Featuring Hiroki Ito,
President of ETO MESH Co., Ltd.

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Creating Products That Meet the Expectations of Both Clients and Users

ETO MESH Co., Ltd. handled the bending process for the metal components used in the frying pan handles of this WAHEI eNZO product.

The material used was square wire, commonly known as flat bar, which is not often used in household products.

We spoke with Hiroki Ito, President of ETO MESH Co., Ltd., about the strength behind the company’s products and the ideas that guide its approach to manufacturing.

It All Started with a Titanium Catcher’s Mask

ETO MESH Co., Ltd. originally processed wire materials and manufactured household products.

Then, quite unexpectedly, the company received a request to see whether it could bend a durable titanium wire material—one strong enough to be used in aircraft and rocket components.

The material was so strong that it would break during the bending process, and even the manufacturer advised against bending it.

Mr. Ito spent a full month working closely with the material.

As he continued the process, he carefully studied the material’s unique characteristics and provided feedback to the manufacturer each time he discovered something through bending.

Through this process, the company established a bending technology unlike that of any other company.

Products That Are Easy to Make Do Not Have to Be Made by Us

ETO MESH Co., Ltd. does not have its own original product line. Instead, the company focuses exclusively on made-to-order products.

At the prototype stage, clients often bring highly challenging requests. When product development begins from the design side, some ideas can be difficult to realize from a technical specification standpoint.

However, these are exactly the moments when craftsmanship comes into play—finding the best possible solution through hands-on trial and error.

For the WAHEI eNZO series as well, the company repeated this process of testing and refinement.

“It is very valuable for us when a wholesaler works with us on product development. We also welcome difficult requests.

Because we receive difficult requests, we are encouraged to incorporate materials and technologies from other fields, and to consider introducing new machinery.

Of course, this also helps us improve our technical capabilities.

For simple jobs that anyone can do, I do not think they need to come to us.”

Working Together to Energize Tsubame-Sanjo

Although the average age of the company’s employees is around 50, craftspeople of a wide range of ages, from 24 to 70, work at the factory.

Each person has their own assigned role, and a sharp sense of focus fills the workplace during operations.

Even when using machines, every process is adjusted by people according to the weather of the day and the condition of the materials.

“We are still learning and growing every day. Craftspeople continue to work and improve throughout their lives.

By bringing the quality sought by the WAHEI eNZO brand into tangible form, we hope to work together as a region to energize Tsubame-Sanjo,” Mr. Ito said with a smile.

At the same time, he also shared the challenges the company faces today, saying, “We cannot continue simply by making good products.”

In today’s society, where products are abundant, manufacturers must also consider how products are sold and presented in order to continue making things.

The WAHEI eNZO series is a brand created through collaboration between factories and wholesalers in Tsubame-Sanjo, in pursuit of better manufacturing.

It brings together products that are not only easy for users to use, but also make full use of the makers’ technical capabilities and carry the dedication of the craftspeople behind them.

Discover the WAHEI eNZO Nitrided Carbon Steel Frying Pan