Company Information
MessagePresident's Message
President Director
Yoichi Muramoto
Muramoto Industry Co., Ltd. was founded in Kobe in 1935 and has been supported by numerous customers for over 80 years.
We have upheld the spirit and teachings of our founder, Itaro Muramoto, and have always prioritized manufacturing from the customer's perspective, with all employees collaborating to take on new challenges.
With the support of many customers, we have evolved into the Muramoto Group we are today by taking on the manufacturing and processing of a wide range of products. Initially focused on the pressing of metal parts, we have expanded into die manufacturing, plastic molding, surface mounting, exterior finishing, and assembly work.
In 1987, we began our first overseas expansion by establishing a local subsidiary in Thailand. By responding quickly to market changes and consistently meeting our customers' needs, we have grown our network to include six countries primarily located in Southeast Asia.
Recent years, however, the global situation has changed dramatically. We are now in an era where corporate social responsibility in respect to multi-faceted issues is essential, especially regarding global climate change and initiatives related to business and human rights.
Our company is addressing these issues by focusing on four main areas: the environment, safety, human rights, and information security.
First, regarding the environment, we are promoting activities to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of solar power. Our factory in Thailand switched to 100% renewable energy from 2023 and has also obtained I-REC certification.
In terms of safety and information security, we are committed to continuously improving our factory environment and safety systems.
Concerning human rights, we are engaged in activities that align with the latest Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) standards.
We will continue to unite the strengths of the Muramoto Group and strive to become a company that customers can rely on not only for manufacturing but also for ESG.
We look forward to your continued support and guidance.
1935
Founded in Hyogo Ward, Kobe City
Our journey began in 1935 as a private company located in Hyogo Ward, Kobe City.
Itaro Muramoto, the president at the time, had a profound interest in molds. He often emphasized that "materials are the key to molds," which led him to start creating molds using Swedish steel, a material that was rare at the time.
1944
Relocated to Tarumi Ward, Kobe City
1947
Started production of ice candy molds
Overcoming the hardships of the war and the post-war period, we began manufacturing, which has led to the present day.
Our commitment to pursuing technology and quality from the customer's perspective has remained unchanged since our founding.
1950
Started production of deep drawing speakers
At the time, the production of speakers was transitioning from machined aluminum speakers to deep drawing speakers. This shift in production allowed our business to expand into manufacturing radios, communication devices, and in-vehicle products, which we continue to produce today.
1954
Started production of aluminum cases for communication devices
1957
Started production of speakers for the NHK monitors
1958
Reorganized into a limited liability company
1961
Started production of electron guns for CRT TVs
In 1961, as CRT TVs began to appear in homes, Muramoto Industry began producing electron guns.
Muramoto supported the popularization of televisions, which were considered one of the three sacred treasures of the early 1960s, alongside washing machines and refrigerators, by manufacturing their parts. Our contributions supported the lives of people who were becoming wealthier during the period of rapid economic growth.
1963
Started production of car stereo mechanisms (cassettes)
1965
Reorganized into a stock corporation
1965
Started production of kitchen scales (ASSY)
1966
Started production of CRT TV parts (metal shell method)
1970
Started production of video deck chassis
After a customer who had seen Muramoto's cassette decks inquired about the chassis for audio recorders, we decided to start production.
This eventually expanded to include chassis for radio-cassette recorders and video equipment, laying the groundwork for Muramoto's business growth during the video cassette era, which lasted for several decades.
1980
Completed Seishin Factory (current Seishin No. 1 Factory, Nishi-ku, Kobe)
1983
Started production of video deck mechanisms
1987
Established METCO No.1 a subsidiary in Thailand
Itaro Muramoto concluded the congratulatory message he sent for the completion ceremony of METCO, our overseas subsidiary, in 1987 with the words, "Please take good care of your employees."
One of the guests who heard this was so impressed that he remarked, "Muramoto truly cares about his employees."
1989
Started molding business
We started the molding business with outsert products that insert resin pins into the chassis.
1990
Established MAPLE, a subsidiary in the Philippines
During the transition from cassettes to CDs, while our customers focused on developing CD decks as new music playback devices, Muramoto took on the development and production of cassette decks.
As part of this effort, we expanded to the Philippines, the second country in the Muramoto Group.
1990
Established MAP, a subsidiary in Singapore
1990
Completed the METCO No. 2 Factory in Thailand
1992
Started surface mounting
We started surface mounting for cassette deck production.
