Japanese safety products business Car-Boy Co., Ltd. has enjoyed worldwide success through pioneering innovation that reaches from domestic coffee tables to the very heights of space. Based in Togane City, Chiba, Car-Boy is renowned for original thinking and quality goods in the safety and disaster prevention sectors.
Stocked at 95% of Japanese DIY stores, and with overseas interests extending to nations such as Romania and Taiwan, the firm enjoys a wide-ranging and diverse output. In Japan, Car-Boy is well known for child-proofing equipment, such as coffee table corner guards, and bug-catching tools and protective sheeting. Its industrial and public safety products include innovative road cones, anti-slip magnet sheets and chain stands with built-in
railings.
According to President Kazuo Mawarimoto, disaster prevention, especially in turbulent times related to climate and seismic concerns, is a huge driver of the firm’s sales and innovation. “We are certainly feeling the impact of safety awareness and disaster prevention. Overall, this is a great opportunity for our products to serve many users. We are proud to be playing a small part in supporting Japan’s efforts to stay safe and resilient in the face of natural disasters,” said Mawarimoto. These efforts are a perfect example of the Car-Boy team’s innovation and problem-solving strengths. One unique innovation is a traffic cone with circular cutouts on its sides—making it less likely to topple in strong wind or be washed away by water—with the holes allowing for easy visibility of suspicious objects, making it ideal for security purposes.
Keeping track of what works well and what fails to resonate with customers is a key mission for the company. “We spotlight our low performers and promote them by analyzing the products and the market, assessing competitors and adjusting price, design, and other factors to accommodate consumer needs,” said Mawarimoto. In terms of consumer sales, DIY stores are a huge source of sales for the firm, while its business clients include logistics, engineering and automotive brands such as Yusen, Mitsui and Toyota. “Nationwide, 95% of all DIY shops sell our products. Our products are used in the production of space shuttles and commercial airplanes. Our sales are divided between industrial and DIY, with approximately 50% on either side,” said Mawarimoto.
For future growth, Car-Boy is focusing not only on the automotive, maritime and aerospace industries, but also on new markets where its products can make an impact. This included establishing a base in Romania, from where it hopes to support people in surrounding regions after the Ukraine conflict.
“We have gone from seeking out customers to becoming the desired and preferred company for safety products. Our policy focuses on developing markets rather than mature ones, and over the last ten years, our products have become more popular overseas,” said Mawarimoto.
