The Japan Graphics Arts Show, more well known as “JGAS,” takes place in Tokyo each October. As the exclusive North American importer of three Japanese product lines, Best Graphics makes an effort to visit our Japanese partners every few years.

Spanning four cities in six days, Dan Brahm, President of Best Graphics, and I were fortunate enough to visit the production facilities of our partners, and attend JGAS.

Itoh, our line of Guillotine Cutters are located on the outskirts of Nagoya. Most famously known for its Toyota production plant, Nagoya is Japan’s 3rd largest city. Itoh’s headquarter’s include a beautiful 5-story office, in addition to a bustling factory. Global demand for Itoh Cutters warrants production capabilities exceeding 25 Cutters a month. Its no wonder Itoh is the country’s leading Cutter in the market place.

With almost 20,000 placements worldwide, this Double-Arm Pull Cutter, is the oldest known manufacturer of Guillotines in the world! In 1919 Itoh designed, and distributed, its first Double-Arm Cutter. One of the original models is on display in Itoh’s lobby, and shown below:

Similarly, each successive model thereafter has been photographed and framed, neatly hanging on display for all to see. As a 5th generation, family owned company, Itoh’s story is just as remarkable as their impeccably designed machines.

Size formats range from 39″ to 98″ and are manufactured, assembled and painted all on site:

After leaving Nagoya, Best Graphics headed northward to Saitama Prefecture, a small provence outside of Tokyo, and home to our Osako Saddle Stitchers and Kudo Joggers. We enjoyed a lovely traditional Japanese meal at Minato, a small family owned restaurant that intimately seats a maximum of 16 to 18 customers.

The following morning took us to JGAS, where we were to view our vendor partner’s booths, meet some of their prospective clients, and demonstrate newly unveiled equipment.

Osako released their small footprint, economical 3-Knife Trimmer. For more information regarding our line of Osako Saddle Stitchers, visit our weblistings, here. Or, take a moment to review Osako’s website, here!

Pictured next to the new Trimmer are (L to R) Bazza san, Myself, Dan, Takaai san, and Teruaki san.

We wish all of our partners – Itoh, Osako, and Kudo – great success, and hope the momentum of a fantastic JGAS converts into new machine placements by years end!

Until next time,

A.J. Brahm, Self-appointed Chief Social Media Officer