Press release: May 20, 2025
WILLTEX and Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa Company Limited signed a strategic partnership agreement aiming to jointly develop products contributing to SDGs, improving work environment, countering heat stroke, and preventing disasters
The combination of Shutoko Group advanced technologies and WILLTEX innovative technologies that won CES Best of Innovation Award will contribute to Japan BCP measures and help leading to a more resilient society WILLTEX (Head office: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Ayaka Ueda; hereinafter referred to as "WILLTEX") and Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa Company Limited (Head Office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Tomoaki Okada; hereinafter "Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa") have signed a business agreement and a nondisclosure agreement.
The two companies will combine advanced technologies Shutoko Group has developed over the years with the innovative technologies of WILLTEX, which has built a global reputation, to 1) jointly develop products contributing to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), improving the working environment, countering heat stroke, and preventing disasters, and 2) build and strengthen their marketing teams.
The move is aimed at reinforcing to BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measures in Japan.
(From left to right) Ayaka Ueda, CEO of WILLTEX, Tomoaki Okada, Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa, CEO
1. Background and purpose of strategic partnership
Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa has accumulated advanced infrastructure maintenance technology and on-site knowledge through the maintenance and management of the metropolitan expressway. WILLTEX, on the other hand, is a company whose two founders, both of whom came from the textile industry, are committed to developing innovative products.
This alliance aims to contribute to solving various issues the society is facing by combining the strengths of both companies. In particular, the two aim to create new value that will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, in addition to the urgent issues of countermeasures against heat stroke and improvement of the working environment, as well as preparation for natural disasters.
2. Major initiatives
Joint development of products aimed to improve the working environment, counter heat stroke, prevent disasters, and protect from the cold Due to the increasingly serious effects of global warming, rising summer temperatures have increased the risk of heat stroke in the workplace. According to a report by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of deaths and injuries due to heat stroke in the workplace is expected to reach 1,135 by 2024, underlining the importance of establishing countermeasures an urgent issue.
In addition, natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons occur frequently, and ensuring employee safety and business continuity has become an important management issue for many companies.
Given such environment, the two companies will join force to develop products to ensure the safety and security of workers against heat stroke and unexpected natural disasters, and to create a more comfortable working environment.
In particular, companies will be required to implement specific heat stroke prevention measures for work under certain conditions from June 1, 2025. Failure to comply with this obligation could be subject to penalties. In addition to protecting the health and safety of employees, it is essential for corporate management to take appropriate heat stroke countermeasures from a risk management perspective.
Therefore, the two companies are committed to developing new products to combat heat stroke by leveraging their product development capabilities, placing a proprietary low-temperature refrigerant "Ice Energy" at the core.
Build and strengthen joint marketing teams
In order to quickly and effectively market the developed products, the two companies will establish a joint sales structure and work closely together.
Contribute to Japan BCP measures
Through the procurement of jointly developed products, the two companies aim to support the formulation and implementation of business continuity plans for companies and local governments and contribute to a more resilient society against disaster.
3. Corporate philosophy and technologies of the two companies
Corporate philosophy of Shutoko Group
Stakeholders’ strength and "CO-CREATION" are essential to the creation of new value that Shutoko Group is seeking.
The company’s goal is not mere co-creation, but to create new value together with stakeholders, based on the keywords "3 NEW-3NEW" (Stakeholders, Field, and Region).
The company considers it can help solve the social issues and problems faced by infrastructure operators throughout Japan by utilizing our reliable know-how underpinned by its extensive track record of performance through our metropolitan maintenance technology and experience cultivated in the harsh environment unique to urban areas over the past 60 years.
As a member of the Shutoko Group, Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa Co. will continue to contribute to society in the regions where it is present.
WILLTEX Technology
Based on a licensing agreement for the world's first fabric heater "HOTOPIA" technology, WILLTEX develops products with innovative heat-generating technology that warms the entire fabric evenly at the core. Another strength of WILLTEX is its ability to plan products that combine design and functionality by leveraging its experience in the apparel industry.
Winning the Phase Free Award 2022 AUDIENCE Prize in the Idea category, and the "Innovation Award" and "Best - of - Innovation" in the Home Appliances category at CES 2024, the company has been highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally.
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Best - of - Innovation Award" and trophies
In addition, the proprietary low-temperature refrigerant "Ice Energy" is a revolutionary product that does not require conventional ultra low-temperature facilities (-30°C to -40°C) and can be easily used by anyone. Unlike dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide), it is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that can be used repeatedly and is carbon neutral.
Utilizing this "Ice Energy, WILLTEX is actively promoting the development of innovative products that contribute to the prevention of heat stroke, such as the "ICETRUST" ultra cool wear.
4. Scheduled participation in exhibitions
WILLTEX and Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa plan to jointly participate in the following exhibitions. At each exhibition, the jointly developed products will be available for actually trials at the exhibitions.
June 14, 2025: Let's do it! Yokohama Disaster Prevention Operation (Yokohama Citizens Disaster Prevention Center)"
July 16-19, 2025: Environmental Exhibition at Workplace (JIOSH+W) 2025"
5. Message from CEOs
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(From left to right) Ayaka Ueda, CEO of WILLTEX, Tomoaki Okada, Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa, CEO
Tomoaki Okada, Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa, CEO
Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa thoroughly pursues safety in "construction," "traffic," "quality," and "mind and body" based on the basic principle that "safety is the greatest value.
Our management policy is to become "Japan's No. 1 road maintenance company" by contributing to the safety and security of customers using the metropolitan expressway and the creation of a prosperous and comfortable society.It is essential that all employees and subcontractor workers are safe and sound in the course of their work.
Through the development of "Hotto TEX," a vest that keeps warm in winter using WILLTEX developed fibers generating heat, the company has collaborated with WILLTEX on various initiatives to create and ensure a more comfortable working environment.In recent years, weather-related disasters have become more and more apparent. It is also very important to be prepared for major earthquakes.
Even under such circumstances, the metropolitan expressway, the backbone infrastructure of the Tokyo metropolitan area, must ensure its function and be restored as soon as possible. To this end, the company will develop products that allow people engaged in on-site work to spend more time comfortably, assuming work in unusual environments.Ayaka Ueda, CEO, WILLTEX, CEO
We are very honored that WILLTEX temperature technology can contribute to the important social issues of BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measures, heat stroke countermeasures, and disaster prevention through the collaboration with Shutoko Maintenance Kanagawa.
In recent years, as abnormal weather has become a common occurrence and preparation for large-scale disasters has become an urgent issue for society as a whole, it is part of our aim to protect the health and safety of those who work on the front lines of infrastructure protection. WILLTEX has been developing products that can be used in all kinds of work environments.
We see this initiative as the first step in a partnership in which we will work together to "implement solutions to temperature issues," not merely providing products but also reflecting the voices of those on the frontlines of infrastructure maintenance. We will continue to provide technology and expertise to help realize a safe and sustainable society, while staying close to the real issues onsite.
About WILLTEX
Location: Yamashita Port Height 301, 73-2 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023
Representative: Ayaka Ueda, CEO
Business activities: Manufacture and marketing of textile products and electrical appliances
Establishment: July 10, 2018
Company website: https://www.willtex.com/ TEL/FAX: 045-777-7370 / 045-873-G7G1
Contact: https://www.willtex.com/contact/