Introduction
“Isn’t there a way to make this on-site work safer and more efficient?” “If only we had a special work platform that fits perfectly in this limited space, our work would be much smoother…”
Have you ever felt this way during your daily operations? Commercially available standard ladders, stepladders, and work platforms are certainly useful in many situations. However, work sites vary widely. There are undoubtedly many situations where standard products just can’t quite meet the unique challenges and special requirements of each site.
Before resigning yourself with, “Well, we’ll just have to make do with the current method…”, we urge you to learn about the world of “custom-made (order-made)” solutions offered by Hasegawa Kogyo. This article introduces Hasegawa’s custom manufacturing, which has responded to each customer’s “problem!” with years of cultivated technical expertise and passion, truly providing solutions that “address specific needs precisely.”
What kinds of challenges have been solved, and how? Let’s explore the possibilities and appeal through numerous concrete manufacturing examples. By the time you finish reading this article, you may see a new path towards solving the challenges your company faces, understanding Hasegawa’s custom capabilities and reliable process.
Can’t Standard Products Solve It? On-Site “Problems!”
Why are “custom-made products” necessary in the first place? It’s because every site – factories, construction sites, laboratories, stores – has a different face. Standard products cater to the lowest common denominator of needs. That’s precisely why voices sometimes arise saying, “Standard products are a bit problematic…” like the examples below.
Examples of Site-Specific Issues
- Dimensions/Shape Don’t Fit!
- “I want a work platform that fits perfectly around this machine, but standard products leave too much gap…”
- “Is there a stepladder with a special height that can be used in this low-ceiling room?”
- “I need a slim ladder that can easily pass through this narrow passage.”
- Use in Special Environments
- “It’s a cleanroom, so the material must not generate dust.”
- “We handle food, so it absolutely must be rust-proof stainless steel.”
- “Working in an electrical room. I’m looking for a highly insulating FRP ladder to prevent electric shock.”
- “We use chemicals here, so the material needs to be chemical-resistant…”
- Want More Convenient Features!
- “We handle heavy items on the work platform, so we need more stability. Can outriggers (※extendable legs for tip-over prevention) be attached?”
- “We move it frequently, so casters that allow easy movement would be great.”
- “I want to work a bit higher, so handrails would provide peace of mind…”
- “Workers have different heights, so an easily adjustable height function is essential.”
- Compliance with Regulations and Safety Standards
- “We need to clear safety standards specific to this industry.”
- “We want specifications that meet our company’s strict safety standards.”
How about that? Perhaps some items applied to your own site. Carefully picking up on each of these different on-site “problems!” and shaping them into optimal solutions – that is Hasegawa’s custom-made solution approach.
Hasegawa Gives It Shape! Custom Manufacturing Case Studies
“Easier said than done,” but what kind of “problems!” have actually been solved by Hasegawa? Here, we introduce some examples of custom products created together with customers from various industries.
Case Study 1: [Manufacturing] “Custom Work Platform with Height Adjustment Function” Balancing Efficiency and Safety in an Automotive Parts Factory
- Customer Issue (Before): On the parts assembly line, standard work platforms forced awkward working postures, hindering efficiency. A work platform with height adjustment and sufficient load capacity was needed, as the optimal height varied for each worker.
- Hasegawa’s Proposal/Production (Action): After detailed hearings on the customer’s requirements, we custom-designed an aluminum work platform equipped with a height adjustment function, balancing smooth operation and durability. The load capacity was made capable up to 300kg, and safety was ensured by applying anti-slip processing to the top plate.
- Implementation Effect (After): Being able to work at the optimal height significantly improved work efficiency and reduced physical strain on workers. The customer was very pleased, stating, “It’s now comfortable for anyone to use, dramatically improving site safety and efficiency.”
- Reference: https://www.hasegawa-kogyo.co.jp/product/WB-a
Case Study 2: [Railway Industry] Making Daily Vehicle Maintenance Safer and More Reliable. “Custom-Designed Work Platform and Gangway”
- Customer Issue (Before): During railway vehicle maintenance, there was no work platform that perfectly matched the width of the vehicle entrance, creating a gap between the platform and the vehicle, posing a fall risk. A dedicated gangway (stair-like passage) for safe ascent and descent was also required.
