Overcoming the Threat of Bankruptcy, Winning an International Design Award, Expanding Overseas, and Heading Toward Its 60th Anniversary The President of Aluna, an aluminum picture frame manufacturer, appeared on FM NACK5 for four days

Aluna Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture; President and CEO: Takeshi Yukiyama) is pleased to announce that President and CEO Dai Yukiyama will appear as a guest on the segment “AXA Presents Smile Leader ~The Decision That Day, and the Smiles That Follow~” within the program “Smile SUMMIT” on FM NACK5(79.5 MHz) as part of the segment “AXA presents Smile Leader ~The Decisions of That Day, the Smiles That Follow~” within the program “Smile SUMMIT.”

This segment is a program series that introduces a company’s history and the current state of its industry through the experiences and decisions of corporate executives.

During this four-day broadcast, he will discuss the company’s recovery from a management crisis, the development of new markets through proprietary products, the creation of a work environment where employees can take pride in their work, and future growth strategies, including overseas expansion.

Miho Watanabe and President Yukiyama

■ A Fresh Start as a Manufacturing Company After a Management Crisis That Brought It to the Brink of Bankruptcy

Arna is a picture frame manufacturer founded in 1967. Headquartered in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, with a factory in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, the company manufactures and sells primarily aluminum picture frames.

When Yukiyama took over as the second-generation president, he was initially confronted with the reality of a crisis that threatened bankruptcy. Annual sales, which had been 1.15 billion yen, had fallen to less than 400 million yen by 2006, requiring urgent action.

To rebuild the company, he undertook measures such as reviewing unprofitable transactions and products, developing new client bases, and improving business terms, thereby working to turn the business around.

Since then, the company has promoted the creation of products that go beyond the boundaries of traditional picture frames, such as the development of specialized frames for displaying sports uniforms and the “ALUMIUM Series,” created in collaboration with external designers. The company has received numerous domestic and international design awards, including the Good Design Award, the iF Design Award, and the DFA Asia Design Award.

New building following the factory renovation

Group photo of display cases

■ 60th Anniversary and the Challenge to Become a 300-Year Company

Aluna, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2027, aims to become a “300-year company” that remains essential to society for generations to come.

Currently, the company is advancing new initiatives, including expanding sales channels to overseas markets such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, renovating the Kagoshima factory, and planning to host the “Aluna International Print Biennale” starting in 2028.

At the same time, we place great importance on employee job satisfaction and professional growth, and are dedicated to building an organization where employees can think independently and make proposals.

ALUMIUM Series Group Photo

■ 4-Day Broadcast Schedule

October 26 (Mon): What kind of company is Aluna?

October 27 (Tue): What kind of person is the president of Aluna Co., Ltd.?

October 28 (Wed): The Current State of the Industry

October 29 (Thu): Challenges and the Future

■Broadcast Overview

Station: FM NACK5 (79.5 MHz)

Program Name: Smile SUMMIT

Segment: AXA presents Smile Leader ~The Decision Made That Day, and the Smiles That Followed~

Guest: Takeshi Yukiyama, President and CEO, Arna Co., Ltd.

Host: Miho Watanabe (Former Member of Hinatazaka48)

Broadcast Dates and Times: October 26 (Mon) – 29 (Thu), 2026, approximately 10:40 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. each day

Smile Leader

■About Aluna Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1967. A picture frame manufacturer headquartered in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, with a manufacturing facility in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The company offers a wide range of products, centered on aluminum picture frames, ranging from frames for paintings, photographs, and posters to display cases for sports uniforms, balls, bats, and other collectibles.

The company is committed to developing products that balance design and functionality and has received design awards both in Japan and internationally.

Company Name: Aluna Co., Ltd.

Representative: Takeshi Yukiyama, President and CEO

Location: Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture

Founded: 1967

Official Website: https://aluna.co.jp/