CASE STUDY

• Oven
• Manju(Bun)

MEIGETSUDO CO., LTD.

Torimon was recognized by Guinness World Records for most sales of bean paste-filled confectionary in a calendar year.
Meigetsudo was founded in 1929 by Yuichiro Akimaru, who began by manufacturing and wholesaling individually wrapped rice crackers in Tenjin, Fukuoka. Five years later, he opened a retail store in Kawabata-machi. Following World War II, the company shifted its focus to premium confectionery products, specializing in manju steamed buns and castella sponge cakes.
The second-generation owner, Takuya Akimaru, later expanded the business into Western-style confectionery. During the 1960s, Meigetsudo gained popularity through live demonstrations and sales of freshly cut castella cakes at train station shopping areas. In the 1970s, the company further strengthened its production capabilities by expanding its factory in Hakata.
In the 1980s, Hakata Torimon was created under the concept of “Western-style Japanese confectionery from Hakata” and quickly became a beloved regional specialty.
In 2016, Nahakata Co., Ltd., a subsidiary established in Okinawa, developed new products such as “Beni Chura Man” and “Shikuwasa Man,” incorporating local ingredients including Okinawan brown sugar and purple sweet potato.
More recently, as labor shortages in the manufacturing industry have continued to intensify, Meigetsudo upgraded two of its four Hakata Torimon production lines into integrated automated lines in 2024. The newly introduced ovens increased production capacity by 1.5 times while significantly reducing overtime hours through improved productivity.
Looking ahead, the company is planning the construction of a new factory as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in three years’ time.

• Tunnel Oven