FACTORY

2009

BACKSTAGE

In the major eyeglass production center of Sabae in Fukui Prefecture, most of the factories are narrowly focused, and work is performed by specialists in the various fields, making high quality products of which Japan can be proud.

Against that background, in July 2009 Kaneko Optical established its own factory, BACKSTAGE, for the integrated production of plastic frames to pursue its own vision of ideal eyewear.

At the factory, all processes from product planning to design, material cutting, machining, polishing, assembly, and adjustment are performed under one roof.

When designers and makers share the same environment, a synergistic and organic feedback develops about subtle details about changes, intentions, and problems, which cannot be achieved in specialized factories.

In addition to plastic frames, BACKSTAGE also produces tortoiseshell frames with techniques passed down from local craftsmen. All this is done to pass on a deeper pursuit of beautiful handmade techniques to the future.

We integrate all production of processes, from shape cutting to polishing and assembly of plastic frames, using uncompromising manual techniques. Our factory was designed with the collaboration of a local architect, and uproots the conventional image of an eyeglass factory, establishing a new architectural landmark in Sabae.

2016

GLASSWORKS

While undertaking integrated production of plastic frames at BACKSTAGE, we also sought to bring the manufacture of metal frames in-house. However, in light of challenges such as the large number of manufacturing steps and high investment in equipment for metal frames, we decided to join with Eiko Optical, a company with superb technology for the production of metal frames.

In August 2016 we established GLASSWORKS, our second in-house factory, to focus on metal frames. Metal frames require about four times the number of steps of plastic frames and demand a particularly high level of technology.

The know-how of deeply experienced craftsmen and aggressive investments in new equipment have led us to expand and evolve our technology. We have invested in equipment such as machining centers to enable more complex cutting, and inverter welding, enabling in-house manufacture of technically demanding titanium frames and precise combi-frames.

The luster of a metal frame, achieved through long hours of repeated polishing, is its greatest appeal. With teamwork among our master craftsmen, we produce high quality, high precision frames.

2019

BASEMENT

Kaneko Optical has undergone many twists and turns as we developed our uncompromising approach to production, including the creation of a fully integrated production system and the development of in-house metal frame manufacturing. We then embarked on a new challenge: the introduction of advanced robots.

By assigning frame cutting and some parts of polishing to robots, we can fuse machine-made and hand-made techniques so skilled craftsmen can focus on delicate and important steps which exceed any machine's ability.

With such innovations in mind, we opened our third factory, BASEMENT, in March 2019. State of the art robots have been installed in the factory, where they cut and polish frames.

We respect all of Sabae's craftsmen and the traditions which have supported our eyeglass industry, and we commit to passing this culture to the next generation. Future possibilities abound in this generous space.