- Hasegawa’s Proposal/Production (Action): We manufactured an aluminum work platform with a top plate shape custom-designed to match the vehicle’s shape and entrance width. The key point was adding a “movable safety fence” to prevent falls during work. Furthermore, we designed and delivered a dedicated gangway optimized for the site, considering easy climbing angles and handrail spacing.
- Implementation Effect (After): The gap between the work platform and the vehicle was eliminated, and the movable fence dramatically improved safety during work. The dedicated gangway made ascent and descent smooth. We received high praise from site personnel, saying, “We can now concentrate on work with peace of mind,” and “The stability is completely different.”
- Reference: https://www.aperza.com/catalog/page/10009001/31803/
Case Study 3: [Aerospace Industry] Precise Scaffolding Nestling Against Giant Fuselages. “Custom Large Work Platform for Aircraft/Rocket Inspection”
- Customer Issue (Before): Aircraft and rockets are huge structures with complex, three-dimensional curved surfaces. To safely and efficiently inspect and maintain every corner, special large work platforms (scaffolding) that perfectly fit the fuselage shape were essential.
- Hasegawa’s Proposal/Production (Action): Based on 3D data of the fuselage provided by the customer, we carried out design work requiring literal millimeter precision. Using lightweight and easily processable aluminum as the main material, we manufactured a completely custom-made large work platform featuring shapes curved along the complex fuselage surface and handrails ensuring safety at heights.
- Implementation Effect (After): Previously difficult-to-access areas became safely and reliably reachable, significantly improving the quality and speed of inspection and maintenance work. We were able to meet the demands of the aerospace field, which requires extremely high safety standards.
- Reference: https://www.hasegawa-kogyo.co.jp/ordermade/
Case Study 4: [Food/Pharmaceutical Industry] Balancing Hygiene Management and Work Flow. “Stainless Steel Custom Stepladder and Over-Bridge”
- Customer Issue (Before): In food factories, hygiene management is the top priority. Equipment used must be made of rust-resistant and easily washable stainless steel. Additionally, factory floors are often slippery due to water, making stepladder stability crucial. There was also a desire to install a walkway (over-bridge) to safely cross production lines and reduce the risk of foreign object contamination from falling items.
- Hasegawa’s Proposal/Production (Action): As requested, we used high-quality stainless steel. Special anti-slip processing was applied to the stepladder legs for excellent stability even on wet floors. A folding function was added for space-saving storage. The over-bridge was designed with maximum consideration for hygiene, incorporating a structure to prevent debris and foreign objects from falling from above the line.
- Implementation Effect (After): The introduction of stepladders that met hygiene standards while being safe and easy to use, along with an over-bridge enabling efficient workflow, improved the factory’s overall hygiene management level and productivity. We received delighted feedback from site staff: “We can now work with peace of mind,” and “Movement has become smoother.”
- Reference: https://www.hasegawa-kogyo.co.jp/ordermade/ (Source from Perplexity reference [2])
Case Study 5: [Research Institutions] Ensuring Safety in Delicate Environments. “FRP Custom Insulated Ladder”
- Customer Issue (Before): At a university research facility, maintenance needed to be performed on precise electrical equipment installed at height. Due to the risk of electric shock, a ladder with “insulating” properties (non-conductive) was mandatory. However, the installation location was extremely narrow, and commercially available insulated ladders were too large to fit.
- Hasegawa’s Proposal/Production (Action): We selected FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic), which offers excellent electrical insulation, is lightweight, and durable. We designed and manufactured a compact custom ladder with dimensions adjusted in millimeters to fit the narrow space.
- Implementation Effect (After): Maintenance work could now be performed safely without fear of electric shock. The compact design allowed smooth work even in previously difficult narrow spaces, contributing to the efficiency of research activities. We received high praise from the research institution staff: “This product satisfies both safety and functionality.”
Hasegawa’s Custom Capability: Technology and Process
How can Hasegawa Kogyo continue to meet such diverse and difficult demands from various industries? It’s not just about manufacturing products; it’s about a sincere commitment to solving customer challenges, supported by solid technical capabilities and a reliable process.
From Design to Production: Wide-Ranging Capability and Flexible Customization
Hasegawa’s custom support is exceptionally broad.
- Any product? We handle basic ladders, stepladders, and work platforms, of course, but also scaffolding platforms, bridges (walkways), gangways, special platforms for cargo handling, and even evacuation equipment – essentially, anything related to “climbing” and “working.”
