#Japan #Shizuoka #Kimura Group #Aluminum Casting

Kimura Group Expands Aluminum Casting Capabilities

In a significant move to enhance its production capacity, Kimura Group has inaugurated the Advanced Aluminum HQ Plant at its headquarters in Shizuoka, Japan. This facility, which became operational in February 2026, marks a pivotal expansion in the company's nearly century-long legacy of foundry expertise, frequently being at the forefront of casting innovation. It is designed primarily for the development of large, thin-walled aluminum castings, tailored for both prototype and small-lot production.

Advanced Casting Technologies

The new plant employs cutting-edge technologies, including low-pressure sand casting (LPSC) and V-Process vacuum molding. These methods ensure that the aluminum components produced exhibit material properties akin to those made through high-pressure and low-pressure die casting processes. This approach significantly alleviates the challenges faced by manufacturers, who often have to choose between speed and production-level performance. With Kimura's proprietary heat-treatment technologies, sand castings now achieve comparable material characteristics, allowing clients to complete design validation prior to investing in permanent tooling, which in turn reduces development time, costs, and design risks.

Kimura’s new facility is capable of creating substantial, thin-wall structural aluminum castings—referred to as gigacastings (or megacastings)—with wall thicknesses as slim as 2mm. This capability is essential for producing next-generation structural components, where lightweight construction and increased sizes are becoming the norm in the automotive industry.

Facility Features

Additionally, the Advanced Aluminum HQ Plant boasts low-pressure casting machinery equipped to handle capacities of 200kg and 400kg. In conjunction with a large T6 heat-treatment furnace and sand mold forming equipment, the facility will offer a seamless pathway from prototype development to low-volume production. Kimura is also planning to extend the plant with a dedicated production line for small-lot manufacturing using conventional patterns, demonstrating a commitment to meeting client demands for flexibility and efficiency.

Kentaro Higaki, Executive Vice President of Kimura Foundry Co., Ltd., highlighted the strategic importance of this investment. He stated, "This investment reflects Kimura's continued commitment to helping customers accelerate product development without sacrificing quality or performance. Our new aluminum plant combines advanced casting technologies with decades of manufacturing expertise to provide prototype solutions that more closely represent production qualities, and meet modern requirements for large, lightweight parts.”

A Rich Heritage and Future Vision

Founded in 1927, the Kimura Group has nearly a century of rich experience in the realms of sand casting and advanced manufacturing technologies. The company maintains several operational facilities across Japan and serves a global clientele through its expanding presence, including Kimura Foundry America situated in Shelbyville, Indiana.

Through ongoing investments in state-of-the-art casting processes, aluminum production, and the integration of digital technologies, Kimura continually strives to support manufacturers in speeding up product development while satisfactorily addressing the evolving demands of contemporary industries.

Conclusion

As Kimura Group embarks on this new chapter with its Advanced Aluminum HQ Plant, the company not only reinforces its status as a leader in aluminum casting but also reaffirms its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in a fast-evolving marketplace. The opening of this facility promises to provide clients with enhanced capabilities, improving both the efficiency and quality of aluminum castings for years to come.