Founding of Iwata Seisakusho, the predecessor of our company: Brothers Iwata Hatsutaro and Iwata Sukezō, the founders, rented a corner of a factory in Toyozawa-cho, Shibuya-ku on May 1, 1926 (Taisho 15), and Iwata Seisakusho, the predecessor of our company, began as a small shop factory with only two used lathes installed.
Commencement of manufacturing and sales of the first domestic spray gun: The spray gun development began at the request of Mizusato Trading Co. After dozens of revisions, a few spray guns finally passed testing. About six months after the contract, funds were nearly exhausted, but it was truly the result of craftsmen's determination and resolve. The finished first domestic spray gun had a large head and a bulky grip, but it could perform flat and round spraying, and the paint atomization was sufficient.
Commenced manufacturing and sales of small compressors.
Entered the automatic painting equipment field.
In April 1957, there was an option to dissolve the partnership and transition to a corporation, but the tax payable upon settlement exceeded 100 million yen, making it impractical. Ultimately, a new corporation was established while the partnership remained. Thus, in April 1957, Iwata Painting Machinery Co., Ltd. was founded, fully inheriting the partnership's business.
Established Iwata Paint Machinery Co., Ltd. In 1955, the company recorded annual sales of 300 million yen and total assets exceeding 150 million yen. However, the company remained a limited partnership with capital less than 4.5 million yen, far from its actual management reality. Additionally, after a capital increase in 1955, it still lacked funds. While it was possible to dissolve the partnership and convert to a corporation, the tax burden from settlement exceeded 100 million yen, making it impractical. Ultimately, a new corporation was created, leaving the partnership intact. Thus, in April 1957, Iwata Paint Machinery Co., Ltd. was established, fully inheriting the partnership’s business.
Released the airless unit.
Made a full-fledged entry into the painting equipment field.
Obtained certification as a JIS-approved factory for small reciprocating air compressors.
Released the first domestic two-stage air-cooled medium-sized compressor: Development of the medium-sized compressor began around 1965. The medium-sized market was fiercely competitive with many leading manufacturers, so a development strategy based on thorough marketing, including overseas markets, was devised. The focus was on a wide range of output options, an air-cooled machine that was easy to maintain and compact, and a semi-automatic operating control system. This goal was achieved, and a prototype was completed by the end of 1967, with the product released in 1969.
Listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.
Released the electrostatic painting machine.
Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges.
Co-developed a painting robot with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and released an automotive booth.
Co-developed a painting robot with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: In partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, developed the first domestic painting robot "AR-62", launched in August 1975.
Entered the rotary compressor field.
Co-developed the world's first multi-jointed electric painting robot with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.: In partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, we developed the first domestic painting robot, the AR‑62, and launched it in August 1975. The AR‑62 is a hydraulically driven large painting robot that remarkably reproduces the wrist movements of skilled workers through software, earning high praise both domestically and abroad.
Co-developed the world's first multi-jointed electric painting robot with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Released adhesive applicators and hot melt applicators.
Implemented networked CAD systems in Yokohama, Akita, and Fukushima, and began full operation.
Released a large rotary compressor.
Released a medium-sized two-stage oil‑free compressor: launched the world’s first oil‑free scroll compressor. Development began around 1985, and after six challenging years we overcame difficult tasks such as searching for heat‑resistant materials, developing chip‑seal materials, and designing precise air‑cooled housings. In March 1991 we announced the world’s first oil‑free scroll compressors, ‘SLP‑22’ (2.2 kW) and ‘SLP‑37’ (3.7 kW).
Released the two-stage oil-free medium-sized compressor: Launched the world's first oil-free scroll compressor. Starting development around 1985, we tackled six years of challenges, exploring heat-resistant materials, developing chip seal materials, and designing precise air-cooled housings, overcoming each difficult task. In March 1991, we announced the world's first oil-free scroll compressors "SLP-22" (2.2 kW) and "SLP-37" (3.7 kW).
Released the world’s first oil‑free scroll vacuum pump and entered the vacuum pump market. The development project started in 1985, aiming to create the most demanded medium‑vacuum (100–10⁻¹ Pa; 1 Pa is one ten‑thousandth of atmospheric pressure) dry pump. After progressing research and development, a prototype was completed in 1990, and in 1991 we decided to enter the market.
Released the small compressor ‘COMG’ series.
