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Founded in 1944 in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. has established itself as a premier independent steel manufacturer in Japan, characterized by its pioneering spirit and global perspective. The company operates primarily through three business segments: Steel, Railway Trackwork Materials, and Heavy Industry. At the core of its operations is the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking process, which recycles steel scrap into new, high-value products—a business model that is inherently sustainable and essential for a circular economy.
In the Steel segment, Yamato Kogyo is a specialist in structural steel products. Its flagship H-beams are used extensively in the construction of high-rise buildings, factories, and shopping malls, while its steel sheet piles serve critical roles in civil engineering and disaster prevention projects. The Railway Trackwork Materials segment is another cornerstone of the company, where it holds a leading domestic market share. Its products, including complex turnouts and expansion joints, are vital components that ensure the safety and precision of high-speed rail networks like the Shinkansen. The Heavy Industry segment leverages advanced casting and machining technologies to produce massive components for the shipbuilding industry, such as stern frames and rudders.
What truly sets Yamato Kogyo apart from its domestic peers is its early and aggressive international expansion. In 1987, the company formed a landmark joint venture with Nucor Corporation, the largest steelmaker in the United States, to create Nucor-Yamato Steel. This strategic move proved to be a resounding success and laid the groundwork for further expansion into Thailand, South Korea, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. Today, Yamato Kogyo operates as a truly global entity, with approximately 85% of its ordinary profit generated from its overseas subsidiaries and affiliates. This geographical diversification allows the company to capture infrastructure demand across different continents while mitigating regional economic risks.
Looking toward the future, Yamato Kogyo is committed to its "Vision 2030," which focuses on enhancing its environmental contribution and technological prowess. As the global industry shifts toward decarbonization, Yamato Kogyo’s EAF-based production—which emits significantly less CO2 compared to traditional blast furnace methods—positions the company as a leader in green steelmaking. By investing in clean technology and digital transformation (DX), the company aims to optimize production efficiency and develop next-generation materials for a sustainable world.
With a history spanning over eight decades, Yamato Kogyo continues to grow as a vital player in the global infrastructure sector. Its unique blend of Japanese technical excellence and a borderless business strategy ensures that it remains at the forefront of the international steel industry, contributing to society through "Our Steel, Your Future."