Three Taiyo Group companies develop 100th anniversary projects

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura; hereafter “Taiyo Kogyo”), which is engaged in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering and logistics materials, and event consulting firm TSP Taiyo Co. (headquartered in Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumitaka Awano; “Actio”), an event and facility management company, will jointly develop the group’s 100th anniversary project over a one-year period starting on Monday, August 1.

Taiyo Group was founded in 1922 as Nomura Tent Shokai, and later restarted with a single sewing machine and a pair of scissors amidst the burnt ruins of the postwar period. Since its founding, the company has been introducing unique products that utilize the characteristics of “membrane” materials, based on the desire to “contribute to society as much as possible and deliver excitement to as many people as possible. Based on membrane technology, TSP Taiyo and ACTIO were born as a result of undertaking the construction and operation of the large-scale pavilion at the 1970 Osaka World’s Fair, and the three companies of today’s group, which originated with Nomura Tent Shokai, were formed, growing into a group with total sales of 74 billion yen.

As a 100th anniversary project, we will continue to pursue the possibilities of membranes, spaces, and experiences while enhancing synergy among Taiyo Kogyo for membrane technology, TSP Taiyo for event production and consulting, and ACTIO for event and facility management, by creating new businesses through cross-group social contribution activities and human resource exchange, We aim to make further progress as a group.

At the start of the 100th anniversary project, we have created a symbol mark to be used commonly by the three group companies. The symbol mark, which is based on the image of a shining sun, expresses the Group’s business that has continued to expand over the past 100 years. This is the first time that the three companies, all of which originated from Nomura Tent Shokai, have used the same symbol mark. The symbol mark will be used on each company’s website and business cards.

On March 29, 2022, prior to the start of the 100th anniversary project, Yumi Noumura (=Yuki Noumura), a founding family member, was appointed president of Taiyo Kogyo. Noumura became president of TSP Taiyo in 2017, and based on his achievement of a 1.5-fold increase in sales in five years, he is the eldest son of the Taiyo Group, and was appointed president of Taiyo Kogyo. Influenced by the sluggish construction industry, Taiyo Kogyo is facing a difficult business environment, with a 10% decrease in sales in 2021, and will strengthen its business foundation under the leadership of the president of the founding family, who has high centripetal force. In addition, Yoshinori Ikezawa (=Yoshinori Ikezawa) was appointed president of TSP Taiyo in June 2022. Mr. Ikezawa has been driving TSP Taiyo’s core business for more than 30 years, including participation in venue planning, operations, and transportation projects for international expositions such as the World Resort Expo and Aichi Expo, and has contributed to TSP Taiyo’s growth with Mr. Nomura as Vice President for the past five years.

The Taiyo Group is engaged in a wide range of businesses, including construction, events, and facility management, but the source of its success is its one-of-a-kind membrane technology. Pursuing the possibilities of “membranes” without being restricted to existing products or construction sites will be essential for Taiyo Kogyo’s growth over the next 100 years.

For example, “membranes” are lightweight and fold up small, making them ideal materials for use in the space environment. Taiyo Kogyo has been working on space-related projects under a cooperation agreement signed between the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (JAXA), Tokyo University of Science Educational Corporation, and Shimizu Corporation, starting with the “Space Colony Demonstration Module” to verify space habitats, which was fabricated in 2019. The verification has started. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Masakazu Toyoda), which provides small rocket launch services for small satellites, and plans to actively introduce the TAIYO YUDEN Group’s membrane technology in space-related businesses, including support for construction of facilities around launch sites on the ground and event management. The company plans to actively introduce its membrane technology to space-related businesses. In addition, as energy problems become more serious, we have begun research on sailing wind power generation using membranes, and this research and development has great potential for the future.

Sailing Wind Turbine Experimental Vessel

In addition to research and development, it is also important for us to maintain the world’s top share in the field of large membrane surface structures (tent structures). As a market leader in a severe economic and social environment, we will continue to contribute to society through human and urban development, including space creation utilizing membrane technology, in order to make a leap forward over the next 100 years.

Taiyo Kogyo is a “leading company of membrane structures” that aims to support the safety and security of society and contribute to the realization of affluent lifestyles for people. Taking advantage of the characteristics of light and strong materials, Taiyo Kogyo is expanding its products into various construction businesses symbolized by the roofs of giant domes, as well as into civil engineering, logistics, and even the environmental field. In recent years, in particular, the company has been attracting public attention for its emergency response to the many disasters that have occurred in various regions, as well as for its medical tents used to combat the new type of coronas.

Number of employees: 563 (as of December 2021)
Annual sales: 47.3 billion yen (FY2021)
□Official HP: https://www.taiyokogyo.co.jp/

TSP Taiyo Corporation, celebrating its 67th anniversary this year, is a group of professionals who create inspiring venues from consulting to event production. Since the 1970 Osaka Expo, we have been involved in the production of various events, including major international events. As an event consulting company, we provide total solutions from preliminary revenue and expenditure planning to creative design production, architectural design, construction, and operation. We can also provide everything from digital events that utilize the latest XR technology to face-to-face events that allow for realistic interaction between people, or hybrid events that include elements of both.

Number of employees: 217 (as of December 2022, including contract employees, etc.)
Annual sales: 17.13 billion yen (FY2021)
□Official HP： https://www.tsp-taiyo.co.jp

Actio Corporation has recruited staff to work in pavilions at expositions, planned and implemented training, created manuals and managed day-to-day operations, and assisted with operations that allow visitors to experience the organizer’s spirit through all five senses. Based on this track record, we now provide not only reception and information services at events and expositions, but also at a wide variety of permanent facilities where people gather, such as leisure facilities, cultural facilities, and community facilities, as well as comprehensive management and operation of public facilities as a designated manager to meet the demands and expectations of our clients. We will continue to contribute to society by creating “people and towns” through the operation of events and public facilities.

Number of employees: 124 employees, 1,180 contract employees, 934 part-time employees (as of December 2021)
Annual sales: 9.63 billion yen (FY2021)
□Official HP： https://www.actio.co.jp/