Corporate History
| Nov. 1911 |
Oriental Loom Works was established by company founder Nakajiro Shigitani in Higashi-sakura-machi, Fukuyama City. The company manufactured looms.
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| Mar. 1952 | Started planning the manufacture of machine tools and began development of universal and tool grinder. |
| Sep. 1958 | Changed the company’s trade name to Shigiya Seiki Kogyo. Changed the company’s business to exclusively manufacture machine tools, and started development of cylindrical grinders. |
| Nov. 1960 | Incorporated the company to establish Shigiya Machinery Works Ltd., with a paid-in capital of 1.5 million yen. |
| Jan. 1961 |
Relocated the headquarters and factory to Nishi Kashima-cho (currently Kashima-cho), Fukuyama City, in order to expand the business. |
| Apr. 1963 | Opened Tokyo sales office in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. |
| Aug. 1967 | Opened Osaka branch office (currently sales office) in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka. |
| Jul. 1970 | Opened Nagoya branch office (currently sales office) in Nagoya City, Aichi. |
| Feb. 1974 | Established the marketing organization for eye-glass (lens) grinding machines. Autonomization of its department to establish an independent affiliated company Grand Seiko Co., Ltd. |
| Oct. 1984 | Completed the construction of the current headquarters and factory, and relocated all business operations to Minoshima-cho, Fukuyama City. |
| Jan. 1985 | Opened Ota branch office in Ota City, Gunma. |
| Jun. 1986 | Opened Hamamatsu branch office in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka. |
| Dec. 1988 | Established an affiliated company Shigiya Kiko Co., Ltd. This was aimed at strengthening overhaul and retrofit business. |
| Jul. 1990 | Established Shigiya (USA) Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois. Began sales and service business in the U.S. |
| May 1992 | Completed the construction of Temperature controlled factory. Realized high degree of precision in finish grinding operations. Completed the construction of a dedicated showroom for display of latest machinery and test grinding. |
| May 1994 | Relocated Tokyo sales office to Kawaguchi City, Saitama. |
| Mar. 1999 | Acquired ISO 9001 certification. This was aimed at ensuring consistency in products and services, and improving customer satisfaction. |
| Apr. 2005 | Completed the construction of Assembling area 2 and Precision measurement room. Installed 3D measurement equipment aimed at improving product quality levels. |
| May 2005 | Opened Shanghai office. |
| Oct. 2006 | Completed the expansion of Engineering department, Sales department and General Affairs department buildings. |
| Jan. 2007 | Completed the construction of Assembling area 3. This was aimed at increasing assembly capacity by 50%. |
| Aug. 2008 | Completed the construction of Temperature controlled surface grinding area. Installed ultra-precision double column type surface grinder. Improved grinding accuracy and grinding capability of large-sized beds. Resulted in reduction of lead time by 60% for hand scraping and grinding. |
| Sep. 2010 | Established SF Precision Co., Ltd. in South Korea (currently Shigiya Machinery Korea Co., Ltd.). |
| Oct. 2010 | Established Shigiya (Thailand) Ltd. Began sales, service and retrofit business. Established Shigiya (Shanghai) Ltd. Converted Shanghai office to a local subsidiary and began sales and service business. |
| Jan. 2011 | Vertical CNC angular cylindrical grinder, GAV-10･15, awarded at the “53rd 10 Major New Products Awards” (2010) for “Small and Medium Sized Business Award” sponsored by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. |
| Nov. 2011 | Celebrated 100th anniversary of the company’s founding. |
| Apr. 2013 | Merged Grand Seiko Co., Ltd. and Shigiya Kiko into Shigiya Machinery Works Ltd. Newly established GS Division (Ophthalmic and Optical equipment). |
| May 2013 | Completed the construction of new office building in headquarters. |
| Oct. 2013 | Relocated Shigiya (USA) Ltd. office to Schaumburg, Illinois. |
| Nov. 2013 | Completed the construction of Assembling area 4 for large-sized machines. This was aimed at increasing assembly capacity by 40%. Advisor Sadamasa Shigitani awarded the Medal of Honor (Medal with Yellow Ribbon) in fall. |
| Jan. 2015 | South Korean local subsidiary SF Precision Co., Ltd. renamed as Shigiya Machinery Korea Co., Ltd. This was aimed at expanding the overhaul business for machines sold within South Korea. |
| Mar. 2015 | Selected as one of the “300 Vibrant Small and Medium Enterprises”. |
| Oct. 2016 | Established a joint venture, Taiwan SHIGIYA Co., Ltd. for overseas manufacturing. The company manufactured the GPLT-30 series in Taiwan. |
| Dec. 2017 | Selected as a “Leading Future Regional Business”. |
