Suzuki Sock’s Sock Making -Manufacturing Suzuki Socks-
The essence of manufacturing has remained unchanged…
Suzuki Socks was established in Nara in 1958. We have continued to make history by manufacturing and selling mainly “rice bran fiber” products from Miyake-cho, Nara, the smallest town in Nara Prefecture, where socks are produced. We are delighted and grateful for the support of our many customers. Under the slogan “Good products for a long time”, we aim to create products that make our customers feel “excitement” and “a little happiness”.
Suzuki Socks does not have many state-of-the-art machines like other companies. Some of the older machines have been working hard for nearly half a century. There are also many skilled craftsmen, reliable staff working on developing new products, and staff who support us. Sometimes we modify old-fashioned machines, and with a lot of ingenuity, we are pursuing the creation of products and comfort that will impress our customers.
We will continue to work daily to deliver good products to our customers in the future.
Socks that have been carefully packaged and processed from product to product are inspected to ensure that they do not contain needles, in case they do. The processed socks are then passed through a needle-inspection machine to check for any abnormalities. The socks are delivered to the customer with safety and security.
Suzuki Sock’s Sock Making -Inspection and package processing-
After the inspection, the socks, which are still in a soggy condition, are taken to the finishing (setting) factory. In the setting process, the socks are placed on a metal molding plate and steam-applied in a setting machine to shape them.
After returning from the finishing factory, the socks are paired to form a pair of socks, which are then carefully processed into packages while being thoroughly inspected. The design of the obi and packaging is also filled with Suzuki Socks’ passion.
After knitting, the socks are turned inside out. Due to the characteristics of the circular knitting machine, the socks are hollow from the opening to the toe, and the hollow part of the opening is sewn together using a special Rosso sewing machine. At first glance, this may seem like a simple sewing operation, but in fact, it is an important part of the sock as the way the socks are sewn together can make a big difference to the finished seams. It is the skill of a skilled craftsman to sew each piece together smoothly with the flow of the sewing machine so that it does not look ragged. At this point, the familiar sock shape is finally completed.
The sock fabric is knitted face-up on a circular knitting machine. The socks are then turned inside out one by one by hand in preparation for sewing the toes together in the next process.
Many pairs of socks are knitted together in a cylindrical shape. After the socks are knitted into one long cylindrical shape, they are separated one by one and cut one by one with shears. Cutting the socks in a single pass is the skill of a craftsman who is well-versed in the characteristics of the material. ※In the case of machines that separate and knit one pair of socks at a time, there is no cutting process.
Although socks look the same at first glance, there are many different types of socks, and the knitting machine is selected according to its application. After that, the customer selects the appropriate yarn for the selected knitting machine and the number of yarns to be used. In the case of circular knitting machines, which are commonly used for socks, knitting is done in a cylindrical shape, starting from the crotch, then the heel, and ending at the toe. Suzuki Socks’ socks are knitted with 84 to 200 needles. In the changing seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter, everything is not left to the machines in a space where temperature and humidity are maintained but are carefully adjusted by craftsmen who are familiar with the characteristics of the machines to maintain the quality of our precious products.
After knitting, the socks are turned inside out. Due to the characteristics of the circular knitting machine, the socks are hollow from the opening to the toe, and the hollow part of the opening is sewn together using a special Rosso sewing machine. At first glance, this may seem like a simple sewing operation, but in fact, it is an important part of the sock as the way the socks are sewn together can make a big difference to the finished seams. It is the skill of a skilled craftsman to sew each piece together smoothly with the flow of the sewing machine so that it does not look ragged. At this point, the familiar sock shape is finally completed.