Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd.

Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of soldering irons, soldering tips, and related soldering equipment, headquartered in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. The company traces its origins to March 1966 (Showa 41), when it began manufacturing and selling nichrome soldering irons in Mito under the BONKOTE trademark with just two employees. In March 1977 (Showa 52), it was incorporated as Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd. with Yukio Aoki as representative director. The company is privately held with capital of 10 million yen and a September fiscal year-end. Bonkote's product range includes soldering irons, iron tips, peripheral devices, the BONPEN flux applicator pen, SMT-related equipment, and custom-made special products. The company has introduced several industry firsts: in 1979 it developed and sold a ceramic heater soldering iron ahead of the world; in 1985 it launched the Super Sensor 100, the world's first temperature-controlled soldering iron with a built-in grip sensor; in 1987 it developed the BONPEN flux pen brush for surface mounting, exported worldwide; and in 1990 it proposed the LA (Load Application temperature control) method, obtaining international patents in Japan, the US, the UK, Spain, and South Korea. In 1999 it developed the QSS-2000, the world's first PC-based centralized soldering iron temperature management system. Later products include the lead-free Eco-Q series (2004), the lead-free "Kiwami" iron (2009), the DSS series (2016), and the BON-8103 ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine (2016). The company's stated mission is to pursue the de facto standardization of soldering irons as global standard products, emphasizing market-driven technological development, quality improvement, and cost reduction. It holds ISO 9001 (since 2004) and ISO 14001 (since 2009) certifications, and in 2009 was selected as one of the 300 "Vibrant Monozukuri Small and Medium Enterprises." Its main bank relationships include Joyo Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, and Higashi-Nippon Bank. Masamichi Kimura became representative director in January 2017. The company sells through distributors and an online shop, and continues to offer custom tip manufacturing for diverse applications.

Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd. began in March 1966 (Showa 41) when it started manufacturing and selling nichrome soldering irons in Mito City under the BONKOTE trademark, with only two employees. In March 1977 (Showa 52), the company was incorporated as Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd., with Yukio Aoki as representative director. In September 1979, it developed and began selling a ceramic heater soldering iron ahead of the rest of the world. In 1985, it developed and sold the Super Sensor 100, the world's first temperature-controlled soldering iron with a built-in grip sensor (patented). In May 1986, it developed and sold an automatic temperature-controlled soldering iron using a ceramic heater sensor. In 1987, it developed the BONPEN flux application pen brush for surface mounting, which was exported worldwide (patented). In 1988, it developed the world's first soldering iron temperature, leakage current, and earth resistance measuring instrument. In 1990, it proposed the world's first LA temperature management method and developed LA-method products based on it, obtaining international patents in Japan, the US, the UK, Spain, and South Korea. Products included the Patriot (M6) digital soldering iron, the Look (M16) LCD digital soldering iron, and the V Solder Machine (BON-6002). In January 1999, it developed the world's first PC-based centralized soldering iron temperature management system (QSS-2000). In 2000, it developed the far-infrared preheater PHN series. In January 2002, it was certified as an excellent factory by Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. In 2003, it held lead-free hand soldering mounting technology seminars. In January 2004, it launched the lead-free Eco-Q series soldering iron. In February 2004, it obtained ISO 9001 certification. In May 2006, it launched the ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine BON-7103, capable of handling diameters down to 0.3 mm. In January 2009, it launched the lead-free soldering iron "Kiwami." In April 2009, it obtained ISO 14001 certification and was selected as one of the 2009 "Vibrant Monozukuri Small and Medium Enterprises 300." In February 2016, it launched the lead-free soldering iron DSS series. In October 2016, it launched the ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine BON-8103. In January 2017, Masamichi Kimura became representative director. The company continues to operate from its headquarters and factory in Mito, Ibaraki, and offers custom soldering tip manufacturing.

• Started manufacturing and selling nichrome soldering irons in Mito City under the BONKOTE trademark with 2 employees.

• Incorporated as Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd. with Yukio Aoki as representative director.

• Developed and began selling ceramic heater soldering iron ahead of the world.

• Developed and sold Super Sensor 100, the world's first temperature-controlled soldering iron with built-in grip sensor (patented).

• Developed and sold automatic temperature-controlled soldering iron using ceramic heater sensor.

• Developed BONPEN flux application pen brush for surface mounting, exported worldwide (patented).

• Developed world's first soldering iron temperature, leakage current, and earth resistance measuring instrument.

• Proposed world's first LA temperature management method; developed LA-method products; obtained international patents in Japan, US, UK, Spain, South Korea.

• Developed world's first PC-based centralized soldering iron temperature management system (QSS-2000).

• Developed far-infrared preheater PHN series.

• Certified as excellent factory by Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

• Held lead-free hand soldering mounting technology seminars.

• Launched lead-free Eco-Q series soldering iron.

• Obtained ISO 9001 certification.

• Launched ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine BON-7103, capable of handling diameters down to 0.3 mm.

• Launched lead-free soldering iron "Kiwami".

• Obtained ISO 14001 certification; selected as one of 2009 "Vibrant Monozukuri Small and Medium Enterprises 300".

• Launched lead-free soldering iron DSS series.

• Launched ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine BON-8103.

• Masamichi Kimura became representative director.

Aiming to be the global de facto standard for soldering irons, with a focus on market-driven innovation, quality, and cost reduction.

• LA soldering iron

  Soldering iron with load application temperature control method, enabling accurate temperature management during soldering.

• Eco-Q series

  Lead-free soldering iron series launched in 2004.

• DSS series

  Lead-free soldering iron series launched in 2016.

• BONPEN

  Flux application pen brush for surface mounting, developed in 1987 and exported worldwide.

• BON-8103

  Ultra-fine wire solder V-groove processing machine, launched in 2016, compatible with diameters 0.3–0.8 mm.

• BON-8116/8216

  Solder V-groove processing machines for thick wire (Φ1.0–1.6 mm), with adjuster lever for easy diameter change.

• QSS-2000

  World's first PC-based centralized soldering iron temperature management system, developed in 1999.

• Super Sensor 100

  World's first temperature-controlled soldering iron with built-in grip sensor, developed in 1985.

1. 1はんだこてなら日本ボンコート｜はんだこて・ボンペン・コントローラー｜茨城県bonkote.co.jp
2. 2会社概要｜はんだこてなら日本ボンコート｜茨城県bonkote.co.jp
3. 3生産完了製品｜はんだこてなら日本ボンコート｜茨城県bonkote.co.jp
4. 4Japan Bonkote Co., Ltd. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org