The KITZ Strategy

Led by Yuhsuke Shimizu, the chairman (left), and Kimio Kobayashi, the president and chief executive officer (right), our strategy is to manufacture valves, valve operators, and other flow control equipment of supremely reliable quality at competitive cost, using automated methods of production at all stages of the manufacturing process.  Much of our success as one of the world's leading valve manufacturers is due to our consistent dedication to quality improvement and product development.

Our Product Development and Flexibility Meet Industrial Needs
KITZ valves have hundreds of applications in a variety of industries, including public utilities, building construction, and the production and transport of natural gas and oil. Other key markets include processing industries, such as the food and beverage, pulp and paper, petrochemical-refining, chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical businesses. To fit the rapidly changing needs of these industries, we work continually to expand our product line. Our latest additions include actuator driven valves for computerized plant process control and valves for instrumentation, sanitation, and agriculture.

The development of new technologies for handling highly corrosive fluids has significantly increased the demand for valves made of highly corrosion resistant materials. KITZ manufactures high and low alloy steel valves in addition to a range of carbon steel, iron, bronze, and brass valves. Our production systems are principally quantity-oriented, but at our Nagasaka Plant near Tokyo we also handle orders for custom-made valves. The plant is equipped with several production lines flexible enough to meet varied customer requirements.

Our Integrated Production System Assures Superior Product Quality
Our unique integrated production system covers all phases of valve manufacturing, from casting and machining to assembly and testing. Present at all four of our domestic plants, this system employs quality control operations at every stage of production, from initial material inspections to final performance tests before shipment.

Another important part of our production strategy is our elaborate quality assurance system, which functions at all levels of company operations, coupled with our just-in-time production system. We also derive, from our direct handling of casting operations, such benefits as improved product quality, facilitated quality control, and an undisturbed production flow that minimizes delivery time. Our in-house casting operations now cover almost every type of valve we produce.

Finally, nearly every stage in the production of KITZ valves has been automated as far as current technology permits. We employ automated transfer lines in our machining operations and use automated equipment extensively in all assembly and testing. This effective application of up-to-date automation ensures that KITZ valves maintain uniformly high quality.

Our Customer Service Network Reinforces Customer Confidence
Customer satisfaction with our products is vital to KITZ and its operations. To better serve customers, the Company provides full technical assistance to its service network of valve modification shops throughout Japan and overseas. We continue to expand and strengthen the network, which is fully dedicated to meeting the Company's quality assurance program standards.

Our Strong Expansion Overseas Highlights our Success
Our reputation for high quality, competitive prices, and speedy delivery has contributed substantially to our expansion abroad. Since 1983, we have established overseas subsidiaries in the United States, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain and Mexico to handle either valve sales or manufacture. All efforts are directed to building on our reputation for superior product performance and reliability.