Company Profile and History

Iwata Seisakusho, the forerunner of ANEST IWATA, is founded

Brothers Hatsutaro and Sukezo Iwata rented a corner of a factory in the town of Toyosawa, Shibuya Ward, on May 1, 1926, and started a small manufacturing operation called Iwata Seisakusho, the forerunner of our company, with just two used lathes.

Started manufacturing and selling the first ever spray gun made in Japan

The spray gun development journey of the Iwata brothers started with a request from Mizushima Shokai. After numerous attempts, a few of their spray guns finally passed the test. It had been about six months since the brothers received the order, and their funds were nearly depleted. It was an achievement that only the determination and persistence of craftsmen could accomplish. Their spray gun, the first ever created in Japan, had a big head and a rugged grip, but it was capable of producing both flat and round spray patterns and atomized paint well.

Started manufacturing and selling small-sized compressors

Ventured into the automatic painting device market

Iwata Air Compressor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is established

In 1955, annual net sales reached 300 million yen and total assets exceeded 150 million yen, but this was in no way an accurate reflection of how the business was doing, as the company remained a limited partnership with a capital of less than 4.5 million yen. However, since it had just increased its capital in 1955, it also had no funds. It was possible to dissolve the limited partnership company and incorporate it, but this was not realistic because the taxes associated with the settlement would exceed 100 million yen. It was eventually decided to establish a new incorporated company, leaving the limited partnership as is. In this way, Iwata Air Compressor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. came to be established in April 1957, taking over the entire business of the previous limited partnership.

Released airless units

Entered the coating system market full scale

Received JIS certification to manufacture small-sized reciprocating air compressors

Released the first ever medium-sized, two-way cooling air compressors made in Japan

The development of medium-sized compressors started around 1965. However, the medium-sized air compressor market was fiercely competitive, with major first-mover manufacturers jockeying for position. This was why the company devised a development strategy based on thorough market research, including for overseas markets. The focus was on making an air cooler that was capable of a wide variation in output, easy to maintain, and small in size, and to make its operation control system semi-automatic. Once these goals were accomplished, the prototype was completed at the end of 1967, and the product released in 1969.

Listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange

Released electrostatic coating machines

Listed on the first section of both the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges

Jointly developed a painting robot with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Released automotive spray booths

Entered the rotary air compressor market

Developed the world's first electric, articulated painting robot together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

The company developed the first ever painting robot made in Japan, the AR-62, in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and brought it to market in August 1975. The AR-62 was a large-sized hydraulic painting robot that was capable of reproducing the wrist movements of a skilled worker through software, and it won widespread acclaim not only in Japan but in overseas markets as well.

Released hot-melt adhesive applicators

Started full-scale operations of interconnected CAD systems in Yokohama, Akita, and Fukushima

Released large-sized rotary air compressors

Released oil-free medium-sized tooth air compressors

Released the world's first oil-free scroll air compressors

Development began around 1985, and after six years of hard work, the company overcame such difficulties as finding heat-resistant materials, developing materials for tip seals, and precision designing air-cooled housing. In March 1991, the company introduced the world's first oil-free scroll compressors, the SLP-22 (2.2 kW) and the SLP-37 (3.7 kW).

Released the world's first oil-free scroll vacuum pumps and entered the vacuum pump market

The development project began in 1985. The aim was to create a medium-vacuum (100 Pa to 10-1 Pa; 1 Pa is 1/100,000 of atmospheric pressure) dry pump, the most sought-after range. The company proceeded with research and development, and the prototype was completed in 1990. The company decided to enter the market in 1991.

Released the COMG series of small-sized air compressors

Obtained ISO-9001 certification

Unveiled a new corporate identity (CI) and changed the company name to ANEST IWATA Corporation

On the occasion of the 70th year of its founding, on October 1, 1996, the company changed its name to ANEST IWATA Corporation. “ANEST” stands for “Active & Newest Technology” (now “Active with Newest Technology”). In other words, the name represents our identity as “a development-oriented company that is consistently vibrant and equipped with innovative technologies.” By reflecting the words “EARNEST” and “HONEST” in our name, we also made clear that we will carry on the qualities embodied in our corporate motto since our founding, “Makoto no Kokoro” (Trustworthy & Sincere). With the new company name representing our strong will and determination toward reform, ANEST IWATA made a fresh start.

Obtained ISO-14001 certification

Absorbed ANEST IWATA Akita Corporation, ANEST IWATA Fukushima Corporation, and ANEST IWATA Kosan Corporation

Received the Energy-Efficient Machinery Award for its oil-free booster air compressors

Certified as an environmentally friendly business establishment by Yokohama City

Established ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL CONSULTORIA TECNICA LTDA.
(now ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL COMERCIAL LTDA.)

Established ANEST IWATA VACUUM ENGINEERING & SERVICE Corporation

Established ANEST IWATA Shanghai Trading Corporation

Capital participation in ANEST IWATA Air Tech s.r.l.

Established ANEST IWATA South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Consolidated the production of air compressors and vacuum equipment to the Fukushima Factory, away from the Yokohama Factory

Developed and sold original claw-type and screw-type medium-sized compressors

Established ANEST IWATA Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Established ANEST IWATA Middle East FZE

Changed the name of ANEST IWATA Coating Service Corporation to ANEST IWATA Coating Solutions Corporation

Established PT. ANEST IWATA Indonesia

Established ANEST IWATA Babatz GmbH

Established Airzap ANEST IWATA INDÚSTRIA E COMÉRCIO LTDA.

Established ANEST IWATA Polska Sp. Z o.o.

Changed the name of ANEST IWATA Service Corporation to ANEST IWATA Compressor Corporation

The F series of oil-free scroll compressors received the Energy-Efficient Machinery Award

Established ANEST IWATA SPARMAX Co., Ltd.

Capital alliance with E.M.S. CONCEPT SARL

Absorbed ANEST IWATA Compressor Corporation and ANEST IWATA Coating Solutions Corporation