About Us
Company Overview
| President | Shigetaka Takigawa |
|---|---|
| Established | 1876 |
| Incorporated | 1964 |
| Capital | JP¥ 40,000,000.- |
| Business | Manufacturer & Exporter of Cutting tools, Design & Development of Production Machines |
| Number of Employees | 199 |
| Head Office | 476-3 Handaiji-Cho, Naka-ku, Sakai City, Osaka, 599-8267 Japan |
| TEL | +81-72-260-2126 |
| FAX | +81-72-272-0400 |
| Headquarter Factory | 476-3 Handaiji-Cho, Naka-ku, Sakai City, Osaka, 599-8267 Japan |
| Sakai 2nd Factory | 156-5 Kena-Cho, Naka-ku, Sakai City, Osaka, 599-8267 Japan |
| Group Company | 2292-6 Mikenoyama, Nojiri-Cho, Kobayashi City, Miyazaki, 886-0213 Japan |
History of ARS
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1876
The Beginning of ARS
Torakichi Takigawa founded Takigawa Manufacturing in Sakai, Osaka, beginning with the production of specialized knives for cutting tobacco leaves.
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1947
Rebuilding from the Ruins of War
Shigetsugu Takigawa, the third-generation head of the family business, rebuilt the factory after the war. Using tools recovered from the ruins, production began again with sewing irons.
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1952–1953
The Birth of the ARS Brand
Following the successful development of its first pruning shears, the company adopted the name ARS, derived from the Latin word for “art” or “skill.” Its first red pruning shears also established the red that would later become ARS’s corporate color.
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1960
A Breakthrough in Saw Technology
ARS developed the world’s first saw featuring its patented ground tooth-setting technology, enabling the consistent production of high-quality saw blades through precision grinding. This innovation became one of ARS’s signature technologies.
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1964
ARS Edges Co., Ltd. Established
The business was incorporated as ARS Edges Co., Ltd., marking a new chapter in the company’s growth.
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1973
The Beginning of Overseas Business
As inquiries from abroad increased, ARS began exporting its products, taking its first steps into international markets.
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1974
Impulse Hardening Introduced
ARS introduced impulse-hardening equipment from West Germany, further advancing its saw manufacturing technology.
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1978
Pioneering the Long-Reach Pruner in Japan
Inspired by growers who attached pruning shears to poles for working at height, ARS became the first company in Japan to commercialize a long-reach pruner.
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1981
Expanding into Global Markets
ARS established an International Trade Department and began developing distributor-based sales networks in markets around the world.
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1992
Becoming ARS Corporation
The company changed its name to ARS Corporation and renewed its corporate identity. The Senboku Factory, now home to the company’s headquarters, was also completed that year.
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1995
Setting a New Standard for Safety
After participating in the development of safety standards for long-reach pruners, ARS became the first manufacturer in Japan authorized to display the SG Mark on these products.
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2011
The VS Series Goes Global
ARS launched the VS Series of replaceable-blade pruning shears for international markets, further developing the cutting performance and serviceability that had long defined ARS pruning tools.
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2011-2025
Expanding into Electric Pruning
Building on generations of expertise in cutting tools, ARS expanded into electric pruning—from the EP-700 to the cordless EP-720 and today’s EP and ET Series—while continuing to pursue clean cuts and intuitive operation.
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2026
150 Years of ARS
ARS celebrates 150 years since Torakichi Takigawa founded the business in 1876—continuing a tradition of craftsmanship, innovation, and commitment to solving customers’ cutting challenges.
