[Golden Week Project] Children's Designs Become Socks: Eco-friendly Manufacturing Experience

Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and Branch Manager: Ryota Takahashi), the Japanese subsidiary of one of the largest sock manufacturing and sales companies in the United States, held an "Eco-friendly Sock Making Experience Event" at Aeon Mall Kurashiki from May 1st (Friday) to May 6th (Wednesday) in 2026, in collaboration with Aeon Co., Ltd. This project is an educational CSR activity that provides the joy of eco-friendly manufacturing and design through "eco-friendly sock making." This time, the event was exclusively for families who purchased randoseru (school bags), where they could design together and check their designs on smartphones. A master said that various "circles" were being drawn. On the day of the event, children who purchased randoseru during the held at each Aeon Mall were invited to experience making their own unique original socks. The venue was filled with a warm and smiling atmosphere throughout, with many participants including children entering first grade next year, as well as siblings and relatives. Families where children diligently drew their designs until the end, families where parents and even grandparents all contributed ideas to finish the designs, and families where mothers drew artistic pictures at their children's request, created a moment where the warm individuality unique to each family could be felt through each step of the design process. Children who participated commented, "It was fun" and "I'm looking forward to wearing the finished socks," and it was impressive to see families eagerly awaiting the finished products, which would be delivered in about three months. This event provided a memorable family experience during a time when anticipation for a new elementary school life is growing. ■ Event Outline ・Name: Eco-friendly Sock Making Experience ・Date: May 1st (Friday) - May 6th (Wednesday/Holiday), 2026 ・Time: 10:30-12:30 14:00-16:00 ・Participants: 10 groups each (randoseru purchasers only) ・Venue: Aeon Mall Kurashiki 1F Wakuwaku Court Side Space, 1 Mizue, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture ・Renfro Japan Official Website: https://www.renfrojapan.com/news-90/ ■ What is the "Eco-friendly Sock Making Experience"? The "Eco-friendly Sock Making Experience" is a CSR workshop for elementary school students and their guardians, held annually by our company since 2023. Participants learn about sock manufacturing methods and the environmental impact of the manufacturing process, as well as how our unique printing technology GINGA solves these challenges. Afterwards, they create designs with free ideas, and the completed designs are printed onto socks using GINGA, finishing as one-of-a-kind original socks. Through this experience, we aim to raise environmental awareness and convey the joy of manufacturing, while also promoting understanding of our sustainable initiatives and enhancing brand value. ■ What is the eco-friendly printing technology "GINGA"? Inkjet printing technology "GINGA" is a manufacturing method that eliminates the conventional yarn dyeing process by directly printing designs onto white socks. It reduces a large amount of water usage and dye wastewater associated with yarn dyeing, thereby reducing environmental impact. In addition, while knitted socks using dyed yarn require mass production due to the manufacturing process, GINGA can produce only the necessary quantity, such as a single pair, thereby suppressing waste loss. It is a next-generation sock manufacturing technology that achieves both high-definition expression through inkjet printing and sustainability. [About Renfro Japan Co., Ltd.] RENFRO CORPORATION, founded in 1921, is one of the largest sock manufacturing and sales companies in the United States. Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. is its Japanese subsidiary, established in October 2012. In the Japanese sock industry, which has many long-established companies, we uphold the corporate philosophy "We are Game changer / We change the world from our feet," aiming to be a company that constantly changes and challenges without being bound by existing rules or experience. [Company Profile] Company Name: Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. Headquarters Location: Tennoz First Tower 3F, 2-2-4 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Representative: Susan C. Beverd, Representative Director Corina A. Norris, Representative Director Ryota Takahashi, Representative Director and Branch Manager Established: October 2012 Capital: 50 million yen Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of socks and knitwear (Representative brands: HOTSOX, Hokaron Socks, etc.) Keywords: