ClubHoUno Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 (edited) A question to Chris about Endo: Endo is very well known for the forgings of clubs for a LOT of OEM's in the world currently. They forge and finish heads for Tourstage/Bridgestone, Titleist, Callaway, Nike, Ben Hogan, Yamaha, Dunlop, Mizuno JPX and several others, that I don't know of. Now they have their own prestige line of clubs called Epon. But what about club head design and testing - how big is Endo's club test department and R&D department, compared to the other big names in the business - are we talking Tourstage, Taylor Made and Callaway size or smaller or maybe even larger than that ? You know I love Miura irons, but I can't see the R&D at Miura being that big compared to the likes of Taylor Made and Callaway. This is one of the only shortcomings with a small factory like Miura. How can they do thorough testing of their products before they release them, if they don't have a large test center where they do thorough tests before they launch their products ? Miura therefore makes pretty simple and classic club head design, which don't need a lot of testing - because of its simplicity. Endo however makes some very elegant classic head design, but also do highly advanced club head design. I know Endo is a big plant, that can not in any way be compared to the small Miura plant - especially the one in Thailand, but how much of it is the actual forgings and finishing plant compared to their R&D test center ? I know Roger Cleveland from Callaway made intensive testing with the folks at Endo, when he made the X-forged irons and the new X-tour wedge, but I often wonder how much R&D testing Callaway makes inside the Callaway teste center and how much is in reality done in the Endo test center ? I remember a thread, where you posted pics from your visit to the Endo/Epon plant - maybe you heard a thing or two about the size of their R&D test center and how much more than just forgings and finishes, Endo do ? This subject interests me quite a lot, Chris ! Thanks, Claus Edited October 2, 2007 by Claus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hey Claus, Its huge but I don't know the full spectrum of it. they have about 300-1000 employees in Japan and another 2000 in Thailand, in Thailand they have four factories, eagle, stork, stainless steel, and forgings. I think most of the R&D itself is done in Japan but don't quote me on that. On Auto Cad alone they have a building of 30 specialists, they also work in sync with many OEMS to help them improve their product lines or troubleshoot issues. They not only build golf clubs but all sorts of things from medical tools, to automotive high end forged parts so you could imagine how they can implement certain technologies from one industry into another. One of the most important aspects about Endo is that they use ISO9001, ISO 9000+ is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a Quality Management System can effectively be implemented. Its a rock solid program that ensure's the best quality possible. Endo also takes great care of disposing hazardous waste and chemicals and follows environmental standards for their respective area's, they also have guidelines to better care for their staff when compared to other factories in China, Bangladesh and other areas. Its a very well rounded and responsible company you can feel good buying products from. They are the undisputed #1 golf factory in the world, they can do anything the other factories can yet the other factories cant get close to what they are able to do. China has Dynamix ( forgings ) & Nelson ( Woods ) who are in their upper tier but they are known more for castings, lower prices, and recycled materials. For more information visit this website: Endo in English! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubHoUno Posted October 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hey Claus,Its huge but I don't know the full spectrum of it. they have about 300-1000 employees in Japan and another 2000 in Thailand, in Thailand they have four factories, eagle, stork, stainless steel, and forgings. I think most of the R&D itself is done in Japan but don't quote me on that. On Auto Cad alone they have a building of 30 specialists, they also work in sync with many OEMS to help them improve their product lines or troubleshoot issues. They not only build golf clubs but all sorts of things from medical tools, to automotive high end forged parts so you could imagine how they can implement certain technologies from one industry into another. One of the most important aspects about Endo is that they use ISO9001, ISO 9000+ is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a Quality Management System can effectively be implemented. Its a rock solid program that ensure's the best quality possible. Endo also takes great care of disposing hazardous waste and chemicals and follows environmental standards for their respective area's, they also have guidelines to better care for their staff when compared to other factories in China, Bangladesh and other areas. Its a very well rounded and responsible company you can feel good buying products from. They are the undisputed #1 golf factory in the world, they can do anything the other factories can yet the other factories cant get close to what they are able to do. China has Dynamix ( forgings ) & Nelson ( Woods ) who are in their upper tier but they are known more for castings, lower prices, and recycled materials. For more information visit this website: Endo in English! Thanks Chris, for your answer to me I followed the link you posted and have been reading on their website for last hour now....following link after link. Wish they made their Epon website in English too. I also emailed Endo's person in charge of the international tech service. In fact I emailed with him several times and he posted pretty long answers to me regarding the Epon products. Very profound answers. But I didn't ask him about their R&D, I was mainly interested in where they forged and finished their Epon products. I learned that some of the Japan Forged Epon heads are grinded in Thailand, and then shipped back to Japan to be finished. Endo must have a big test center with all the gear they make for a lot of the big names in the US and Japan. His name is Kiyonari Niimi. In fact he invited me to meet him at the golf exibition show in Germany in Münich on Sunday where Endo/Epon have a stand. He will be there. I might go down there, although