- Can materials be chosen? You can select the optimal material according to the usage environment and purpose, including standard lightweight and easy-to-handle aluminum, rust and chemical-resistant stainless steel, and non-conductive FRP.
- Function customization? From basic specifications like dimensions, shape, and load capacity designation, to diverse customizations like leg extension, folding mechanisms, casters for movement, handrails and outriggers for enhanced safety, and special features like electrical insulation and anti-slip processing – we offer various options to realize the customer’s “I want this!” It’s truly the spirit of “If it doesn’t exist, we make it.”
Customer-Centric, Reliable Production Process and Guaranteed Quality
Hasegawa’s custom products are delivered to customers through the following process:
- First, Tell Us Your Story (Inquiry & Hearing): Everything starts with understanding the customer’s “problem!” Our specialized staff will carefully listen to understand the challenges and what you want to achieve.
- Considering the Optimal Shape (Specification Meeting & Design): Based on the information gathered, site conditions, budget, etc., we consider and propose the optimal specifications together. Using CAD and other tools, we create detailed drawings, confirm with the customer, and finalize the details. Full custom orders, as well as custom orders based on existing products, are possible.
- Shaping It with Skilled Craftsmanship (Production): Once specifications are finalized, production begins. At our production bases in East and West Japan, experienced craftsmen carefully and responsibly create each product one by one. Particularly in the welding process, which affects strength and quality, we adhere to a system where one welder handles a single product from start to finish.
- Checking with a Critical Eye (Inspection): Completed products undergo rigorous quality inspection before shipment. We check various items such as strength, safety, dimensional accuracy, and appearance, and only products that clear Hasegawa’s standards are delivered to the customer.
- Delivering Responsibly and Beyond (Delivery & After-Sales Support): We ensure reliable delivery management, but Hasegawa’s job doesn’t end there. As needed, we conduct workshops on safe product usage, respond to consultations for regular safety inspections and repairs, and provide solid support to customers even after delivery.
Valuing dialogue with the customer above all, and taking responsibility consistently from design through production to after-sales support – this is Hasegawa’s approach to custom manufacturing and the source of trust from our customers.
Regarding Custom Support in Vietnam
“By the way, can we request custom products in Vietnam just like in Japan?” This is likely a significant point of interest for companies operating globally.
Hasegawa Vietnam’s Support Status
There is some variation in the information gathered on this point. According to information from Felo, Hasegawa Vietnam operates with a system similar to Japan, responding to consultations for custom products from customers within Vietnam and handling everything from design to production. Manufacturing at their factory within Vietnam is expected to offer benefits in terms of delivery time and cost. It seems they have a track record of providing custom products tailored to local climate and industrial needs (e.g., stainless steel or FRP products resistant to high temperature and humidity).
On the other hand, information from Perplexity suggests that while custom support at Hasegawa Vietnam is “presumed” possible, detailed information on official websites etc., could not be confirmed, stating that “specific information requires direct inquiry.”
Thus, while the nuances differ slightly depending on the information source, it seems highly probable that Hasegawa is advancing custom support in the Vietnamese market, backed by the high technical capabilities and know-how of Hasegawa Kogyo in Japan.
For definite information and the feasibility regarding your specific requirements, we strongly recommend contacting Hasegawa Vietnam directly. You will surely receive optimal proposals and support tailored to solving your unique challenges.
Summary
For on-site “problems!” that standard commercial products simply cannot solve, Hasegawa Kogyo’s “custom-made (order-made)” manufacturing can be your powerful ally.
Through this article, we hope you have understood the following points:
- Problem-Solving Ability Proven by Track Record: Abundant problem-solving achievements cultivated across diverse industries, from manufacturing to aerospace.
- Turning “Can’t” into “Can”: High technical capabilities and flexible responsiveness aiming to meet any customer request.
- Thorough Commitment to Safety and Quality: Strict standards and inspection systems, and a reliable manufacturing process.
- Customer-First Approach: Collaborative manufacturing that begins with careful listening.
“Where can I order something this specialized…?” “I want to further enhance the safety of this operation…”
If you are facing such concerns, please do not give up – consult with us at Hasegawa Kogyo. We don’t just make products. We pour all our passion and technology into creating the “optimal one” to improve your worksite.
Now, shall we find your company’s unique “optimal solution”?