Kanebo's Oshima Branch Office established, production scale expanded.

Kanegafuchi Spinning Co., Ltd. was established in 1889 (Meiji 22). (Hereafter referred to as "Kanebo")

In 1900 (Meiji 33), Kanebo absorbed Awaji Spinning and expanded into Awaji Island, establishing the Kanebo Sumoto store.

In 1907 (Meiji 40), a movement arose to build a new factory in conjunction with the diversion of the Sumoto River, and in 1909 (Meiji 42), the second factory began operations.

Subsequently, a third, fourth, and fifth factory, a communal dormitory, and a girls' school were built one after another, and by 1937, the production scale of spinning machines exceeded 120,000 units.

Labor shortage during wartime, munitions factories that made military uniforms

During wartime, the factory faced labor and metal shortages, forcing the first factory to suspend operations. The second through fourth factories also had to shut down operations for numerous production machines.

Subsequently, it became difficult to replenish the supply of raw cotton, and production was limited to military products only. In 1943, it became a labor adjustment factory designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare, and as a factory used by the Naval Vehicle and Munitions Bureau, it produced military uniforms.

With the end of the war in August 1945, factories related to military supplies ceased operations. Most of the factories and businesses located overseas were lost. Afterward, they switched to producing coarse cloth for civilian use, utilizing their remaining raw cotton.

Sumoto factory restored, becoming the largest spinning mill under Kanebo's umbrella.

Designated as a materials production factory (textiles) by Hyogo Prefecture ordinance, the company changed its name to Sumoto Factory, Kanegafuchi Spinning Co., Ltd.

In November 1948, a restoration ceremony was held for the Sumoto factory, and in 1950, it became the largest spinning mill under the Kanegafuchi Spinning Company umbrella. Subsequently, the factory underwent modernization.

In 1977 (Showa 52), the cotton business was separated from Kanebo Co., Ltd., and Kanebo Cotton Yarn Co., Ltd. was established. The company name was changed to Kanebo Cotton Yarn Co., Ltd. Sumoto Plant.

Cotton yarn factory downsizing and transition to electronics division

Due to the effects of the oil crisis and other factors, its scale gradually shrank.

In 1978 (Showa 53), a portion of the Kanebo Sumoto factory was sold, and subsequently, the cotton yarn factory underwent a process of downsizing.

In May 1985 (Showa 60), Kanebo Electronics Co., Ltd. was established through a merger with Mitsubishi Electric.

In April 1987 (Showa 62), the factory ceased operations as a spinning mill and transitioned to the electronics division.

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kanebo's expansion into Sumoto, we move on to the next stage.

In 1995 (Heisei 7), the site of the demolished Kanebo Shioya company housing was sold as part of the public facilities attraction zone, one of the seven zones included in the new city center development plan. In November of the same year, Museum Park Alphavia opened. (Alphavia closed in 2000).

In November 1996 (Heisei 8), Awaji Gochisoukan Mikuni opened.

In 1998 (Heisei 10), production volume decreased significantly. The former cotton spinning factory was demolished as part of the new urban zone plan.

In January 2000, Kanebo celebrated its 100th anniversary of establishing a presence in Sumoto, and then completely withdrew in 2007. It was registered on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "List of Modern Industrial Heritage."