Since 1921

Hario has been dedicated to the design, production, and sales of heatproof glass since it was founded in 1921 and is the only heatproof glass manufacturer in Japan to have a factory.

We began our history as a manufacturer of laboratory glassware. In 1964, we expanded our production to household items, starting with the coffee syphon. We also began producing lenses for automotive headlights in 1980. Today, we continue to make a variety of items, from microwave-safe kitchenware and coffee and tea implements, to aromatherapy and pet products.

  • COMPANY
  • FACTORY
  • HISTORY
  • MESSAGE
Company Name: HARIO Co., Ltd.
HARIO Co., Ltd. 9-3 Nihombashi Tomizawa-Cho, Chuo-Ku TOKYO 103-0006 Japan
Factory: 1371 Morokawa, Koga-shi, IBARAKI 306-0126 Japan
Foundation: October 1921
Establishment: April 1999
Chairman & CEO: Yasuhiro Sibata
President: Tadayasu Sibata

Business description:
Design, production and sales of heatproof glassware and household items. Design and production of materials for science laboratory equipment and heatproof glassware, automotive headlights, industrial and medical glass materials.

*Meetings by appointment only, No retail sales onsite.

HARIO’s heatproof glass is manufactured in an ISO9001/ISO14001 approved factory, the Koga Factory.
It is the only heat-proof glass factory in Japan.

Mixing

Silica sand, borax, and boric acid are delivered into the mixer with the force of air and then mixed. The mixed ingredients are then sent to the all-electric melting furnace via a computer-controlled conveyor.

Melting

The center of the all-electric melting furnace is about 1600℃. The ingredients for the heatproof glass only melts at extremely high temperatures. The glass itself can act as a conductor inside the furnace and about 20 tons of glass can be melted per day.

Mold blowing

The 16-head automatic blow-molding machine presses and flattens glass spheres that are heated to around 1300℃. Blowing air into the glass, spinning it, and putting it into a mold, the machine produces an average of 25 products per minute.

Annealing

The lehr (annealing furnace) heats the glass up to 620℃ and then slowly cools it, which removes the stresses developed within the glass. Removing these stresses makes the next processing step easier.

Processing
Machine work

Once in the finishing steps, the product is processed based on the different categories using a computer-controlled chill cut machine that adjusts the size and shape of the glass.

Handwork

Products with complex and special parts, such as the neck of a syphon bowl or a glass handle, are processed by hand.

Printing

Products that have been processed have designs and marks printed on them using a color auto-printer.

Glazing

The prints are then baked onto the products with a baking furnace called a decorating lehr. The products are then dried.

Assembling

For completion, the handles, lids, and other accessories are installed, sorted into different categories, and packed into boxes.

1920s

1921Oct.

Hiromu Shibata Works was founded at Kanda Sudacho, Tokyo, where the production and sales of laboratory glassware began.

1940s

1940 Aug.

Constructed a factory and a glass-melting furnace at Ueno Hanazonocho, Taito-ku, Tokyo to start research into glass melting.

1947 Mar.

Standard production of Hiromu-brand beakers, flasks, laboratory dishes, and coolers.

1949 Aug.

Succeeded in melting “HARIO Glass” (HARIO’s original glass material) after many years of research.

1950s

1951 May.

Constructed a glass-melting furnace at Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo, the location of the current headquarters.

1955 Jun.

Constructed the industry’s first tanking furnace for “HARIO Glass”, 1st-grade hardness glass in the new factory.

1960s

1961 Sep.

Qualified as a JIS certified factory (for chemical analysis glassware, and glass tubes and rods).

1962 May

Installed the industry’s first automatic glass-tube molding machine.

1964 Apr.

Separated the heatproof glassware division to establish HARIO Co., Ltd. (formerly HARIO Sales Co., Ltd).

1968 Jan.

Succeeded in developing “HARIO-32 Glass,” 1st-grade hard glass, and started mass-production.

1970s

1971 Jan.

Completed the Koga Factory.

Mar.

The Koga Factory started full-fledged operations.

1972 Dec.

Succeeded in developing the “all-electric melting furnace” using original technology. Started production using this furnace.