| Aug. 2019 | Received the award from The Japan Society for Abrasive Technology for the achievement of “Development of High-Speed CNC Eccentric Pin Grinder, GPEL-30B.25”. |
| Mar. 2022 | Expanded the factory at the headquarter. Increase our production capacity by 20% to shorten the delivery time. |
| Dec. 2022 | Closed the GS Division (Ophthalmic and Optical equipment). |
| Dec. 2023 | Withdrew (liquidated) SHIGIYA MACHINERY KOREA Co., Ltd. in South Korea. |
| May 2024 | The Showroom was renovated and updated to the Technical Center. |
| Nov. 2024 | Installed a solar power generation system of about 1MW at the headquarters. |
Development History
| 1955 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of prototype universal and tool grinder. |
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| 1959 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the G-24 cylindrical grinder. |
| 1964 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of large-sized cylindrical grinder that could be used as a crank-pin grinder. |
| 1965 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the G-18 cylindrical grinder for mass production of small workpieces. |
| 1970 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the G-27 series, which was upgraded from the G-24 series. |
| 1974 | • Completed the development of the GP-65 large-sized cylindrical grinder with center-distance of 4,000 mm. |
| 1978 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GAS-27 angular slide cylindrical grinder. |
| 1979 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GP-45 cylindrical grinder with center-distance of 2,200 mm. |
| 1980 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GN-27, our company’s first CNC cylindrical grinder optimal for wide variety, medium volume production. |
| 1982 | • Upgraded the G-27 series to the G-30 series.
• Upgraded the G-18 series to the G-20 series. |
| 1988 | • Upgraded the G-30 series to the G-30B series. |
| 1991 | • Upgraded the GP-65B series to the GP-65D series. This was the largest table traverse type CNC cylindrical grinder in Japan. The standard specification included a workhead and tailstock which could support up to a maximum workpiece weight of 3,000 kg, a wheelhead which supported superior rotational accuracy for standard grinding wheels with an outer diameter of Φ915 mm (or optionally Φ1,065 mm), and other high rigidity design components which allowed for high accuracy and high efficiency grinding of large spindles and large diameter rolls. • Completed the design and manufacturing of large-sized CNC cylindrical grinder. |
| 1992 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPC/GAC-30･40 compact CNC plain/angular cylindrical grinders. |
| 1996 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GCM-30 CNC masterless cam grinder.
• Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPS-30 series general purpose CNC cylindrical grinder. |
| 1998 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPX-30 ultra-precision cylindrical grinder which used a concrete bed.
• Upgraded the GAS-30 series to the GAS-30B series. Allowed for mounting of grinding wheels with a diameter of Φ610 mm and maximum width of 120 mm. High accuracy wheel spindle rotation enabled precise yet heavy duty grinding and by means of simultaneous outer diameter and face grinding, high efficiency grinding was achieved. |
| 1999 | • Upgraded the GPC-30 to the GPC-30B. This was a wheelhead traverse type grinder. Achieved a machine width of 1,950 mm in the 400 mm center-distance class. Equipped with a wheel diameter of Φ610 mm, wheel width of 125 mm and a 15 kW wheel spindle motor (optional). This compact type machine played a major role in production line structure and allowed for easier transition to automation. • Upgraded the GAC-30 to the GAC-30B. This was a wheelhead traverse type grinder. Achieved a machine width of 1,950 mm in the 400 mm center-distance class. Equipped with a wheel diameter of Φ610 mm, wheel width of 125 mm and a 15 kW wheel spindle motor (optional). This compact type machine played a major role in production line structure and allowed for easier transition to automation. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the APG-35 grinder, which was used for grinding of glass disks for HDDs. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GAE-30 series general purpose CNC cylindrical grinder. |
| 2000 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPC/GAC-20 CNC plain/angular cylindrical grinders for small workpieces.
• Completed the design and manufacturing of the GRN-20 series compact CNC rubber roll grinder. |
| 2001 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the APG-10T grinder, which could simultaneously grind inner and outer diameters and was also suitable for compact HDDs.
