Day 1: Grinders

The Osaka factory stands as the beating heart of Fuji Kouki, a crucial nexus where meticulously cast, lathed, welded, and painted components come together. As you enter, the vibrant energy is pulsing through the space. Workers in oil-stained clothes show refined movement, wasting not a moment. Even tools seem alive, ready on scratched work tables beside the loud lathe that ejects gleaming metal shavings.

A Springboard in Our History

Our first major success was a coffee grinder, not a roaster. FUJI ROYAL’s flagship R-440, developed in 1965 with its iconic burgundy housing, has become a beloved fixture on the counters of kissaten, traditional Japanese coffee shops. We have recently introduced a significant upgrade to its compact counterpart, MILCCO R-220. This upgrade utilizes a lost-wax casting method to produce more durable and precise milling parts, marking the first drastic revamp since the model’s original debut.

“Yes, now it’s all good for use again!” exclaims Takashi Suzuki, the factory’s vice manager in charge of the coffee grinder line, satisfied with a perfect fit of two new burrs for a 40-year-old grinder after several rounds of machining and testing. This appliance also brings to mind another rare, heavily customized mill he once restored. That was, as an elderly engineer recalls, produced in minimal quantities in the company’s early days.

“Some machines that need repairing are older than I am. I always strive to bring them back to life with the respect they deserve.“

Suzuki’s career began at a cafe briefly run by Fuji Kouki. Soon after, he joined the factory, lured by a casual offer that asserted that the work would be as easy as building a plastic toy model. Back in those days, assembly operations were small, held on the second floor of our current headquarters.

“I’ve been grateful—admittedly a bit surprised—that my co-workers pushed me to try a bunch of new things regardless of my lack of experience with drills, trucks, etc. It’s remarkable how much potential can be unlocked when there is no choice but to step outside a comfort zone!“

A Team of a Select Few

Today, Suzuki mentors a small, dedicated team of younger craftsmen who uphold our standards of consistency and excellence. The members are well-versed in the whole process, taking turns at each step of grinder production, which requires a high intensity of swiftness, precision, and teamwork. As for larger grinders, in contrast, one individual takes pride in independently assembling an entire machine to completion.

As he guides his team, he keenly assesses each worker’s level, demonstrates techniques for them to imitate, and offers feedback. However, he emphasizes that the factory value is a strong sense of thoughtful, intuitive collaboration on top of technical mastery.

Such kind of care isn’t easily taught, but hopefully, it comes through in the quality of our products.