60 processing time versus autoclave methods, and 50-60% cost reduction at 100+ units/month production volumes. Applicable to automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries.
• Yajima Engineering Co., Ltd. – Die Design and Manufacturing (矢島エンジニアリング株式会社) Die design and manufacturing company within the Yajima Group providing 3D die design, CAE/CAM, and die manufacturing. Serves as the group's technical center for high-precision die production and also serves external customers including Tier-1 automotive suppliers.
• Die Design and Manufacturing Services (金型設計製作) Die design and manufacturing services utilizing 3D CAD and solid modeling with stamping simulation and structural analysis to achieve die finishing in one pass. Offers integrated production from die design to mass production.
• CFRP Press-Formed Products (PCM/SMC Press, Hybrid Forming) CFRP press-formed products including engine hoods, trunk lids, B-pillars, and hybrid CFRP-steel structures. Achieves approximately 50% weight reduction compared to equivalent steel parts. Process reduces machining time to 1/60 versus autoclave methods; 30% weight reduction on metal-CFRP hybrid B-pillars with equivalent crash performance.
• Wind Tunnel Testing Facility (風洞実験設備) Göttingen-type horizontal return wind tunnel (19,000L x 9,200W x 2,900H mm) with moving belt apparatus for aerodynamic testing of vehicles and sports equipment. Offers wind tunnel lending services for external customers.
• Power Unit Development (パワーユニット開発) Motorsport power unit research using engine bench testing for engine control unit performance verification and data collection. Dedicated soundproof room for various engine testing and evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~50% weight reduction achievable with CFRP parts compared to equivalent steel components
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Gunma University School of Medicine (群馬大学医学部)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical-engineering collaboration (医工連携) for joint development of radiation diagnostic devices using CFRP materials. The diagnostic device, developed with Gunma University, achieved full CFRP construction with radiation-transparent bed section and patented medical device design. Collaboration demonstrates company's advanced CFRP application capabilities in medical field.
• Overseas Universities (海外大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with overseas universities specializing in cutting-edge technology research for new material and processing technology development. The company's advanced press forming technology supports these collaborative research programs. Focused on lightweight and high-strength material development for automotive applications.
• IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. (IHIエアロスペース)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness relationship started in 2019. Yajima Industry supplies jet engine fan panel components for aerospace applications, achieving mass production starting 2020. Products include GFRP fan panels using SMC press molding for jet engine upstream fan panels.
• Yajima Engineering Co., Ltd. (矢島エンジニアリング)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup subsidiary providing mold design and manufacturing services. Located near Yajima Industry main plant, enabling tight feedback loops and rapid mold development. Supports 3D mold design, CAE/CAM, and precision mold fabrication for automotive press tools. Also provides services to external customers including Tier-1 automotive suppliers.
• A.R.T Co., Ltd. (ART)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated company within Yajima Industry group.
• Yajima Engineering Thailand Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroup subsidiary in Thailand providing mold manufacturing and automotive stamped parts production. Production capacity of 20 molds/month and tandem P line 4,800 punches/shift. Supports regional production for automotive customers with Southeast Asian manufacturing bases.
• Yajima Engineering VietnamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroup subsidiary providing 3D mold design, solid design, FEA (product and structural analysis), and civil engineering design services in Vietnam.
• Yajima USA Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup subsidiary at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) serving as a development technology center for carbon materials and molding technology research. Provides access to advanced academic research and US market development.
• Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (経済産業省)majorOthersReceived government support through multiple programs: (1) Base Technology Advancement Project (基盤技術高度化事業) for CFRP engine hood R&D, (2) Domestic Location Promotion Project (国内立地推進事業) for 12,000kN servo press equipment, and (3) Advanced Technology Verification and Evaluation Equipment Subsidy for measurement/testing building construction.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Toyota Boshoku Corporation: Major Japanese supplier of automotive interior systems, filters, and powertrain components. Overlaps with Yajima in seat parts and interior structural components but operates at significantly larger scale and broader product scope.
• Aisin Corporation: Massive Japanese Tier-1 automotive supplier offering a broad portfolio of drivetrain, body, and chassis components. Larger and more diversified than Yajima but operates in overlapping stamping and assembly spaces; represents the scaled competitive backdrop.

Direct peers

• G-TEKT Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of automotive structural stampings and assemblies, also a Yajima Engineering customer. Directly comparable on press-formed automotive structural components, including high-tensile steel applications for body and chassis parts.
• Unipres Corporation: Major Japanese press-forming automotive supplier serving global OEMs with body and chassis stampings. Comparable to Yajima in press-formed automotive parts and high-tensile steel processing, with similar Tier-1 supplier dynamics and use of Yajima Engineering for tooling.
• Press Kogyo Co., Ltd. Japanese press work specialist producing automotive and construction equipment stampings. Comparable to Yajima across both automotive and construction machinery sheet metal segments, with similar press-forming and welding capabilities.
• H-One Co., Ltd. Japanese automotive stamping manufacturer producing body and structural components for major OEMs. Directly comparable to Yajima in metal press forming for automotive applications, with similar Tier-1/Tier-2 supplier positioning and customer overlap.
• Kikuchi Steel Industry Co., Ltd. Japanese sheet metal press work specialist serving automotive and industrial machinery markets. Comparable to Yajima's industrial equipment sheet metal business with similar multi-variety, small-to-medium volume press work profile.
• Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. Toyota Group-affiliated manufacturer of automotive press parts, exhaust systems, and resin products. Comparable to Yajima in automotive sheet metal stamping with similar high-volume OEM supply relationships and high-tensile steel forming capabilities.

Emerging players

• Teijin Limited: Japanese materials company with significant carbon fiber and CFRP composites business targeting aerospace and automotive applications. Directly comparable to Yajima's CFRP activities, particularly the automotive and aerospace composite component production lines.
• Toray Industries, Inc. Leading Japanese carbon fiber and advanced materials manufacturer with deep aerospace and automotive composite exposure. Comparable as an upstream material and composite technology provider competing with Yajima's CFRP press-formed parts business in similar end-markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Yajima Industry Co.,Ltd.