With roots dating back to 1900, Maruhisa specializes in producing high-quality clothing, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to cater to global markets.
Japan has a strong tradition of high-quality manufacturing, and nowhere is this truer than in the clothing industry. Traditional clothing is an embodiment of the craftsmanship that marks Japanese manufacturers, and one of the companies keeping this skill alive in a modern context is Maruhisa.
Upon its founding in 1900, the company focused on the production of high-quality tabi socks before expanding into the underwear sector. Fifth-generation president Kiminobu Hiraishi oversaw Maruhisa’s movement into the outerwear market, and the company swiftly became the chief supplier of clothing to Japanese retail giant Ito-Yokado.
Machinery in the factory
Key to this success has been Maruhisa’s dedication to establishing its own production lines as opposed to outsourcing. This allows the company to ensure the quality of its products remains optimum, sourcing the highest-quality materials and functioning as an integrated manufacturer that handles design, fabric production, sewing and sales. This expertise covers clothing for babies, children, men and women. Even for inexpensive products, Maruhisa does not reduce its quality, but instead narrows down the elements used to those that are strictly necessary.
Underlying this manufacturing prowess is Maruhisa’s commitment to market research and insights. Mr. Hiraishi explains that dedicated teams handle the different categories of clothing, and merchandisers will research international fashion trends. “This approach has allowed us to always focus on supplying the appropriate product at the appropriate time. It is always based on the needs of the customers,” he adds.
Maruhisa Pacific Co., Ltd
The company’s growth as a specialized manufacturer of cut and sew products has enabled it to expand into Thailand, China and Bangladesh. In the latter, Maruhisa’s factory takes care of knitting, dyeing, printing, processing and sewing, and Mr. Hiraishi points out the importance of working closely with local partners to ensure quality remains high. As he says: “We consider partners not only as vital to our business, but as our equals in terms of the quality they can provide.”
Maruhisa aims to establish distribution networks in the U.S. and Europe, and the company is keen to further expand its network in these two regions with distributors who understand the
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