HISTORY
Osaka Blower ー Our 100-Year Journey
HISTORY
From Our Founding in 1919
to the Present
Founding Period (1919–1936)
Founded in Tsumori, Osaka, laying the foundation for a blower manufacturing business alongside the shipbuilding industry.
1919 (Taisho 8)
Founding
Fusao Miyajima founded Osaka Blower Manufacturing in Namba, Minami Ward, Osaka, Japan, and began manufacturing blowers against the backdrop of industrial growth following World War I. The company later moved its factory to Tsumori, near the mouth of the Kizu River, establishing its business base in an area with a concentration of shipyards. As it deepened ties with the shipbuilding industry, which would later become its main market, the company took its first steps as a specialized blower manufacturer.
1925 (Taisho 14)
Nishinari Ward Is Established
The surrounding area, including Tsumori Village, was incorporated into the city of Osaka, and Nishinari Ward was established. Osaka Blower Manufacturing continued to grow amid this new urban development, advancing alongside local industry. Many shipyards and manufacturers were concentrated in the surrounding area at the time, and the company expanded its business while benefiting from this industrial cluster.
Incorporation and Postwar Reconstruction (1937–1960)
Expanded rapidly through incorporation, postwar reconstruction,
and the shipbuilding boom.
1937 (Showa 12)
Incorporation and Appointment of the First President
As the business expanded, the company was incorporated as Osaka Blower Mfg. Co., Ltd., and Fusao Miyajima became its first representative director. Incorporation strengthened the company's management foundation and marked its transition to a more structured corporate organization. Building on the technology and customer base established in its founding years, the company accelerated its business development, centered on the shipbuilding sector.
1939 (Showa 14)
Head Office and Factory Relocation
The company built a new head office and factory and relocated to its current location in Tsumori-cho Higashi 5-chome, Nishinari Ward, to accommodate business expansion and increase production capacity. The site subsequently served as Osaka Blower's production base for many years.
1943 (Showa 18)
Appointment of the Second President
Yoshitaka Nekou became the second representative director, leading the company through the turbulent years of World War II.
1951 (Showa 26)
Appointment of the Third President
Masao Yoshio became the third representative director, as the company entered an era of prosperity in shipbuilding.
1954 (Showa 29)
Appointment of the Fourth President
Kentaro Matsuyama became the fourth representative director, steering the company through the transition from postwar recovery to the era of rapid economic growth. He strengthened ties with Takata & Co. and advanced human resource development, laying the foundation for later growth.
1956–1958 (Showa 31–33)
Shipbuilding Boom
Fueled by special procurement demand from the Korean War and worldwide demand for newly built ships, Japan grew into the world's largest shipbuilding nation. Osaka Blower also enjoyed a boom period, continually setting new profit records. In 1957, employees donated a bronze plaque to commemorate the 20th anniversary of incorporation, and a large-scale testing facility was completed in 1958—an era symbolizing the company's growth.
The Era of High Economic Growth (1960–1980)
Expanded business operations and capital investment
while facing the challenges of the oil crisis.
1967 (Showa 42)
New Factory Construction
To keep pace with rising orders driven by the economic boom, the company built new machining, impeller, and assembly shops. This increased its capacity to manufacture large blowers and substantially strengthened its production system. The expanded facilities enabled the company to further expand its operations and became a driving force behind its growth.
1975 (Showa 50)
Appointment of the Fifth President
Tatsumi Maeda became the fifth representative director, leading the company through the transition from rapid to stable growth. He faced multiple challenges, including the oil crisis, labor disputes, and a downturn in the shipbuilding market.
1978 (Showa 53)
Voluntary Early Retirement Program
As the business environment worsened amid the shipbuilding recession, the company carried out its first-ever voluntary retirement program since its founding. Though it was a difficult decision, overcoming this crisis enabled the company to continue its business into the next era.
Restructuring and Technological Innovation (1987–2010)
Built a new foundation for growth through business restructuring and technological innovation.
1987 (Showa 62)
The Decision to Rebuild: Appointment of the Sixth President
The company carried out a second voluntary retirement program and sold its South Factory. Masakichi Hirano became the sixth representative director and drove reforms aimed at business restructuring. Even amid the headwinds of the shipbuilding recession, the company sustained its operations and worked toward a fresh start for the future.
2000–2002 (Heisei 12–14)
Completion of the Head Office Building
Prompted by land expropriation for a road-widening project, the company redeveloped its head office site, and a new head office building was completed in 2002. The redevelopment replaced aging facilities and improved both operational efficiency and the company's corporate image.
2005 (Heisei 17)
Compact Blower Technology Contributes to the World Expo
The company's compact blower technology was adopted in fuel cell equipment exhibited at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi. The technology, developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Cap Co., Ltd., was well received and opened up possibilities in new business areas.
2008 (Heisei 20)
ISO 9001 Certification Obtained
The company obtained ISO 9001 certification, strengthening its quality management system. That same year, it achieved sales of more than 2 billion yen, recording its highest-ever business performance. The company was later affected by the global financial crisis, but it maintained its business foundation on the strength of its technology and quality.
2009 (Heisei 21)
Appointment of the Seventh President
Masahiko Sato became the seventh representative director, working to navigate the difficult business environment following the global financial crisis.
Toward the Next 100 Years (2019–Present)
Marking its 100th anniversary, the company opens a path to the future through environmental technology and people-centered management
2019 (Reiwa 1)
100th Anniversary of Founding: Appointment of the Eighth President
The company marked the 100th anniversary of its 1919 founding, and Kazuo Sakata became its eighth representative director. Although it was a landmark year, the company's financial performance remained challenging, and, with the COVID-19 pandemic looming, anniversary celebrations were also limited. At the same time, however, the company launched its Second Business Division, beginning its pursuit of new growth opportunities.
2022 (Reiwa 4)
No. 1 Domestic Market Share for EGR Blowers
The company achieved the No. 1 domestic market share for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) blowers, which meet exhaust-gas regulations for marine diesel engines. This demonstrated the company's strong competitiveness in environmental technology, while its EGR blower business grew into one of its core businesses.
2023 (Reiwa 5)
Appointment of the Ninth President
Soichiro Matsuyama became the ninth representative director. It was a year in which new growth strategies bore fruit, including obtaining a domestic patent for the compact Type III blower, establishing an executive stock ownership association, and recording the company's highest-ever profit.
2024–2025 (Reiwa 6–7)
Bridge to the Future Project
The company launched the “Bridge to the Future Project” for the next 100 years. Building on the twin pillars of decarbonization and people-centered management, it is taking on new challenges for the future, including establishing an employee stock ownership association, obtaining an overseas patent for the compact Type III blower, and visualizing CO₂ emissions through a life cycle assessment (LCA) of its EGR blowers.
July 2026 (Reiwa 8)–
“G Project” Launched, Looking Toward 2050
Employee-led projects are currently underway in five areas: “Environment,” “Manufacturing and Cost Reduction,” “Growth Support and Talent Development,” “International Expansion,” and “Employee Well-Being.”
August 2026 (Reiwa 8)–
Appointment of the Tenth President
Kaoru Okuno became the tenth representative director.
HISTORY
Revenue Trend
Incorporated in 1937, the company has weathered 87 years of shipbuilding and plant industry cycles.
Overcoming two crises, it achieved record sales of 2.8 billion yen with its EGR blowers.
