Around 1955 (Showa 30)
Since then, an integrated production from dyeing to weaving started.
Message from the President
The Ibara area is blessed with abundant water and a mild climate, so growing raw cotton and indigo has prospered since the days of old. Therefore, textile manufacturing developed and indigo-dyeing thick textile fabric spread throughout the country as specialty products. Starting around 1965, yarn-dyed denim production became active and accounted for 70% of jeans production in Japan. However, due to the weak yen and the influx of low-priced overseas products, the manufacturing area in Ibara shrunk. Traditional techniques are still concentrated in Ibara. Our denim is valued highly by domestic and overseas brands.
Our company was established in 1917 as a weaving establishment of bitchu kokura textile. I entered our company in 1974 right after graduating from the college. I realized that the area of textile production was declining when I entered the company. I was astonished to see Toscana in Italy. Low cost production areas gather strength, and most weaving companies with labor division systems were driven out of business. Only 5 companies were left. All of the 5 companies had integrated production equipment. I thought that the same situation would occur in Japan in the near future, so I started investment in plant and equipment.
Our company entered full-scale denim production around 1985, which was very late. My friend working at an apparel brand told me about denim, and I was inspired by his story. At that time, denim was in mass production by high-speed weaving machines. I discovered that we would be able to produce original high value added products by using our old-style weaving machines. We may have been able to open a new path because we started denim production later than other companies.
We continue to strive for establishing further integrated production system and improving technology so as to meet our customers’ needs. We also enhance product development and market development in Japan and other companies. We aim to deliver our high value added denim made in Japan to the world.
Kawai Shinji
President and Representative Member of the Board
Our company was established in 1917 as a weaving establishment of bitchu kokura textile. I entered our company in 1974 right after graduating from the college. I realized that the area of textile production was declining when I entered the company. I was astonished to see Toscana in Italy. Low cost production areas gather strength, and most weaving companies with labor division systems were driven out of business. Only 5 companies were left. All of the 5 companies had integrated production equipment. I thought that the same situation would occur in Japan in the near future, so I started investment in plant and equipment.
Our company entered full-scale denim production around 1985, which was very late. My friend working at an apparel brand told me about denim, and I was inspired by his story. At that time, denim was in mass production by high-speed weaving machines. I discovered that we would be able to produce original high value added products by using our old-style weaving machines. We may have been able to open a new path because we started denim production later than other companies.
We continue to strive for establishing further integrated production system and improving technology so as to meet our customers’ needs. We also enhance product development and market development in Japan and other companies. We aim to deliver our high value added denim made in Japan to the world.
Kawai Shinji
President and Representative Member of the Board
Corporate Data
Company History
| 1917 (Taisho 6) | Nihon Menpu Limited Partnership Corporation was established. Started as a cotton kokura textile manufacturer. |
|---|---|
| 1920 (Taisho 9) | The organization was changed into a company. Fabric production of ladies’ and children’s wear using an integrated process from dyeing to weaving commenced. |
| 1926 (Taisho 15) | We pride ourselves in having had our fabric used as a gift to the crown prince (the Emperor Showa later), son of the Emperor Taisho. |
| 1955 (Showa 30) | We discontinued being a subcontractor and started sales of our products by making use of our integrated production equipment. |
| 1960 (Showa 35) | We started production by order by planning and proposing textiles. We developed production by order system by selling fabric made of purchased yarn. |
| 1985 (Showa 60) | We started denim production in addition to the conventional women’s and children’s fabric production. |
| 1997 (Heisei 9)/th> | Newly-built Sanforize equipment established an integrated production system up to the finishing process. |
| 2004 (Heisei 16) | Washing equipment was newly installed. An integrated production system including piece dyeing and washing process was established with circular and jigger equipment. |
| 2007 (Heisei 19) | Our weaving factory, dyeing factory, office, and dining hall were designated as Heritage of Industrial Modernization of the cotton industry of Ibara City by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. |
| 2009 (Heisei 21) | A state-of-the-art rope dyeing machine was newly added to enable various types of dyeing. |
| 2014 (Heisei 26) | A spun sizing machine (sizing machine) was newly installed to establish an integrated denim production system. |
| 2016 (Heisei 28) | 3 new Jacquard looms were installed to cover any Jacquard textile from high to low yarn counts. |
Photo
1926 (Taisho 15)
We pride ourselves in having had our fabric used as a gift to the crown prince (the Emperor Showa later), son of the Emperor Taisho.
We pride ourselves in having had our fabric used as a gift to the crown prince (the Emperor Showa later), son of the Emperor Taisho.
2007 (Heisei 19)
Our weaving factory, dyeing factory, office, and dining hall were designated as Heritage of Industrial Modernization of the cotton industry of Ibara City by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Our weaving factory, dyeing factory, office, and dining hall were designated as Heritage of Industrial Modernization of the cotton industry of Ibara City by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Vending machine at our company
Globally recognized Ibara denim
Welcome to Ibara, home of jeans.
Nihon Menpu’s jeans are also sold at D#THESTORE.
To Details of D#THESTORE
Globally recognized Ibara denim
Welcome to Ibara, home of jeans.
Nihon Menpu’s jeans are also sold at D#THESTORE.
To Details of D#THESTORE