Finnish top riders such as Janne Korpi and Markus Marin, as well as Japanese members such as Nanino Ando, who is currently growing rapidly, gathered. TEAM kissmark, and kissmark became a world-famous brand.Kissmark snowboards are now developed and manufactured in Japan.Isn't it amazing how many people don't know that?This time, I visited kissmark's board development site, and was able to see how boards loaded with original ideas such as SLOT and GROOVE are made.Let's take a look at the interesting production site.
kissmark product history
After the brand was born in 1997, the popularity of snowboards soared and the brand achieved rapid growth.From around 2003, we set up our own research and development facilities and started developing and prototyping snowboards in-house in Japan. . The kissmark board became known worldwide in the 2006 Turin Olympic halfpipe event, and since 2007 we have signed equipment contracts with Janne Korpi and other Finnish players who are mainly active in the halfpipe.From that time on, we started full-fledged in-house development and production for athletes.We began providing Finnish players with prototypes manufactured in our own factory, and based on that shape, we commercialized "TRINITY" in 2008. In 2010, SLOT and GROOVE systems were developed and commercialized.From this timing, the production base will be completely changed to a cooperating factory in Japan for commercialization (the production of products designed, developed, prototyped and evaluated by the company will be outsourced to a cooperating factory in Japan).Since then, we have introduced know-how from joint development with players and continue to evolve the board.
Q_What do you find difficult about quality control in manufacturing kissmark products?
Kissmark snowboards use a WOOD core as the core material (except for some models).The WOOD core is an important material that determines strength and performance. WOOD cores are procured from manufacturers in Europe that handle core materials for skis and snowboards.The main reason for the selection is that the quality control is solid, there is little distortion and deformation, and the quality as a core material that we require is delivered in a stable state.However, even if the quality of the material is good, if the subsequent processing accuracy is poor, the quality will be ruined.Currently, the Mitake Technical Center creates the base of the board, and then asks subcontract factories in Japan to manufacture it.Our cooperating factory owns dedicated equipment that processes these with high accuracy as required, and can process within the required tolerance.Core thickness is a major factor in snowboard strength and performance.Dimensional control is important to reproduce the flex of the designed snowboard.This is the key point of quality control.The next important process is the molding press process.The adhesive is evenly applied while the material is placed in the mold, and the product is produced in accordance with the mold by applying uniform pressure and heat-pressing. Maintaining a uniform state is where we pay particular attention in daily management.
Q_In the last few years, there are more camber shapes, and is it becoming more difficult to manufacture?
Snowboard camber is shaped during press molding.The press has a camber forming device that changes the height in centimeter increments, and you can adjust the camber shape by raising or lowering it.In order to create a satisfactory shape, we use the design data, repeat trial production many times, and devote our efforts not to compromise in the work of confirming the performance.
Q_kissmark products have unique shapes such as SLOT and GROOVE that other companies do not have..
We are inserting material for SLOT and GROOVE into the core material, but since it is necessary to process the core material with accurate dimensions, what kind of process order should be used in the prototype stage?I tested it many times based onIn order to prevent variations in mass production, we perform accurate processing in a somewhat troublesome process.This is where we have a hard time.
Q_kissmark's products are considered to be quite cost-effective compared to other companies' lineups. As a factory, is there anything you have devised to supply good products at low cost?
Costs consist of material costs, processing costs, profits, etc. For material costs, bulk orders and purchases are made so that import costs can be kept as low as possible. We are trying to increase the number.By placing bulk production orders in bulk, we give flexibility to factory operations, and by making improvements that require less manpower, we achieve low-cost operations.To be honest, this is an endless activity.Of course, at the same time, we do not miss the quality control of the process and the inspection of the product.We are also devising inspections and conducting improvement activities so that inspections can be performed quickly and accurately.
Q_What do you think are the other advantages of the kissmark brand?
Since the production factory is in Japan, it is great that the same Japanese people are working on development and production.There are a lot of things to keep in mind when communicating, such as detailed specifications and things to keep in mind when making a product, and it is difficult to communicate smoothly in a foreign country.In domestic production, it is possible to share the so-called commitment part.We can also share our goals and come up with ideas for revitalizing the winter market in Japan.At the same time, we need to look at the world, so we can't ignore the fact that we have contracts with Finnish players and coaches to develop boards that can be used in world-class competitions. think.
Q_In terms of manufacturing, what aspects of the kissmark brand would you like to evolve and improve in the future?
As a creator, I would like to create a board that can win at the World Cup and the Olympics, and that will be accepted all over the world.
In parallel with these activities, I think it is a challenge to create a board that is fun to ride for the Japanese market. The SLOT and GROOVE system is a structure developed with the theme of how to incorporate the necessary elements that general customers want in boards.In order to evolve these, I think it is important to hear from many customers, "What do you want from the board?"For that reason, I think that the factory should be able to do anything on the manufacturing side, so I think it is important to improve the production technology side.I also think that we have to improve Japan quality and low-cost operations more and more.
>answer Technical Center Mitake Product Development Department: Mr. Masaya Ishikawa Mr. Ishikawa has been involved in the evolution and quality control of kissmark products for many years.He says that he is happiest when customers say "It was fun" after trying the board at the test ride event.
kissmark This season's lineup (digital catalog) is here.
