About Us
Our corporate philosophy—"Creative freedom opens great futures"—means pioneering original solutions, not imitating others, to serve future generations. Kiyokawa Plating exists to develop innovative plating technologies that protect our planet and ensure society's safety.
Our proprietary nano-plating enables miniaturization for resource conservation while maintaining zero-defect quality across billions of components. We remain committed to delivering technologies that consistently exceed customer expectations and inspire confidence.
Hajime Kiyokawa
President & CEO
Kiyokawa Plating Industry Co., Ltd.
At Kiyokawa, we believe that high-quality plating is fundamental to a product's character and performance. It’s more than surface decoration; it enhances appearance, form, and function. Our innovative plating technologies empower creative freedom, bringing products to life and contributing to a brighter, more efficient future.
| Founded | March 1963 (Incorporated November 1968) |
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| Capital | 40 million yen |
| Employees | 360 (as of April 2024) |
| Business Focus | Kiyokawa specializes in electroplating and electroless plating services for electronic components, semiconductor wafers, magnets, and other materials. We offer innovative solutions in microelectronics and advanced materials through proprietary technologies. |
| Leadership Team |
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Headquarters & Plant
Manufacturing and plating services for electronic components and circuit boards, based in Fukui City, Japan.
Chemical Technology Research Laboratory
Analysis and testing of plating solutions.
Nanotechnology Development Center
Focus on micro-electronics and magnets with R&D in cutting-edge plating techniques.
Advanced Technology Development Center
Cleanroom facility for UBM plating services for semiconductor wafers.
Core Technology Center & Solution Center
Specializing in UBM plating for semiconductor wafers.
Morita Plant
Cleanroom facility for UBM plating of semiconductor wafers.
Kiyokawa operates over 20 plating lines, offering both mass production and prototype development. Custom plating lines are designed for specialized needs. We specialize in:
Our R&D centers focus on developing new plating technologies for emerging industries, ensuring cutting-edge solutions and continuous improvement for our clients.
Founded in 1963 as Kiyokawa Plating Works, we embarked on a journey of continuous innovation and expansion. Incorporated in 1968, we quickly specialized in alumite (1967) and hard alumite (1970) treatments, soon venturing into the electronic components sector by 1975.
Our commitment to research and development was formalized with the establishment of the Kiyokawa Chemical Technology Research Institute in 1982. The 1980s also saw the creation of our affiliate, Kiyokawa Electronics (1984), as well as significant advancements in automation, including the introduction of new plating lines.
The 1990s marked a period of accelerated growth, including the launch of small motor production (1991) and pioneering achievements in quality and environmental management, becoming the **first in the plating industry to achieve ISO9001 (1994) and ISO14001 (1997) certifications**. We further solidified our R&D capabilities and expanded into the semiconductor field at the turn of the millennium with a new, cleanroom-equipped plant (2000).
In the following decades, we consistently pushed technological boundaries, entering the nuclear power sector (2007), achieving ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for our testing laboratory (another industry first, 2008), and launching our "Plating Clinic" analytical services (2009). We also expanded into nanotechnology (2011), medical devices (2011), and automotive power semiconductors (2013).
A notable milestone was a factory visit by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015. Our leadership in quality and environmental standards continued, as we were the **first in Japan to be certified for ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015**.
Recent years have seen further strategic enhancements, including the establishment of specialized technology and solution centers, and achieving the IATF 16949:2016 certification for the automotive industry in 2024, underscoring our dedication to cutting-edge solutions and excellence across diverse high-tech fields.
Our dedication to superior quality, technological advancement, and responsible business practices has been consistently recognized through numerous prestigious awards.
A cornerstone of our accolades is our outstanding and sustained success in the National Plating Technology Competition. Since 1994, we have consistently won the top honor, the Minister's Award (from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, or the former Ministry of Labour), across various challenging categories, including chrome plating, zinc plating, and polishing. This consistent excellence has also earned us multiple "Premium Awards" for achieving this high distinction on multiple occasions.
Beyond specific technical skills, our broader contributions to the industry and society have been widely recognized and celebrated. Key national recognitions include:
We are also deeply proud of awards recognizing our company culture and management, such as the "Company We Want to Value Most in Japan" Award (2015) and consistent certification as a "Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization (Bright 500)" since 2021.
This commitment is reflected in our recognition as a "White Company Award" recipient (2025), a "Carbon Neutral Promotion Company" (2024), and our holding of numerous other certifications for regional leadership, employee well-being, diversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all of which demonstrate our holistic approach to excellence.