1992
METCO, the Thai subsidiary, was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand
1993
Established MPT (now MAPLE2), a subsidiary in the Philippines
1994
Achieved 40% global market share in video deck chassis production
1994
Started production of press parts for home appliance magnetrons
1995
Established SIMA, a subsidiary in Thailand
1995
Established MEI, a subsidiary in Indonesia
1996
Established MTM, a subsidiary in Malaysia
1998
Started production of printer mechanisms
The printer business started with the production of paper feed devices at MEI. In line with our customers' production expansion, Muramoto also expanded its business domain, growing into a business that handles everything from finished product assembly to packaging in decorative boxes.
1999
Started production of in-vehicle MD deck mechanisms
1999
Established MUI, a subsidiary in the United States
2000
Started production of in-vehicle in-dash 6-disc CD changers
METCO, which had primarily focused on home appliance parts production, began producing in-vehicle products for the first time. We addressed mold maintenance and quality improvement for transferred molds, solving problems one by one under customer guidance, and made significant progress as a production facility for in-vehicle parts.
2002
Started production of in-vehicle DVD deck mechanisms
2002
Started production of thermal fuses
2002
Started production of bill cassettes for ATMs
2002
Established MTEC as a joint venture in China (Tianjin)
2003
Started production of back covers for plasma TVs
2004
Achieved 60% global market share in in-vehicle in-dash 6-disc CD changer production
2004
Started painting and printing business
We started the painting and printing business when we received orders for unit products that included exterior parts. While struggling with appearance requirements such as color and gloss that we had never dealt with before, we gained experience. Today, we are appreciated by many customers in the consumer electronics and automotive equipment fields as "Muramoto, who can also handle appearance."
2005
Established MME, a subsidiary in Czech Republic
We established MME as our European base. At the time, we were shipping products manufactured in Japan to Europe, but in response to customer requests to produce parts for Europe locally, we expanded into Czech Republic.
2005
Established DME, a subsidiary in Dalian, China
2005
Completed the METCO No. 3 Factory in Thailand
2005
Started production of inkjet printers on an OEM basis at METCO, the Thai subsidiary
2006
Established MMM, a subsidiary in Mexico
2007
Established MSX, a subsidiary in the United States
2007
Established MSM, a subsidiary in Mexico
2009
Merged Philippine subsidiaries MAPLE and MPT
2009
Dissolved DME, subsidiary in Dalian, China
2009
Started TV backlight assembly
2011
Major flooding occurred in Thailand
Flooding that originated in northern Thailand caused damage to customer factories. Fortunately, our METCO and SIMA facilities were not damaged, and we were able to urgently transfer and support production of businesses that were being produced at the affected customer factories at METCO and SIMA. This response was recognized with a special contribution award.
2011
Started production of in-vehicle cameras
2012
Started production of in-vehicle remote keys
We received a consultation from a customer who wanted to produce overseas for cost reduction purposes, and the customer entrusted Muramoto with their first overseas transfer. Although we faced difficulties during startup, we built a production system with customer cooperation, and it has now grown into a business where we can assist from the development stage.
2013
Started production of car navigation panels
We participated in the car navigation panel production project from the early development stage, including participation in design reviews with end users and taking on mass production design, taking a new step forward as a manufacturing partner.
2014
Changed MTEC in China (Tianjin) to an affiliated company due to capital structure changes
2015
80th Anniversary
2017
30th Anniversary of METCO in Thailand
2018
Started distance sensor assembly
2019
Started production of aftermarket AV navigation finished products
We started production of aftermarket AV navigation finished products at MAPLE. Muramoto technicians were dispatched to customer factories to learn independent startup of production lines, further strengthening our manufacturing capabilities for production and inspection equipment automation that we had been working on.
2019
Started production of hearing aids
2019
Dissolved MSX, subsidiary in the United States
2019
Dissolved MSM, subsidiary in Mexico
2020
COVID-19 pandemic occurred
There were factory shutdowns due to lockdowns around the world and sudden changes in consumer demand, but we worked closely with customers to respond to sudden production fluctuations. Within the Muramoto Group, we leveraged our experience of over 30 years of overseas expansion, with Head Office coordinating cooperation among factories to overcome the challenges.
2020
Started production of medical vacuum suction liners
To produce medical vacuum suction liners, SIMA obtained medical device manufacturing licenses and medical device quality management system (ISO13485) certification. This marked our entry into a new field.
