Company History

Yamanaka & Co., Ltd., a general trading company for nonferrous metals, can look back on over 166 years of history and achievements.

  • Edo (1603–1868)

    • 1858

      Founder Yamanaka Naoshichi establishes a copper metal trading company called “Kawanishiya” on Andojibashi Street in Osaka

    • 1863

      Yamanaka Smelting Works established

  • Meiji (1868–1912)

    • 1868

      Minami Horie Copper Smelting Works established

    • 1871

      Import and export of various types of ingot begins

    • 1882

      Import of aluminum, black sheet, zinc-iron sheet, iron wire, zinc sheet, etc. begins

    • 1904

      Import and processing of antimony sulfide begins

    • 1905

      Minami Horie Copper Smelting Works incorporated as a separate company

  • Taisho (1912–1926)

    • 1916

      Yamanaka Smelting Works becomes a partner company

    • 1917

      Yamanaka Smelting Works builds a copper reverberation furnace in Kasugade, Konohana Ward, Osaka, and starts antimony smelting at the same time
      Nakai Iron Works founded in Osaki, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo
      Yamanaka Copper and Fujikawa Kuhachi Copper registered on London Metal Exchange Export of antimony (Flower brand) to Europe begins

    • 1918

      Rolling mill built at Yamanaka Smelting Works Copper products business begins
      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. established

    • 1919

      Fushimi Factory established Copper smelting, stamping, and rolling plant built

    • 1926

      Yamanaka Smelting Works becomes a joint stock company
      Manufacture of patented Yamanaka metal tiles begins Exhibit at the Paris World Exposition

  • Showa (1926–1989)

    • 1929

      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. establishes Tokyo branch office in Motoiwai-cho, Kanda Ward

    • 1931

      Roof construction work at Osaka Castle tower, Koyasan Kongobuji Temple, Tenrikyo Headquarters Foundress’ Sanctuary, Yushima Seido Temple, etc. using patented Yamanaka copper tiles

    • 1936

      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. establishes Mikuni Factory in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka

    • 1937

      Yamanaka Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. established in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka

    • 1938

      Mikuni Factory becomes a separate company, Mikuni Smelter Co., Ltd.

    • 1939

      Entrusted with operation of Metal Distribution Control Association, Tenma Metal Logistics Station
      Yamanaka Chemical Industry (joint stock) established in Tokyo
      Hiyoshi Mining Co., Ltd. established, begins antimony mining

    • 1940

      Kasugade Factory becomes a separate company, Yamanaka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
      Yamanaka Yoko established in Hankou, China

    • 1944

      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. commissioned to handle operations at Western Logistics Center of Teikoku Mining Development Co., Ltd.

    • 1955

      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. constructs Head Office Building in Andojibashi, Minami Ward, Osaka

    • 1956

      Production of cathodic protection zinc begins at Mikuni Smelter Co., Ltd. Company name changed to Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd.
      Yamanaka Shoten Co., Ltd. changed its name to Yamanaka & Co., Ltd.

    • 1965

      Saidaiji Industry Co., Ltd. established

    • 1969

      Kyushu Sales Office opened in Fukuoka

    • 1972

      Production of antimony trioxide begins at Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd.
      First Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opened at Mejiro in Tokyo

    • 1982

      Chubu Sales Office opened in Nagoya

    • 1986

      Head Office Building rebuilt Yamanaka Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. adds RAC Factory and begins production of high-purity antimony trioxide (low alpha ray emission)

    • 1988

      Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd. constructs office building and third factory

  • Heisei (1989–2019)

    • 1991

      Guangdong Mikuni Antimony Industries Co., Ltd. established in Guangdong Province, China

    • 1993

      Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd. constructs fifth factory

    • 1994

      First Capricciosa restaurant opened in Matsudo, Chiba
      Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd. constructs second factory

    • 1995

      Yamanaka Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. constructs current office

    • 1997

      Guangdong Mikuni Antimony Industries Co., Ltd. expands production facilities

    • 2000

      Mikuni Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd. obtains ISO 9002 certification

    • 2002

      Guangdong Mikuni Antimony Industries Co., Ltd. obtains ISO 9001 certification

    • 2004

      Mikuni Smelting & Refining Factory obtains ISO 9001 certification

    • 2006

      Head Office relocated to Imabashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka

    • 2008

      Tokyo Branch Office relocated to Nihonbashihoncho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

    • 2011

      The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. Support for earthquake reconstruction efforts (donations, volunteer activities). Support for typhoon damage reconstruction in Shingu City, Wakayama (volunteer activities)

    • 2013

      Guangdong Mikuni Antimony Industries Co., Ltd. acquired ISO 14001 certification