Since its founding in the Meiji Era, Kowabo has continued to grow alongside society for over 130 years.
While adapting to changing times, we remain committed to quality and will continue to evolve as a forward-looking company.
The History of Kowabo
Founded Hattori Kanesaburo Wholesale Store, a cotton fabric wholesaler.
Founded by Kanesaburo Hattori under his own name. This marks the beginning of the history of Kowabo.Established Hattori & Co., Ltd.
The company expanded from its traditional business of cotton fabric exports and domestic sales into areas like spinning, weaving, and dyeing, growing into an integrated textile company.
Started weaving operations at the Sakurada Factory.
Started spinning operations at the Atsuta Factory.
Started dyeing operations at Nankai Senko Co., Ltd.
Started sewing operations at the Wakayama Factory.
Established Kaneka Hattori & Co., Ltd. to transfer the trading division.
After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War and its subsequent escalation into the Pacific War and Japan’s eventual defeat, the majority of the company’s factories were damaged by air raids.Changed the company name to Kowa Spinning Co., Ltd.
Amid the post-war turmoil, the company moved swiftly toward reconstruction.The company name was changed to Kowa Spinning Co., Ltd., choosing "Kowa" to reflect the aspiration of "fostering peace" — in Japanese, "Heiwa wo okosu" — and the company worked to restore the factories.
Listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange. Established Horita Reizo Corporation.
Rebuilt an integrated textile production system and diversified into businesses including refrigerated warehousing and golf driving ranges, utilizing former factory sites.
Relocated the headquarters to its current location.
Listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange.
Started the general merchandise business.
As the world fell into another global recession, the spinning industry entered a prolonged decline.Starting with the discontinuation of the Kochino Factory’s processed yarn division in 1974, the company subsequently closed all domestic textile-related plants, ending with the closure of the Matsusaka Factory in 1996. As it withdrew from the textile business, the company began exploring new business fields.
Started printing operations at Sanko Printing Co., Ltd.
Opened a large-scale commercial facility on the former site of the Chiryu Factory.
Transferred the textile business to Kowa Company, Ltd.
Established Kowabo Company, Ltd.
Delisted company shares through a tender offer.
Kowabo Company, Ltd. merged with and absorbed Kowa Spinning Co., Ltd.
The group began to pursue new business themes in line with changes in its business structure.Began leasing an office building in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Started manufacturing plastic molded products at the Takahashi Factory.
Today, we continue to enjoy global growth, focusing on the businesses of printing, general merchandise import and export, and real estate leasing.