Maruko (now Ueda City district) prospered as a sericulture zone from the Meiji era up to the end of the Taisho era. Mainly flourished by making machine-made yarn through the Yoda company. We have developed from a flower-shaped industry zone by exporting silk to the USA since the opening of the Maruko railway during the Taisho period (1911).
In the onset of the Showa era, the silk-making industry declined due to the influence of the Great Depression, and together with its decline, the silk factory disappeared by the end of the Pacific War.
On the other hand, while the silk-making industry declined, the evacuated factory as well as the machine industry that advanced during the war, served as the basis for industrial development. It greatly shifted the industrial structure of Maruko (present day Maruko Ueda City).
In such a transition economy, Wataya Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has developed and contributed to society mainly in the manufacture of general machinery and equipment (YD style boiler cocoon machine, reeling machine).

- Founder Zenzou Wataya -

Born in Kaga-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture on May 3, 1894 (Meiji Era), working hard at the Maizuru Navy Arsenal, he acquired intricate techniques.

He assumed office as manager of Maruko Kogyo Co., Ltd. on August 1924 (Taisho Era).

In 1935, he established Wataya Manufacturing. Maruko saw the birth of the machinery industry through the production of excellent precision machines.

On November 1946, he became the first president of the Maruko Chamber of Commerce and on April 1951, he was elected as a town council member as vice chairman of Maruko. Additionally, he was appointed as election management chairman of Maruko and contributed greatly to society.

Furthermore, over the past 53 years while establishing the association, he exerted efforts in training hundreds of engineers from low to high-skilled personnel.

In commemoration of his accomplishments and contributions, he was awarded recognition by the governor and a monument was built for him.

People who founded the cornerstone of industrialization (Ueda City, Maruko district)

People who built the foundation of industries in Maruko (six people awarded with recognition monument)

Kamesaburo Shimomura
(1867～1913)

He started the first instruments in the yarn making industry and founded the Yoda corporation in Maruko (Present day Ueda City, Maruko district). Worked hard to change Maruko and developed the industry. He laid out the foundation for the industrial city of Maruko.

Zensuke Kudo
(1873～1941)

He became president of the Yoda corporation after succeeding Kamesaburo Shimomura. He improved the quality of yarn and developed production that expanded the dominance of the company. He also advanced numerous public facilities including the opening of a railroad.

Kaneko Kinpei
(1854～1938)

He set up a yarn testing facility at Yoda that focused on the improvement of thread quality as well as technological innovation. Moreover, during the decline of the silk-making industry, he succeeded in inviting Kanegafuchi Spinning Co. Ltd., thus contributing to the industrial restoration of Maruko town.

Harazou Matsuyama
(1875～1963)

He invented a single-sided twin clad cloth which is the origin of Shuangyu. He registered 20 utility model patents under the name Suki Matsuyama that spread throughout the country. He played a central role in the agricultural machine industry.

Kaneko Gyotoku
(1878～1965)

He developed Shinano Silk Spinning Co., Ltd. that focused on capital intensive silk. Since then, he has maintained continuous surplus management and upon entering the electronic industry, he contributed vastly to the promotion of the regional industry.

Zenzou Wataya
(1894～1969)

He founded Wataya Plant. While teaching technical guidance himself, he was able to train a large number of excellent technicians. He has encouraged self-independence and has produced 20 famous personalities as managers. He focused on training small to medium enterprises.