Proud to be one of the most established manufacturers for public works projects and private factories in Kochi. We won't be satisfied with just being satisfied.
We will manufacture user-friendly products which customers may not know they need yet.

Yokogawa Tekkosho Ltd.

1 chome 4-23, Hagimachi
Kochi City, Kochi, JAPAN 780-8006

Tel 088-831-1786
Fax 088-831-1931

Founded: 1946
Homepage: http://www.yokotetu.com/

<Main Business>
Manufacture of steel products, ironwork, construction work (steel frame buildings, installation of machinery and equipment, construction, piping work)

Make something useful out of unwanted things

Founder Tatsuji Yokogawa is the father of the current president. Tatsuji was born in 1916, and worked for a steel mill in Kochi Prefecture during the war making products ordered by the military. He experienced the devastation of war, so he developed a special mindset to take good care of "things." He decided to start his own business after the war because he wanted to make good use of the iron scrap found in burned-down rubble, using the skills and knowledge learned from the experience of working in a steel mill.

He had a strong belief that one could "make something useful out of unwanted things." That was the reason why he started the business in 1946. Initially, he specialized in metal casting work. Later, he received orders from major companies for plate and welding work. The company continued to develop as a manufacturer during the period of Japan' s postwar recovery.

From forging to steel work

The current president, Seiichi Yokogawa, was born in 1943. He grew up seeing his father work in the factory every day. He committed himself to be his father's successor at the age of 19. His father became ill after many years of hard work, so he thought even more about being responsible for the business and became the second president of the company in 1976 at the age of 33. The company's name was changed from Yokogawa Chukosho Ltd. to Yokogawa Tekkosho Ltd. in 1979. After he renovated the plate work factory and built a new machinery factory in 1983, he began accepting orders to manufacture and repair plants. The company got licensed to manufacture ceiling cranes and was also authorized to do construction. He cherishes the factories and facilities his father left him and maintains them well so they can continue to be in use.

(Photo: President Seiichi Yokogawa)

Revolutionary product for water gate operation

The company has been making a strong effort to develop disaster prevention products. Disaster prevention for rivers is very important for Kochi Prefecture, which suffers frequent flooding. When rivers overflow due to a tsunami or flooding, we cannot depend on electric power to operate water gates because there may be a power outage. In such an emergency, most of the control of water gates, dams and irrigation ditches are done manually. It is heavy work requiring a lot of physical labor in heavy rain or inclement weather, making it even more difficult and important.

The removable gate operating equipment WIND UP has been developed to overcome such problems. After two years of planning and development, the machine received the Encouragement Award of the 27th Kochi Local Industry Grand Prize. It has been attracting consumer interest as a machine which eliminates all of the heavy work needed in the past. The WIND UP can be used for a variety of water gates by mounting an attachment that accepts all kinds of handles. It weighs less than 10 kg so it is easy to carry. It is also self-supporting and has an easy height adjustment system. No electric power is required. The machine uses regular gasoline and works for 40 minutes on a full tank.

This product is a breakthrough which Yokogawa Tekkosho planned, designed and manufactures. The WIND UP was placed in 22 locations, such as water gates and dams, throughout the country by spring 2014 and has suffered no major problems so far. It receives only praise, such as, "It made the work easier in emergencies." It costs less than conventional equipment and has broad utility. The company wants to expand sales of the product not only domestically but to overseas as well. "In a critical situation, we can not rely on electrical power. Manpower is the last resort," the engineers of Yokogawa Tekkosho say proudly.

(Right Photo: Portable WIND UP Gate Operating System)

Temporary shelter

"If you don't have it, make it. Manufacturing will break new ground in the future." This is the corporate philosophy of Yokogawa Tekkosho. We are very thankful for orders for products which work to protect people's lives. In addition to making anti-flood products, the company also makes a strong effort to develop seismic countermeasures.

When there is an earthquake, falling objects in factories and construction sites pose a danger to workers. Shelters in which the workers can seek safety largely decrease injuries at the initial quake. We have developed a temporary shelter with that in mind. It has a domed roof made of steel plate, and doesn't have a door because it is only for temporary use. If there is a door, it might be blocked by fallen objects. The workers can escape to safety by leaving the shelter after the initial tremor subsides. The shelter shown here in the photo has been made to order for Inoue Calcium Corporation in Nankoku City, and is located at their main plant.

Our products are custom-made, not pre-fabricated. All of the shelters are made to the size and specifications that suit the needs of each site. We would like to continue manufacturing many more shelters.

(Photo: Temporary shelter installed at the main plant of Inoue Calcium Corporation)

Dumpster with front-loading double doors

The company is working to develop user-friendly items for everyday life, not limited to disaster-related products. One of them is a dumpster with front-loading double doors. The photo shows a dumpster designed for a multi-family apartment building in Kochi City that was ordered by the landlord.

Dumpsters commonly have a door on top, and one has to lift it to open and then push it all the way to the back. The door is made of steel so it is pretty heavy. It is dangerous because it falls down with a crash when it is half-closed. Elderly people and children may have difficulty opening and closing the door and risk injury. There can also be accidents caused by the wires supporting the door.

However, the front-loading double doors of our dumpsters can be opened very smoothly and without much effort. The hinges connect the doors to the body of the dumpster, eliminating accidents caused by wire connections. It is truly easy to use. This is another breakthrough product that the philosophy and technology of Yokogawa Tekkosho has created.

(Photo: Dumpster with front-loading double doors installed at a multi-family apartment building in Kochi City)

Following his father's dreams

Seiichi Yokogawa, the second president of the company, and his wife often tell stories about his father. The founder dreamed of building his own factory when he was younger, and expressed his dreams by saying, "I want to have my own chimney." The couple keep memories of the father in their hearts. He started the business at the age of 30, when Japan was still in the middle of postwar chaos. Some changes took place during the time of Japan's high economic growth, and it became difficult for the company to attract major firms as clients. However, the expertise, knowledge, and know-how involved in manufacturing did not change.

Yokogawa says, "There was a time when we simply made what was ordered and manufactured products based on the drawings done by major companies. Now, we propose ideas to clients. Each of our products are made to order so there is nothing like them anywhere else." Based on that premise, a design and planning department was added to the company. Yokogawa strongly believes that the development of products based on local needs is essential from now on. The WIND UP is exactly the type of product born out of that belief.