36 | Sector Focus: Panel Products: Nankai Plywood
Above: Production in Indonesia using falcata wood
SUMMARY
■ Nankai Plywood’s roots stem back to 1942
■ The Group has operations in Japan, Indonesia and France
■ The J-Light Board has a falcata core and thin MDF faces
■ Nankai is targeting the UK market EAST MEETS WEST
Nankai Plywood has a rich 80-year manufacturing history and has embarked on a new phase of growth with an acquisition, a new factory and marketing moves to target fresh markets. Stephen Powney spoke to Nankai Plywood
In Kagawa Prefecture on the northeast side of Shikoku Island in southern Japan, a long-established Japanese wood product manufacturing company is drawing on its experience as it moves forward with a new phase of growth.
Established in 1942 in Takamatsu City as Kagawa Plywood Industry Co Ltd, the business started with the aim of selling plywood.
Originally, its wood products became very important for the post-war reconstruction efforts in Japan. A lot of sawmills, logging operations and wood product manufacturing enterprises grew up around this time.
TTJ | Summer 2026 |
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In 1955, looking toward long-term growth, the newly named Nankai Plywood was formed with a mission to grow. Since then, it has been developing, manufacturing, and marketing plywood and other products that contribute to creating comfortable and enriching living environments.
Nankai’s link with its origins remain – its global head office is still based in Takamatsu City. An R&D centre and a warehouse/ distribution operation are also based in Takamatsu.
But growth and diversification have been features of the company’s development in recent decades. In response to changing
times, the company expanded into a wider range of products and has not manufactured plywood in Japan for many years. Its Shido factory is in Sanuki, producing a variety of wood-based lightweight storage and shelving solutions for the Japanese market, mainly aimed at housing interiors. The Nagao Logistics Centre is also in Sanuki. Toru Maruyama, the current president & representative director, is the third generation of the company’s Maruyama family owners. Mr Maruyama has driven an increasingly global focus, writing a new chapter in Nankai’s history, with Europe and America among key target markets.
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