Nabeya Bi-tech Kaisha

Nabeya Bi-tech Kaisha (鍋屋バイテック), also known as NBK, is a machine component parts manufacturer located in Seki, Gifu, Japan. The company's roots date to 1560, when it began as a metal foundry casting pots, tea kettles and temple bells.

Nabeya Bi-tech Kaisha
TypeLimited Liability Company
IndustryMachinery, metal
Founded1560
FounderTaro-Uemon-i Okamoto
HeadquartersSeki, Gifu, Japan
Key people
Mitsuo Kaneda (President and CEO)
ProductsComponents for machinery
RevenueJPY 8 billion (Total of group)
Number of employees
410 (Total of group)
Websitewww.nbk1560.com/index_en.html

History

NBK’s history dates to 1560,[1] when Taro-Uemon-i Okamoto founded the company.[2][3] In 1749, the Okamotos received from the Imperial Court a license as a caster. They presented the Kyoto Imperial Palace with a lantern and were given the trade name “Nabeya”, that means "Pan(Pot) shop or artisan".[4][5] The Okamotos produced many temple bells in Japan.[6] The main branch of the Okamotos runs Nabeya Co., Ltd. while other branches use “Nabeya” as part of the name of the company which they run. "Bi-tech" stands for "Newest and Traditional 2-technologies", and "Kaisha" means "Company or Corporation".

The company in its current form was incorporated by Tomokichi Okamoto in 1940.[5]

Head office and factory

NBK's head office and main factory, NBK Seki Plant, are located in Seki city, Gifu prefecture.[7] The former President, Taichi Okamoto, wanted the site to be a “garden factory” so it is surrounded by a swimming pool, art museum,[7] bar, sports gym, concert hall and training and conference rooms.

Okamoto believed that management concepts such as management by objectives and pay for performance were contrary to the maximization of creativity and productivity, therefore all employees are not bound by any revenue goals and are allowed to act freely.

In 2007, Okamoto resigned his position as President and became the Chairman of NBK. Mitsuo Kaneda was appointed as his successor. Kaneda is the first ever non-Okamoto family member that has been appointed President since the company was established in 1560.

References
  1. Dooley, Ben; Ueno, Hisako (2 December 2020). "This Japanese Shop Is 1,020 Years Old. It Knows a Bit About Surviving Crises". The New York Times.
  2. Poutziouris, Panikkos; Smyrnios, Kosmas; Goel, Sanjay (January 2013). Handbook of Research on Family Business. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78100-938-3.
  3. Fremy, Olivier; Cheffontaines, Charles de; Chassende-Baroz, Eric; Fontanille, Olivier (10 March 2010). Pratique du lean: Réduire les pertes en conception, production et industrialisation (in French). Dunod. ISBN 978-2-10-055073-9.
  4. Froese, Michelle (27 February 2020). "From cast iron products to fasteners, NBK offers four centuries of experience". Fastener Engineering.
  5. "Corporate History | NBK | The Motion Control Components". www.nbk1560.com.
  6. "The Economist". The Economist Newspaper. 8 March 2008.
  7. "About the Museum | Gi-Co-Ma Gifu Collection of Modern Arts". www.gi-co-ma.or.jp.
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