Mizuno Technics Yoro Factory’s “Bat Workshop” displays the bats of active athletes, as well as bats of successive generations of great players.
Text by COURRiER Japon
“All the bats used by players like Ichiro and Hideki Matsui were handmade by craftsmen at this factory. The bats of Yakult player Munetaka Murakami, who is currently attracting attention, are also made here.”
Mr. Takayuki Nose, President and CEO of Mizuno Technics Co., Ltd.
Mizuno Technics is based in Yoro-cho, Gifu Prefecture as Mizuno’s sports equipment manufacturing unit.
“We have been manufacturing sports goods for nearly 80 years since 1943, when Mizuno Yoro Factory was established. In addition to baseball bats, we also manufacture golf clubs.”
The bats of professional baseball players and the clubs of professional golfers are handmade by top-notch craftsmen and have earned tremendous trust. When it comes to baseball bats, 30-40% of professional baseball players use bats from the Yoro Factory.
Mr. Tamio Nawa, a bat craftsman.In charge of Central League and Major League
Among them, the “legend” is the bat making of Hideki Matsui and Ichiro. In both cases, a bat craftsman listens to the player’s order and finishes the ideal bat.
“Hideki Matsui was able to change bats almost every year.Especially after he went to the majors, he made changes and modifications to his bats in order to adapt to baseball over there. The shape of the case has hardly changed throughout the years in Japan and the United States.At the Yoro Factory, bats are made to match the styles and needs of baseball players.”
The Yoro factory is famous not only for making baseball bats, but also for golf clubs. It is also hand made by craftsmen. However, Mizuno Technics’ golf clubs are not only handmade.
“The point of Mizuno Technics golf clubs is that they can be custom-fitted. Golf swings vary from person to person, and preferences and styles also differ. We take measurements and individually propose and manufacture clubs and shafts that suit each person.”
Golf clubs are also made while measuring the weight and balance of each one.
From sporting goods to carbon business
Mizuno is associated with sporting goods, but here at the Yoro factory, we also manufacture BtoB products using carbon. Mr. Susumu Hironaka, Deputy General Manager of the Composite Division, which handles the carbon business, explains.
“At Mizuno Technics, we apply the carbon processing technology obtained in the manufacturing process of golf club shafts, tennis rackets, badminton rackets, etc., to fields other than sports equipment. Carbon is strong and light. Compared to metals such as steel, titanium, and aluminum, carbon is overwhelmingly lighter, yet the material is strong and has a repulsive force.
Therefore, carbon is used in various fields other than sporting goods, such as airplanes and automobiles.
“Carbon is made by carbonizing filaments and mixing them with resin. Depending on the direction of the fibers, how they are layered, and the type of resin, they can be hardened, softened, or strengthened in one direction only. We can create parts that could not be realized with metal, such as
A volleyball strut made of carbon.Because it is made of carbon, it can be carried by one person.
Another characteristic of carbon is its “vibration damping properties”. For example, when a part shakes, it shows how quickly it returns to a stationary state, but carbon is “hard to shake” compared to other metals.
“Because of this feature, we are also working on items such as archery arrows, industrial robot arms like UFO catchers, helicopter parts, and drone parts.”
Various carbon products made by Mizuno Technics
Mizuno Technics, which develops these unique technologies, receives requests from many companies.
“We also manufacture wheelchair parts, Casio’s G-SHOCK watch bands, ETC bars on highways, and other products that the general public can see.”
The spirit of “manufacturing” is the basis of both sporting goods and the carbon business. When you think of a factory, you might think of rows of machines. It reminds us of the importance of technology unique to Japan.
President and CEO Takayuki Nose (left) and Composite Division Deputy General Manager Susumu Hironaka (right)