it's a 5 hour trip from Denmark. I must admit I was surprised over how thorough and kind the answers from both Kiyonari Niimi and Yoko Ando, also from Endo, were. Niimi told me they will try to get into the Euro market through Itochu UK later this year. Thanks again for your answer, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I've only scratched the surface of the website, but from all accounts it sounds like a very impressive facility! Now if only they gave tours in Thailand... just kidding. On a serious note, Claus, its great to see that their staff were so responsive, it can take weeks to hear back from dedicated golf companies about golf equipment questions, so to get multiple responses from Endo on a range of topics, that says something about some of the people there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Niimi and Yoko are the best. The Epon USA website will be launched this month I hear! Its impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbenz Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Any reason why the new AF irons are not on their japanese site (http://epongolf.co.jp/products/)? Are these irons going to be their lineup for the international market only? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Any reason why the new AF irons are not on their japanese site (http://epongolf.co.jp/products/)? Are these irons going to be their lineup for the international market only? It is because it is not released yet in Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dknack Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I just looked at the english Endo site for the first time and saw that they're located in Tsubame City in Niigata prefecture. This December, I'm going with my girlfriend to visit her parents in Japan and they live in Niigata City in Niigata Prefecture. I looked on a map and the Epon plant is only about 25 miles away from their house!! I'll be there for 2 1/2 weeks so I'll definitely have time to go check out the plant. I'll try to contact the guys at Epon to see if I could get a tour of the facilities while I'm there. If I can, I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post a report. I can speak Japanese pretty well so I'll try to get a lot of info out of them! Has anyone else had the chance to go there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I just looked at the english Endo site for the first time and saw that they're located in Tsubame City in Niigata prefecture. This December, I'm going with my girlfriend to visit her parents in Japan and they live in Niigata City in Niigata Prefecture. I looked on a map and the Epon plant is only about 25 miles away from their house!! I'll be there for 2 1/2 weeks so I'll definitely have time to go check out the plant. I'll try to contact the guys at Epon to see if I could get a tour of the facilities while I'm there. If I can, I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post a report. I can speak Japanese pretty well so I'll try to get a lot of info out of them! Has anyone else had the chance to go there? Most of the stuff there is pretty secret. Even Chris has toured the Epon factory but was not allowed to post any of the pictures. If you can get in that would be awesome. Even their showroom is quite a site with all the history of epon (those pics are okay). Anyone who's interested can see chris's original post here: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.php?showtopic=23880 Here's a shot of the Endo plant in Japan as you know they have a few including in Thailand as well: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dknack Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 That's too bad, but hopefully I'll get to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubHoUno Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Most of the stuff there is pretty secret. Even Chris has toured the Epon factory but was not allowed to post any of the pictures. If you can get in that would be awesome. Even their showroom is quite a site with all the history of epon (those pics are okay). Anyone who's interested can see chris's original post here:http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.php?showtopic=23880 Here's a shot of the Endo plant in Japan as you know they have a few including in Thailand as well: Good stuff I can see why they have golf green and chipping area, but why a tennis court - unless they just are very nice to the coworkers at the plant. Does Endo also produce tennis rackets and tennis gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I wouldn't your hopes too high, not even top Tour Pro's are invited. Titleist and Bridgestone Japan staff as well have never seen the inside of this factory. The plant layout picture is a little outdated now I think it's building # 3 that has been transformed into the EPON HQ. Please remember this layout is of their smallest factory. The Stork & Eagle Factories are at least 4x this size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Yes this is indeed a shot of the smallest plant from Endo... Stork and Eagle plants as they call it, are where the big action and majority of the manufacturing takes place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I wouldn't your hopes too high, not even top Tour Pro's are invited. Titleist and Bridgestone Japan staff as well have never seen the inside of this factory.The plant layout picture is a little outdated now I think it's building # 3 that has been transformed into the EPON HQ. Please remember this layout is of their smallest factory. The Stork & Eagle Factories are at least 4x this size. that is impressive indeed. wjere is the stork and eagle plant located? is this the one in thailand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbenz Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 (edited) It is because it is not released yet in Japan. Hmm.. How is it that tourspecgolf has it available for sale if its not even released in their own country? Sorry if that's a stupid question, just wondering... Edited October 12, 2007 by genji_808 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Hmm.. How is it that tourspecgolf has it available for sale if its not even released in their own country? Sorry if that's a stupid question, just wondering... We provide a few services for some Japanese OEM's that unfortunatley I am not allowed to talk about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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