Obtained ISO‑9001 certification. Established corporate identity and changed the company name to ‘Anest Iwata Co., Ltd.’ On October 1, 1996, on the occasion of our 70th anniversary, we renamed the company to ‘Anest Iwata Co., Ltd.’ ‘Anest’ stands for ‘Active & Newest Technology’ (now ‘Active with Newest Technology’), meaning a development company that always has vibrant energy and innovative technology. We also incorporated ‘Earnest’ and ‘Honest’ to clarify the inheritance of our founding principle of ‘Makoto no Kokoro’ (true heart). We infused strong will and enthusiasm for reform into the new company name and restarted.
Obtained ISO‑14001 certification.
Absorbed and merged with Anest Iwata Akita Co., Ltd., Anest Iwata Fukushima Co., Ltd., and Anest Iwata Kousan Co., Ltd.
The oil‑free booster compressor received an award for energy‑saving equipment.
Received environmental management office certification from Yokohama City. Established ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL CONSULTORIA TECNICA LTDA. (now ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL COMERCIAL LTDA.)
Received certification as an environmental management office from Yokohama City: Established ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL CONSULTORIA TECNICA LTDA. (now: ANEST IWATA DO BRASIL COMERCIAL LTDA.)
Established Anest Iwata Vacuum Service Co., Ltd. and Anest Iwata (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd.
Invested in ANEST IWATA AIR TECH s.r.l. and established ANEST IWATA South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Consolidated production of compressors and vacuum equipment from the Yokohama plant to the Fukushima plant.
Developed and sold proprietary closed‑loop and screw‑type medium‑sized compressors. Established ANEST IWATA Vietnam Co., Ltd. and ANEST IWATA Middle East FZE.
Anest Iwata Coating Service Co., Ltd. changed its name to Anest Iwata Coating Solutions Co., Ltd. Established PT. Anest Iwata Indonesia, Anest Iwata Babatz GmbH, Airzap Anest Iwata Industria e Comercio Ltda., and Anest Iwata Polska Sp. z o.o.
Anest Iwata Service Co., Ltd. changed its name to Anest Iwata Compressor Co., Ltd.
The oil‑free scroll compressor (F series) received an award for energy‑saving equipment.
Established ANEST IWATA SPARMAX Co., Ltd.
Entered a capital partnership with E.M.S. Concept SARL.
Absorbed and merged Anest Iwata Compressor Co., Ltd. and Anest Iwata Coating Solutions Co., Ltd.
ANEST IWATA Corporation announced a new corporate philosophy based on Mission, Vision, and Values to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The philosophy was internally unveiled on October 15, 2026, and publicly released on November 10, 2026. It outlines the company’s enduring mission, its vision for 2035, and guiding values to achieve these goals.
Anest Iwata Co., Ltd. established a new Mission, Vision, and Value (MVV) at the 100th anniversary of its founding and publicly released it on November 10, 2026. The new philosophy demonstrates a stance of co-creating and solving customers’ business challenges as a "Solution Maker," rather than merely being a manufacturer, in response to the changing challenges of the manufacturing industry.
Anest Iwata Corporation will temporarily suspend its website for system maintenance on October 4, 2026, from 10:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The timing may shift depending on the work's progress.
A special feature on Anest Iwata, broadcast on TV Kanagawa's Kuruma de Ikou!, is now available on YouTube. It covers the company's efforts in mobility and its present and future as it marks its 100th anniversary, organized around four themes about its business and automotive initiatives.
A special TV program will explore Anest Iwata's work in the mobility sector as the company marks its 100th anniversary. The program will introduce its present and future and discuss its initiatives through three “why” questions, with appearances by Goro Okazaki and Tomoko Fujishima.
Anest Iwata Corporation has added to its privacy policy due to a change in the telephone system. The added content includes the purpose of use of information such as email open information and browsing history. Information analysis for advertising purposes based on customer hobbies and preferences is also conducted.
An article about Anest Iwata's 'Spray Gun' was published on 'BODY SHOP REPORT WEB'. The article is related to athlete Hosozawa's challenge.
Anest Iwata Corporation announced in a news release on June 26, 2026, that detailed information is not provided. Past archives include awards, responses related to the coronavirus, and sustainability activities.
Anest Iwata Co., Ltd. has changed the phone number of its branch for service improvement. The new number varies for each branch. The fax number has not been changed.
Anest Iwata Corporation will have a summer holiday from August 9 to August 17, 2025, and will resume normal business from August 18.