Work Wheels Explained

Work Co., Ltd.
Native Name:株式会社ワーク
Romanized Name:Kabushiki-gaisha Wāku
Type:Private
Foundation:March 8, 1977
Founder:Takeshi Tanaka
Location:Osaka, Japan
Industry:Motorsport
Products:Alloy wheels
Revenue:¥JPY 95,000,000 (June 2014)
Num Employees:160 (June 2014)

Work Co., Ltd. is a Japanese high-end wheel manufacturer for both motorsport and street use. They manufacture the "Work Equip" and "Work Meister" range of wheels.[1]

Work Wheels released their first range of wheels in 1977[2] under the name "Work Equip", which continue to be manufactured today under popular demand. Commonly regarded as the leading manufacturer of Single, Two and Three piece forged wheels for automotive use, Work Wheels adopt a "on demand system" in order to produce products under direct request of their customers and corporate customers.[3] Current major corporate customers include Dunlop, Falken, Toyo Tires, Toyota Modellista International Co, FUJI Corporation, Bridgestone, and Ralliart.[2]

Work Wheels is a long-standing member of both the Japan Light-Alloy Wheel Association (JAWA) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).[2]

The company's founder, Takeshi Tanaka, died in 2015.

Current lines

Discontinued lines

History

Work Wheels timeline:[6]

YearEvent
1977President Takeshi Tanaka started WORK Co,. LtdCompany capital JPY 4,000,000
1979Established 3 piece wheel assembly plant.Increased Company capital to JPY 10,000,000.
1980Built current 4-story head office. Relocated and expanded factory.
1981Established paint facility.
1982Established delivery center next to assembly plant.Increased company capital to JPY 18,000,000-
1983Established Racing Sec. factory.Opened branch in Fukuoka, Japan.Opened branch in Kanagawa, Japan.
1984Opened branches in Sendai, Japan and Hiroshima, Japan.
1986Established assembly and delivery factory in Shiki, Japan.
1987Opened automotive division dedicated to selling imported vehicles.
1988Established painting line.Established rim manufacturing factory in Okayama, Japan.
1989Opened branch in Nagoya, Japan.Expanded factory in Okayama, Japan.
1990Opened AMP as the Planning and Development Sec.
1991Established delivery / storage center in Okayama, Japan.
1992Established casting factory in Okayama, Japan.Opened branch in Takamatsu, Japan.
1993Opened branch in Niigata, Japan.Opened branch in Omiya, Japan.Opened branch in Sapporo, Japan.Opened branch in Kanazana, Japan.
1998Established photo studio.
1999Established prototype trial line.
2000Increased company capital to JPY 18,950,000-.Established factory in Sakai, Japan for rim manufacturing,assembly and delivery
2001Increased company capital to JPY 95,000,000
2002Increased company capital to JPY 137,025,000
2003Acquired the certificate of Quality Management System ISO 9001

Notable products

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acoba . Paulo . Takeshi Tanaka Founder And President Of Work Wheels Passes Away . Art of Gears . 3 February 2021 . 20 August 2015.
  2. http://www.work-wheels.net/about/infomation.html WORK Wheels - Company Information
  3. http://www.work-wheels.net/about/manufacturing.html WORK Wheels - Manufacturing
  4. Web site: PRODUCT|WORK COMPANY LIMITED . 2022-11-22 . WORK COMPANY LIMITED . ja.
  5. Web site: PRODUCTION END|WORK COMPANY LIMITED . 2022-11-23 . WORK COMPANY LIMITED . ja.
  6. http://www.work-wheels.net/about/history.html WORK Wheels - History