• Completed the design and manufacturing of the GNW-20･10 2-head CNC cylindrical grinder for small workpieces. |
| 2002 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GCMH-30 series CNC masterless cam grinder, which was upgraded from the GCM-30 series.
• Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPES-30 series CNC eccentric pin/polygon grinder. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GSF-30 CVT grinder. |
| 2003 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GCO-16 CNC centerless cylindrical grinder. A traverse function (Z-axis slide) was added to this centerless grinder, which enabled both high productivity and excellent grinding accuracy. The Z-axis slide permitted high accuracy grinding of long workpieces with small diameters such as carbide drills. Automation was also made possible by integrating with a loader equipment. • Completed the development of the GSU series CNC universal grinder. |
| 2004 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPC-30B･25 compact CNC cylindrical grinder. This was a plain wheelhead traverse type grinder. Achieved a machine width of 1,580 mm for a center distance of 250 mm. It was equipped with a Φ510 mm wheel size as standard. This compact type machine played a major role in production line structure and allowed for easier transition to automation. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPH-30 series CNC cylindrical grinders with handwheels. This model was created from and designed for the shop floor. This CNC cylindrical grinder was capable of handling single workpiece grinding to low volume production in a diverse range of grinding scenarios. The MeisterHandwheels, its sophisticated operating buttons and the component layout allowed users to evolve from operators to become highly skilled craftspeople. It was equipped with an electronic stopper to simplify grinding area setting. Reduced the preparation time during process changes, thereby reducing the operator’s burden. |
| 2006 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GAC-30B･25 compact CNC angular cylindrical grinder. This was an angular wheelhead traverse type grinder. Achieved a machine width of 1,580 mm for a center distance of 250 mm. It was equipped with a Φ510 mm wheel size as standard. This compact type machine played a major role in production line structure and allowed for easier transition to automation. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GNW-30･25 2-head CNC cylindrical grinder. The twin heads allowed for simultaneous grinding at two locations for higher productivity. The left side wheelhead was non-swivel and the right side wheelhead had an angle of 8°. With a wheel size of Φ510 mm, an AC servo motor direct drive rotary dresser (dress spindle rotational speed: 10,000 rotations per minute) was used. |
| 2008 | • Upgraded the GPX-30 series ultra-precision CNC cylindrical grinder to the GPXⅡ-30 series. Focused on Shigiya’s cutting-edge technology! In addition to Shigiya’s core-technology of non-concentric hydrodynamic bearings for the wheelhead, a closed type hydrostatic slide system for the wheelhead feed, an extremely low vibration wheel spindle motor of Shigiya, and a workhead with hydrostatic bearings reducing machine vibration, enabled high accuracy grinding surface finish. The wheelhead feed and table feed handwheels mounted on the front of the machine made ultra-high precision grinding possible which provide a general purpose machine-like feel and usage. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GACL-20･20 linear motor system compact CNC angular cylindrical grinder. Used linear motors and high resolution linear scales for the wheelhead infeed (X-axis) and traverse (Z-axis), allowing highly accurate positioning. Used a newly designed bed, intended to prevent thermal deformation, and a high rigidity wheelhead unit, equipped with a Φ510 mm grinding wheel as standard, to contribute to high accuracy and high productivity. The 1,500 mm machine width contributed to reduced space requirements. Automation was also made possible by integrating with a loader. • Upgraded the GAE-30 series general purpose CNC angular cylindrical grinder to the GAE-30B series. This was a full model change of the GAE-30 series. A center distance of 250 mm was newly designed and added to the highly popular GAE-30B series CNC angular cylindrical grinder. The machine width was successfully reduced by 38% compared to the previous model. The grinding wheel of the wheelhead unit was increased from the previous size of Φ455 mm to Φ510 mm, contributing to higher productivity and higher operation rate. |
