From humble beginnings to a global Tooling, Plastics Molding and semiconductor
powerhouse, our relentless passion for innovation has
been the common thread throughout our history
History
1925
Founded as "Katayama Kinosuke Shoten" by the first president, Kinosuke Katayama Started manufacturing and selling textile machinery.
1943
Reorganized into Kokoku Machine Works Co., Ltd.
1948
Reorganized as Katayama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
1960
Established a mold factory in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, and started manufacturing brick molds.
1962
Expanded Komaki Factory and started manufacturing tile molds.
1968
Headquarters and factory moved from Nagoya City to Komaki City.
1970
Established Iwaki Factory in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture and started manufacturing brick molds.
1979
Started production of die casting molds at Iwaki factory.
1981
Began manufacturing ceramic processing for automobiles, organic EL, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
1984
Established Kani Factory in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture and started manufacturing IC package molds for semiconductors.
1989
Advanced Special Tools Inc., a local subsidiary in Michigan, USA, established jointly with Koyo Materica Co., Ltd. (affiliated company of Okaya Co., Ltd.) for automobiles, semiconductors, wind power generation, solar panels, and medical applications. Started in mold manufacturing. After that, the shareholders changed to Thermalex (100% owned by Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd.) and Katayama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
1997
Established semiconductor mold manufacturing in Malaysia through merger with Sumitomo Corporation.
2005
Established Advanced Plastic Manufacturing INC., a local subsidiary in Michigan, USA, through a merger with Thermalex (100% owned by Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd.) to manufacture automobiles, semiconductors, wind power generation, solar panels, and medical resin molded products.
2022
Tomioka Factory in Fukushima Prefecture started operation and started manufacturing module parts for electric vehicles and power semiconductors.
2023
PHT Inc. completed the acquisition of Advanced Special Tools Inc. as part of its strategy to expand its semiconductor business in the United States and enhance collaboration with Japan-based semiconductor companies, including TOYOKOU.
2024
The subsidiary, Advanced Plastic Manufacturing Inc., was renamed PHT Semiconductor Inc. and initiated collaborations with U.S. universities and research institutes in advanced semiconductor technologies.
2025
Advanced Special Tools Inc. expanded its business portfolio to include semiconductor materials and equipment, further strengthening its presence in the U.S. market.
2026
Advanced Special Tools Inc. and its subsidiary were integrated through a merger, with AST as the surviving entity, to strengthen its focus on specialty tools, plastic components, and semiconductor materials, while expanding collaborations across advanced semiconductor technologies.