Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.|A circular knitting machine manufacturer boasting a world-class market share

Company History

  • 1923

    photo of tomosuke-fukuharaFukuhara Tomosuke Shoten was established in Osaka and started to import/export textile machinery.

  • 1938

    Production of 6 feet lathes began and the company was established.
    photo of desktop-lathephoto of desktop-engraving

  • 1945

    The company was renamed to Fukuhara Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd.

  • 1956

    photo of shouzou-fukuhara Manufacturing division was separated from Fukuhara Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd. to be an independent company as “Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.”.
    Shozo Fukuhara was inaugurated as President of Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd..
    Main machine models then produced: STS-L, STS-M, STS-P, FIL, FIL-D, MF, MF-T, RIM and JWS
    photo of MF-Tphoto of STS

  • 1961

    Business/technical collaboration contract was concluded with Monarch Knitting Machinery Corp. in USA. Model PFW, pattern wheel single knit jacquard machine
    Cylinder exchange system for gauge alteration on single knit machines

  • 1963

    FJ-3R (precision-enhanced single knit raceway machine) equipped with square cam set pieces for the first time in the world.This model further devolved into the world’s renowned FJ-4R.
    photo of FJ-3Rphoto of FJ-3R
    Participated for the first time in #46 KAE (Knitting Art Exhibition) in held USA and fully entered into the US market through Monarch Knitting Machinery Corp.

  • 1967

    Participated for the first time in ITMA held in Basel, Switzerland and started marketing in Europe. photo of JIL-7 JIL-7 in 28 gauge, the best selling machine in Japan

  • 1968

    photo of XL-4R XL frame, platform for single knit convertible series. Launched convertible machines on the market.

  • 1970

    L frame, new frame for double knit machines
    LJW-60, double knit design-wheel jacquard machine with multi-feeders

  • 1973

    photo of LEC-48 LEC-48, double knit electronic needle selection machine

  • 1974

    photo of LIM-108 LIM-108A equipped with the world’s first closed cam systemThis model greatly enhanced knitting performance and productivity.

  • 1978

    SEC-24S, the world’s first single knit electronic 3-position needle selection machine

  • 1980

    SEC-24Y, the world’s first single knit electronic needle selection machine with 4-color auto-stripers

  • 1981

    Double knit auto-stripers

  • 1984

    SEC-36Y, single knit electronic needle selection machine with auto-stripers

  • 1985

    photo of technology-research-institute Knitting Technology Research Laboratory was completed.

  • 1984

    SEC-36Y, single knit electronic needle selection machine with auto-stripers

  • 1988

    FX-Z4S (single knit machine) was developed.

  • 1995

    The head office/factory was totally damaged in the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
    photo of the-Great-hanshin-awaji-earthquakephoto of the-Great-hanshin-awaji-earthquake

  • 1996

    Seishin factory was built in Seishin Science Park in Nishi-ku, Kobe to be engaged in machining of knitting machine parts. V-SECPL, single knit electronic sinker selection machine

  • 1997

    The head office/main factory was re-constructed in Higashinada-ku, Kobe.

  • 1999

    The factories acquired ISO9001 certification. V-LEC4D, double knit machine having both cylinder and dial electronic needle selection

  • 2000

    V-LEC4DGTY, double knit garment strip machine having both cylinder and dial electronic needle selection with 4-color auto-stripers

  • 2001

    ATSS (Automatic Tape Speed System) and ACSS (Automatic Central Stitch System)

  • 2003

    V-AERGY, double knit garment length machine with 4-color auto-stripers

  • 2004

    VX-SECWY6, single knit electronic needle selection machine with a wrap insertion mechanism and 6-color auto-stripers

  • 2005

    VX-RSY3RE, single knit electronic needle selection machine with 3-color auto-stripers

  • 2006

    V-FY3, double knit multi-feeder machine with 3-color auto-stripers
    OD4-VXC-A3, single knit raceway machine with open width take-up device

  • 2007

    V-LEC4DSI, double knit electronic jacquard machine with needle selection systems on both cylinder and dial

    <World’s first ultra-fine gauge, 36G, electronic jacquard machine>
    V-LEC6BSD & V-LEC7BSD, double knit electronic needle selection machine
    V-SEC4BFY6, single knit electronic needle selection machine with 6-color auto-stripers

  • 2008

    V-LEC4DGTFY6, double knit garment-length electronic jacquard machine with both-side needle selection

  • 2009

    Single knit ultra fine gauge (60G) machine, VXC-S3.2 was developed. Seishin new factory building was inaugurated. PFW’s Higashinada headquarters were moved to and integrated into Seishin factory on this occasion.

  • 2010

    Developed M-LEC8BSC, a dedicated multi-feeder mattress ticking Machine.
    With 38 inches and 108 feeders, the productivity of mattress ticking is dramatically improved.

  • 2011

    Developed of next-generation single jersey raceway E3.2RE.
    Developed of M-LEC6DSIB, a multi-feeders full jacquard on both dial & cylinder.

  • 2012

    Developed of MX-3.2FY3RE, a multi-feeder with auto striper.

  • 2013

    Developed the quarter gauge knit M-4ALQG and proposed a new circular knit to the industry.
    Developed of HXC-Z4SBP, an ultra-high-speed single jersey raceway machine.
    Speed factor is 1750 and overwhelming productivity.

  • 2014

    Developed of MX-S1.6CDF, a three end fleece machine for course gauges.

  • 2015

    Developed of M-LEC8BSH, Ultra-high-speed mattress ticking machine.
    Developed of MX-SECPLFY3ME, full jacquard on both cylinder & sinker.
    Achieves mesh + pile knitting that has never been seen before.

  • 2016

    Developed of M-LEC7BSH, Ultra-high-speed mattress ticking machine.
    Developed of MX-JS3D, an ultra-fine gauge semi-jacquard machine.

  • 2017

    Developed of M-7DSIB, a multi-feeders full jacquard on both dial & cylinder.
    Developed of M-4.0MI, a multi-feeders interlock machine.

  • 2018

    Developed of LEC4DSCFY5, a double jersey with auto striper full jacquard machine. The newly developed stitch canceling mechanism makes it easier to organize multi-colored jacquards. Concluded a partnership agreement on needle oil with a super major French petrochemical manufacturer TOTAL. Pursuing higher performance needle oil and machine oil with TOTAL.

  • 2019

    Developed of next-generation single jersey raceway machine M2XC-A3.2RE with improved knitting performance and energy-saving performance.
    At the same time, we developed a OD7 frame equipped with a OD7 open width device.

  • continued to the present