| 2010 | • Upgraded the GP-45B series general purpose medium-sized cylindrical grinder to the GP-45D series. • Upgraded the GSU-40 series CNC universal grinder to the GSU-40B series. The wheelhead was swiveled by a direct drive system which provided high positioning accuracy without backlash even at high speed. Ten different wheel installation patterns were available to accommodate a variety of multiple grinding operations and a reduction of processes. The X-axis hydrostatic slide system and C-X axis control (optional) allowed for eccentric and polygonal grinding. • Upgraded the GPES-30 series CNC eccentric pin/polygon grinder to the GPES-30B series. The bed and each unit were redesigned to have higher rigidity and be more compact (70% of the previous model). The closed type hydrostatic slide wheelhead feed and direct drive workhead enabled high grade and high accuracy grinding. Accommodated a wide range of grinding operations, including polygon grinding of punch tools, pin grinding of crankshafts and cylindrical grinding. • Upgraded the GPL-30 series CNC cylindrical grinder to the GPL-30B series. A center distance of 250 mm was newly designed and added to the GPL-30B series. This contributed to reducing production line space requirements. The bed and wheelhead base were integrated, increasing the rigidity of the unit, and allowing for heavy duty grinding. • Completed the development of the GAV-10･15 vertical CNC angular cylindrical grinder. Developed based on a concept of “minimizing machine width as much as possible”. Achieved a machine width of only 780 mm. This contributed to reducing production line space requirements. This was Japan’s first vertical grinder, optimal for grinding of small workpieces by support between centers. The angular type enabled grinding of outer diameters and faces. • Completed the development of the GHC-15･130 ultra-precision NC center hole grinder. By bringing together the technological capabilities of Shigiya, we developed the center hole grinder with unprecedented ultra precision specifications. Adoption of Shigiya hydrostatic bearings for the crucial spindle of the planetary-motioned unit permitted ultra precision grinding of center holes. High accuracy grinding of center holes made it possible to push cylindrical grinding to a higher level of accuracy. • Upgraded the GPH-30 series CNC cylindrical grinder with MeisterHandwheels to the GPH-30B series. The MeisterHandwheels improved operation efficiency and made precision grinding possible. Increased the rigidity of the machine bed allowing for heavy duty grinding. |
| 2011 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GAV-10･20 vertical CNC angular cylindrical grinder. This was remodeled from the GAV-10･15 vertical CNC angular cylindrical grinder. This vertical grinder optimal for grinding of small workpieces, up to 200 mm length, by support between centers. The concept of compact design contributed to reducing production line space requirements. Was made available with both plain type and angular type machines and their mirror image patterns. This supported flexible floor layout and made it possible to automate the production line, even with multiple machines installed. The innovative column-type structure, with thorough countermeasures against vibration and thermal deformation, ensured stable dimensional accuracy. • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPV-10･20 vertical CNC cylindrical grinder. |
| 2012 | • Completed the development of the GPEL-30･25 high-speed CNC eccentric pin grinder. This machine achieved the world’s top level high speed pin grinding (workpiece rotation 400 min-1). This was a high-speed CNC eccentric pin grinder which contributed to higher efficiency and productivity for crankshafts. Eccentricity and phase angle could be easily set using our interactive programming software. There was no need to change jigs, which reduced the preparation time during process changes, thereby reducing the operator’s burden. Incorporated a built-in wheel spindle motor for reduced wheelhead weight. By adoptiong a linear motor for wheelhead feed and high output built-in servo motor for work spindle rotation, this machine achieved high speed and stable C-X axis control. Furthermore, the table traverse type assured high accuracy grinding. |
| 2014 | • Completed the design and manufacturing of the GPD-20･43 double-drive CNC cylindrical grinder. Based on fundamental concepts of “No set-up needed”, “Improving grinding accuracy” and “Improving maintenance”, this cylindrical grinder offered a completely new design using double center drive system. The standard specification was equipped with NC movable workheads on the left and right sides. The distance between centers could be adjusted without changing the set-up to support workpiece lengths between 30 and 430 mm. The CBN wheel in combination with a multi-step sizing in-process gauge helped achieve consistent grinding accuracy with high precision. |
| 2018 | • Completed the development of the GMP-30.30 CNC cylindrical grinder (for mass production lines). Shifting to standardized, packaged specifications allowed us to respond to customer requests more quickly. The specialized bed made the units more compact and improved maintainability. A variety of options were offered for automation and high productivity for mass production grinding machine. • Upgraded the GPEL-30･25 high-speed CNC eccentric pin grinder to the GPEL-30B.25. This was a full model change of the GPEL-30･25. Increased rigidity of the workhead, wheelhead feed (linear motor feed), and increased motor output allowed for high speed grinding with even greater stability. Compatible with grinding between centers, cantilever type chuck work and a wide range of other tooling applications. The specialized bed reduced the machine width by 17% compared to previous models. • Began offering a lineup of new type MeisterHandwheels as an option for the GPH-30B series. The sophisticated design and functionality of the new type MeisterHandwheels provided an even greater degree of safety and ease of use. |
