Verified Nov 2026
Metal Fabrication
·
Shinagawa, Tokyo
·
Since 1905
Kobe Steel, Ltd. makes iron and steel, aluminum, copper, welding consumables, and titanium products, and it also builds construction equipment and industrial machinery. The company is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1905, and has between 10,000 and 50,000 employees. It is publicly listed under ticker 5406.T. Its products serve automotive, electric-vehicle, electronics, construction, renewable-energy, and industrial-equipment customers. In a recent development, Midrex was selected to supply a MIDREX Flex plant for U.S. Steel's direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works, announced June 16, 2026.
Kobe Steel Ltd at a glance
Revenue
15.3B
Employees
10,000-50,000
Founded
1905
Headquarters
Shinagawa, Tokyo
Ownership
Publicly traded (JPX: 5406.T)
Certifications
ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 · ISO/TS 16949 · Nadcap
Import activity
21
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Construction
Renewable Energy
Industrial Equipment
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
21
Named foreign suppliers
17
Top origins
Peru · Netherlands · Mexico · Chile
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Kobe Steel Ltd.
What this tells a buyer
Kobe Steel's most recent reported development is the June 16, 2026 announcement that Midrex will supply a MIDREX Flex plant for U.S. Steel's direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works, following an October 2026 report that MIDREX Flex was selected for Mesabi Metallics' DRI project in the U.S.
The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, and Nadcap certifications and lists casting, forging, machining, and mold production among its products.
The company operates in Materials, Machinery, and Electric Power segments and is publicly traded.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & strong
121 years in operation (founded 1905).
Publicly listed; no distress event on record.
Holds ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, Nadcap certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Kobe Steel, Ltd. makes iron and steel, aluminum, copper, welding consumables, and titanium products, and it also builds construction equipment and industrial machinery. The company is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1905, and has between 10,000 and 50,000 employees. It is publicly listed under ticker 5406.T. Its products serve automotive, electric-vehicle, electronics, construction, renewable-energy, and industrial-equipment customers. In a recent development, Midrex was selected to supply a MIDREX Flex plant for U.S. Steel's direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works, announced June 16, 2026.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1905 |
Headquarters | Shinagawa, Tokyo |
Employees | 10,000-50,000 |
Revenue | 15.3B |
Ownership | Publicly traded (JPX: 5406.T) |
Primary capability | Metal Fabrication |
Certifications | ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 · ISO/TS 16949 · Nadcap |
What Kobe Steel Ltd makes
The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, and Nadcap certifications and lists casting, forging, machining, and mold production among its products.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Casting, Forging, Aluminum, Steel, Emissions, Pump, Rubber, Casting And Forging, Machining, Mold (source: kobelco.co.jp).
Certifications
Kobe Steel Ltd is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
ISO 14001 — kobelco.co.jp
ISO 9001 — kobelco.co.jp
ISO/TS 16949 — kobelco.co.jp
Nadcap — kobelco.co.jp
Trade and customs footprint
Kobe Steel's most recent reported development is the June 16, 2026 announcement that Midrex will supply a MIDREX Flex plant for U.S. Steel's direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works, following an October 2026 report that MIDREX Flex was selected for Mesabi Metallics' DRI project in the U.S. US customs bill-of-lading records list 21 inbound shipments across 17 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Peru · Netherlands · Mexico · Chile.
Latest developments
2026-10-19 — MIDREX Flex™ Selected for Mesabi Metallics’ DRI Project in U.S. | KOBE STEEL, LTD. (kobelco.co.jp)
2026-10-19 — Press Releases (2026) | KOBE STEEL, LTD. (kobelco.co.jp)
2026-09-10 — Kobe Steel and Malta Inc. Enter into Capital and Business Alliance Agreement | KOBE STEEL, LTD. (kobelco.co.jp)
2026-07-31 — Kobe Steel to Enhance Sand Casting Production Capacity at Daian Works’ Aluminum Casting & Forging Plant | KOBE STEEL, LTD. (kobelco.co.jp)
2026-06-16 — Midrex to Supply MIDREX Flex® Plant for U.S. Steel’s First-of-its-Kind DRI Facility at Big River Steel Works® | KOBE STEEL, LTD. (kobelco.co.jp)
2026-05-13 — Japan’s Kobe Steel to make Kobelco Wire wholly owned ... (steelorbis.com)
Company details
The company operates in Materials, Machinery, and Electric Power segments and is publicly traded. Kobe Steel Ltd was founded in 1905, has an estimated 10,000-50,000 employees, and is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & strong": 121 years in operation (founded 1905). Publicly listed; no distress event on record. Holds ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, Nadcap certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Kobe Steel Ltd make?
Kobe Steel, Ltd. makes iron and steel, aluminum, copper, welding consumables, and titanium products, and it also builds construction equipment and industrial machinery. The company is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1905, and has between 10,000 and 50,000 employees. It is publicly listed under ticker 5406.T. Its products serve automotive, electric-vehicle, electronics, construction, renewable-energy, and industrial-equipment customers. In a recent development, Midrex was selected to supply a MIDREX Flex plant for U.S. Steel's direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works, announced June 16, 2026.
Where is Kobe Steel Ltd headquartered?
Kobe Steel Ltd is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo (12, Shinagawa, Tokyo, 141-0001).
When was Kobe Steel Ltd founded?
Kobe Steel Ltd was founded in 1905.
How big is Kobe Steel Ltd?
Kobe Steel Ltd has an estimated 10,000-50,000 employees, with revenue in the 15.3B range.
Is Kobe Steel Ltd publicly traded?
Publicly traded (JPX: 5406.T). Public financial figures are drawn from its filings.
What certifications does Kobe Steel Ltd hold?
Kobe Steel Ltd lists ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 · ISO/TS 16949 · Nadcap on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
Location & contact
Phone
+81 357-39-6000
Certification
ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 · ISO/TS 16949 · Nadcap
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