Company History

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