Goal of ¥1,000,000 Reached in 33 Hours! — A Local Factory's Brand Challenge Garners Empathy

The 7th project by Maruhachi Kasei Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture) on Makuake, the 'Glow-in-the-Dark Carabiner Large Size,' achieved its crowdfunding goal of 1 million yen in 33 hours with support from 351 backers! The challenge of a 50-year-old local factory launching its own brand, combined with a practical product that also serves for disaster preparedness, is gathering widespread empathy.

Reached 1 Million Yen in 33 Hours, Garnering Empathy from 351 Supporters for the Local Factory's Challenge

This project, which started at 11:55 on April 6, 2026, **achieved a total of 1 million yen in crowdfunding in 33 hours!**

Support poured in immediately after the launch, and crowdfunding continues to grow.

The response this time goes beyond simple product evaluation; **it is rooted in empathy for the 'challenge of the local factory itself.'**

'We Can't Survive by Just Manufacturing' — A Challenge Born from a Sense of Crisis

Founded in 1974, Maruhachi Kasei has primarily focused on contract manufacturing of automotive parts.

However, in recent years, the manufacturing industry has faced a harsh external environment, including: - Intensified price competition - Soaring raw material and labor costs - The major COVID-19 pandemic and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

Amidst this, the company's answer was a business transformation to **'From a local factory to a creative manufacturer.'**

Turning Technology into 'Value' — The Challenge of an In-House Brand

Transforming the technology they have cultivated from 'the power to make' to 'the power to create value.'

The carabiner utilizing glow-in-the-dark material was developed as a symbol of this transformation.