Find out why and how presidents of MOBIO exhibitors started "INNOVATION and CHALLENGE" through the special interview. The latest "Meet the President" article is Mr. Nishiyama of BIZEN CO., LTD.

BIZEN is a special steel component manufacturer even for single‑piece orders. With a wide range of machining equipment and highly skilled operators who know how to use them, the company can manage the entire process in‑house.

　L) Mr. Nishiyama

　R) High‑hardness products made from special steel

Nishiyama practices a "leadership by empowerment" style, similar to servant leadership. Every morning, he meets with seven key representatives--"Seven Samurai"--to discuss the workplace and make decisions together.

●Defining Feature: Precision Grinding for Special Steel

　　[End‑to‑end manufacturing system incorporating machining and grinding]

The company's products are tools used for stamping, so they must have a higher level of hardness than the materials to be processwd. "We increase the hardness by quenching special steel that has been adjusted by adding other metallic elements to iron," said Nishiyama.

And apart from mass production, the company has actively accepted one‑off orders since its founding. This approach has contributed to its advantage of maintaining an integrated production system. Most processes--including machining, heat treatment, grinding, surface coating, and inspection--are carried out in‑house.

One particularly noteworthy process is grinding. Grinding is a process that involves gradually removing material from the surface using a grinding machine. It achieves higher dimensional accuracy than machining, making it an essential finishing step after hardening. In the machining of special steels, it is an indispensable technique. The company originally started with grinding and has since developed a balanced approach to both machining and grinding, which sets it apart from its competitors.

●Precision Reveals True Craftsmanship

　L) Machining Processes for Various Materials

　R) 100% Quality Check Using Advanced Measurement Tools

As a business leader, Nishiyama believes that every journey begins with the first step.

When employees request new tools to take on fresh challenges, he makes it a priority to provide them whenever possible. He also leads, saying, "My job is to bring back information," and actively takes initiative himself.

This mindset is reflected not only in manufacturing techniques but also in the company's commitment to carefully listening to customers and responding to their needs.

"We're not necessarily doing anything extraordinary when it comes to technical skills," Nishiyama explains. "Many companies have similar capabilities--the real difference lies in how attentive and meticulous we are."

Following its principles of "taking the first step" and "communicating with care," Bizen is committed to a customer‑first approach. The company delivers high‑quality parts with short lead times, from industrial machinery components to press‑die parts.

Interviewed in 2025

Send your question or request from here to BIZEN CO., LTD.