GUNZE’s History of 127 YearsGunze has been consistently committed to resolving social issues by offering products and services tailored to the needs of the times.
Gunze seeks to establish a “one-of-a-kind” position in its respective fields.

Establishment of a silk manufacturing company to contribute to the local community through the development of local industry

Hatano thought that if the region was to develop, promoting the local silk industry was essential. He saw that his hometown needed to encourage local farmers to raise silkworms so as to become the prime policy of the district (Gun-ze).
That was where the name Gunze Silk Manufacturing Co., Ltd. came from. With his belief that “good people make good silk,” Hatano was dedicated to employee education to help ensure the high quality of the products.

Improving people’s lifestyles through rapid expansion of apparel products (hosiery and knitted innerwear) after the end of WWII

The development of rayon in the United States caused a substantial drop in the prices of silk. While searching for secondary processed products that could compensate for the decline in silk sales, Gunze launched the production of full-fashion silk stockings.
After World War II, Gunze shifted its focus to the production of nylon stockings, helping promote the spread of stockings among Japanese women through reasonable pricing. Gunze also started the production of knitted innerwear soon after the end of the war. In pursuit of “Golden quality for silver prices.”
Gunze explored the “why” as the company sought to ensure superb quality for its products. As a result, Gunze knitted innerwear was coined “national innerwear.”

Tackling the challenge as a technology-oriented company through the development of applications for new materials

In response to the rapid growth of the petrochemical industry and expanding consumption of plastics in Japan, Gunze made a foray into the plastic film field. Gunze started with the production of packaging films for its stockings, followed by the development of shrink film tubing in 1962.
Afterwards, Gunze developed various new products and technologies by using fluororesin and high-performance resin processing. This helped Gunze expand into the fields of engineering plastics and electronic components. Today, Gunze’s functional solutions business is creating new B2B solutions for a diversity of applications.

Creating new value by combining the expanding functional solutions business with the apparel and lifestyle creation businesses

Against the backdrop of the rapid aging of the Japanese population and increasing health consciousness, Gunze is concentrating on developing new products designed to create new value in the areas of apparel, plastic films, medical materials, and sports clubs. This is intended to help people enhance their quality of life (QOL).

In the landscaping and greening business, Gunze constructed a Gingko tree promenade along Midosuji Avenue in Osaka.

Medium-Term Management Plan“VISION 2030”

Create new value and deliver a “feeling of comfort” to customers, contributing to a sustainable society

While the market share of developed countries is shrinking, emerging countries such as China are expanding. Under these circumstances, building a business structure that can respond to rapid changes in the structure of society and the economy is a prerequisite for growth.
In addition, calls on corporate management to remain vigilant toward climate change are intensifying. Against the backdrop of an aging population and increasing health consciousness, Gunze is working to enhance people’s quality of life (QOL) by developing products designed to create new value in its apparel, plastic films, medical,and sports club businesses. In the sports club field, Gunze has launched new club operations in collaboration with local communities to help extend healthy lifespans.