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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Products with complex and special parts, such as the neck of a syphon bowl or a glass handle, are processed by hand.
Products that have been processed have designs and marks printed on them using a color auto-printer.
The prints are then baked onto the products with a baking furnace called a decorating lehr. The products are then dried.
For completion, the handles, lids, and other accessories are installed, sorted into different categories, and packed into boxes.
Hiromu Shibata Works was founded at Kanda Sudacho, Tokyo, where the production and sales of laboratory glassware began.
Constructed a factory and a glass-melting furnace at Ueno Hanazonocho, Taito-ku, Tokyo to start research into glass melting.
Standard production of Hiromu-brand beakers, flasks, laboratory dishes, and coolers.
Succeeded in melting “HARIO Glass” (HARIO’s original glass material) after many years of research.
Constructed a glass-melting furnace at Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo, the location of the current headquarters.
Constructed the industry’s first tanking furnace for “HARIO Glass”, 1st-grade hardness glass in the new factory.
Qualified as a JIS certified factory (for chemical analysis glassware, and glass tubes and rods).
Installed the industry’s first automatic glass-tube molding machine.
Separated the heatproof glassware division to establish HARIO Co., Ltd. (formerly HARIO Sales Co., Ltd).
Succeeded in developing “HARIO-32 Glass,” 1st-grade hard glass, and started mass-production.
Completed the Koga Factory.
The Koga Factory started full-fledged operations.
Succeeded in developing the “all-electric melting furnace” using original technology. Started production using this furnace.
Branched out into the production of headlight lenses for the automobiles.
Received the Director-General’s Award for Science and Technology Agency.
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.
Separated from the Koga Factory to establish SIBATA GLASS CO., LTD.
Signed an agreement with Vetrerie Riunite S.p.A., Italy for licensing the electric melting technology for borosilicate glass.
Completed the plant for Shenyang Glass Instruments Factory in China.
HARIO Co., Ltd. was relocated to Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo, its birthplace.
HARIO Co., Ltd. and Sibata Glass Co., Ltd. merged to establish HARIO GLASS CO., LTD.
Established HARIO Distribution Center.
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.
Qualified as an ISO14001-authorized plant.
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)
Established HARIO Shanghai Co., Ltd.
Established HARIO Science Co., Ltd.
Established HARIO Korea Co., Ltd.
HARIO Glass Co., Ltd. and HARIO TEC CO., LTD. merged to establish HARIO Co., Ltd.
Established Lampwork Factory (LWF).
Established HARIO Paper Filter Factory in Amsterdam.
Established HARIO ASIA PTE. LTD.
Established HARIO TRADING CO., LTD.
Established HARIO USA, INC.
Established HARIO Lampwork Factory Co., Ltd.
Established HARIO EUROPE B. V.
Opened Fukuoka Sales Office.
Established HIROIA COMMUNICATIONS PTE., LTD.
Opened Sapporo Sales Office.
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.
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.
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.
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.