1980s

1980 Aug.

Branched out into the production of headlight lenses for the automobiles.

1982 Apr.

Received the Director-General’s Award for Science and Technology Agency.

1983 Oct.

Completed the world’s first computer-controlled glass production line which allows multi-production in small lots at the Koga Factory, and started full-fledged production.

1985 Oct.

Separated from the Koga Factory to establish SIBATA GLASS CO., LTD.

1990s

1992 Jan.

Signed an agreement with Vetrerie Riunite S.p.A., Italy for licensing the electric melting technology for borosilicate glass.

1993 Aug.

Completed the plant for Shenyang Glass Instruments Factory in China.

HARIO Co., Ltd. was relocated to Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo, its birthplace.

1999 Aug.

HARIO Co., Ltd. and Sibata Glass Co., Ltd. merged to establish HARIO GLASS CO., LTD.

Sep.

Established HARIO Distribution Center.

2000s

Dec.

The Koga factory was qualified as an ISO9001-authorized plant.

The headquarters was relocated to 9-3, Nihombashi Tomizawa-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo as part of the activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding.

2001 Nov.

Qualified as an ISO14001-authorized plant.

2003 Jul.

The headquarters’ building, a registered tangible cultural asset, was recognized as a “valuable national asset” by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. (Registration number 13-0148)

2010s

2010 Apr.

Established HARIO Shanghai Co., Ltd.

2011 Feb.

Established HARIO Science Co., Ltd.

2012 Mar.

Established HARIO Korea Co., Ltd.

Nov.

HARIO Glass Co., Ltd. and HARIO TEC CO., LTD. merged to establish HARIO Co., Ltd.

2013 Oct.

Established Lampwork Factory (LWF).

Dec.

Established HARIO Paper Filter Factory in Amsterdam.

2014 Jun.

Established HARIO ASIA PTE. LTD.

Sep.

Established HARIO TRADING CO., LTD.

Dec.

Established HARIO USA, INC.

2015 Apr.

Established HARIO Lampwork Factory Co., Ltd.

Jul.

Established HARIO EUROPE B. V.

2016 Dec.

Opened Fukuoka Sales Office.

Established HIROIA COMMUNICATIONS PTE., LTD.

2017 Aug.

Opened Sapporo Sales Office.

Origin of the name “HARIO”

The name HARIO is Japanese for King of Glass 玻璃王 (HARIO). The company has continued to deliver the beauty of color and new richness through high quality and heatproof glass. The foundation of HARIO’ s business strategy is 真善美楽 (shinzenbiraku). To pursue the truth of nature and well-being of people and fulfill needs which in turn become profit. To attain and make excellent use of high-quality materials, mastered techniques, and skilled personnel. To provide service and finely crafted products of value to customers. To deliver pleasure to society and provide happiness and wealth to businesses and employees involved. With this philosophy at heart, HARIO will continue the journey of producing inspiring products.

Eco-friendly and safe heatproof glass

HARIO uses 100% natural minerals to refine heatproof glass making it an environmentally friendly material. The glass is able to withstand high heat and, acid making it suitable for use in microwave ovens. To improve the safety level of heatproof glass 100% natural salt is used to remove bubbles that form in the glass during the manufacturing process. HARIO continues to create heatproof glass that is safe to use and safe for the environment.

HEATPROOF GLASS >>

Reliable, Safe & Environmentally-friendly Production Process

With the safety of the heatproof glass being highly evaluated in the medical, physical and chemical fields, we deliver to everyone a product of plastic combined with glass that will not emit environmental hormones when heated in the microwave, and a product that does not use any material that will leave us in doubt. Also, in order to protect our valuable natural resources, HARIO is promoting reusable containers.

A factory without chimneys

ISO9001 (Quality Management System)
ISO14001 (Environmental Management System)

Since 1972, HARIO manufactures heatproof glass in a factory without chimneys. Removing chimneys was achieved by the independent development of technology to melt raw materials of glass with electricity rather than with fuel oil. This achievement changed the concept of glass factories which were known for smoke and dust pollution to factories that provide safety for the surrounding environment as well as for the employees working inside.