A New Framework to Realize Woodworking Dreams Once Lost to 'Rejection': Four Companies in Aichi and Gifu Launch a New 3D Woodworking System

Artistry Co., Ltd., based in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture, will formally announce the "Artistry CNC Partnership" in June 2026, a collaborative body with fellow woodworking companies centered on 5-axis CNC machining technology. This partnership, formed with three specialized woodworking firms in Aichi and Gifu (Kanematsu Mokko, Asahi, and Komoriwoodworks), aims to create a system to realize complex 3DX woodworking projects that were previously lost to "rejection" due to the industry's structural problems.

Background: The "Rejection" Problem for Those Dreaming of Rich 3D Expressions with Domestic Wood

As the use of domestic and regional timber advances towards a decarbonized society, demand is growing from clients and designers for 3D expressions, with desires like "I want to create such a rich shape with wood." However, in reality, many of these dreams vanish unrealized.

Of the over 1,000 5-axis CNC machines in Japan, most are owned by mass-production manufacturers, limiting the number of companies that can handle custom 3D woodworking. Even among workshops capable of custom work, a state of not receiving or having to refuse projects has persisted for the following reasons.

There are three major structural causes:

1. Information Disconnect: Many workshops with 5-axis CNCs are buried within the construction interior industry's "unnamed subcontractor" structure, making them undiscoverable by clients, designers, and main contractors. 2. Skill Disconnect: Even if a machine is installed with subsidies, there are often no mentors, 3DCAD specialists, or sales staff to expand outwards, leaving companies unable to take on challenges. 3. Collaboration Disconnect: No mechanism existed to cooperate with other companies on large or complex projects that a single firm couldn't handle.

Artistry's Breakthrough: A "Get Found" Strategy and 15x Growth

Since 2019, when former 5-axis CNC operator Koki Onishi took charge of new business development, Artistry has actively promoted its strength: "We can realize complex shapes that other companies have rejected." By accumulating direct market demand, the company built a portfolio of credited projects and became discoverable by clients and designers. As of 2025, its order value has grown by over 15 times compared to 2019, earning nominations from industry giants like Takenaka Corporation, Taisei Corporation, Daiwa House Industry, Nomura Co., Ltd., Semba, and Hakuten, as well as being selected for government proposals.

In 2025, Artistry handled the complex woodwork for the JAPAN Marche bus stop at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai (designed by Daiwa House Industry). They realized a highly difficult form combining an asymmetrical structure with a Voronoi lattice pattern using domestic cedar, creating a milestone where a small, usually uncredited workshop could have its name displayed on the grand stage of an Expo. The company has also won over 10 Japan Wood Design Awards since 2021 for creating attractive applications of domestic wood, continually advancing the possibilities of woodworking.

The Loneliness of Staff Who Want to Grow but Can't

The initiative's creator, Koki Onishi, became the company's first 5-axis CNC operator in 2016. However, he struggled with days where he couldn't fully utilize the machine's capabilities for various reasons.

1. No 3D Inquiries: In 2016, the awareness that custom 3D expression in wood was possible was not yet widespread among design firms. Combined with the fact that skilled workshops were unknown, a mismatch occurred where those who wanted to request work couldn't find anyone to ask. 2. Inability to Learn: Even with a machine installed via subsidies, the operator in an SME is often a single junior or mid-level employee. Even if a project inquiry came, there were almost no seniors in-house to advise on quoting, 3DCAD drawings, or manufacturing. The company wasn't set up to accept challenges, so they didn't lead to orders. Even if there were pioneering companies in the industry, seeking technical advice was not feasible as they were likely to become bidding competitors. 3. Lack of Experience: Artisan companies often lack a dedicated sales staff to promote their skills. Without a salesperson who can explain what skills they have and what value they can create, the message doesn't get across. Without incoming projects, even talented technicians cannot hone their skills and gain experience.

At the time, troubled by this triple affliction, Onishi decided in 2019 to become the company's first 3D outbound salesperson, leveraging his operator experience while also training a junior operator. He solved these problems, accelerating the company's growth and the 3D expression market.

Confronting the Societal Issue of a Craftsman Shortage

When a company is unknown to the world, it is also invisible to the next generation of young people, not even making it onto their list of internship candidates, let alone potential employers. As demand for domestic timber use grows, the sustainability of artisan companies, the unsung heroes, is threatened by the industry structure.

Artistry, with its factory in Aichi Prefecture, mostly hired locally until its 3D achievements grew. However, as awareness of the company's name and initiatives spread, over 70% of its hires in the last four years have come from outside the prefecture, from Kanto to Kyushu.

Not Rivals, but More Allies to Excite the Industry!

While Koki Onishi had been tackling the "subcontractor problem," "lack of allies," and "hiring difficulties" since 2016, finding solutions along the way, he conceived the 5-axis CNC partnership idea in 2022.

He thought, "The struggles we experienced for years are likely being faced by our peers right now, or by those who are about to install a machine. If so, it's just an increase in time and personnel costs for them. As the number of clients and designers seeking 3D expression continues to grow, having all inquiries come only to Artistry is a negative for the industry due to over-concentration. To prevent this, the 'unsung heroes' side must continue to grow and take on challenges, otherwise, the realization of design ideas will be impossible, and it won't lead to the revitalization of the entire market. We may usually be competitors, but since we all chose this job because we love woodworking, by connecting as allies instead of rivals, we might be able to open up a future for our profession and for the use of timber."

From the beginning, approaching potential partners was not easy. There was internal skepticism—"Why teach our techniques to a rival?"—and it was difficult to create contact points between woodworking shops that had never connected. However, through steady efforts, a four-company alliance has now been formed.

What is the CNC Partnership: An Industry-First Attempt to Turn Rivals into Allies

The Artistry CNC Partnership currently consists of four companies in the Tokai region (10 operators, average age in their 30s). It is a collaborative body where multiple woodworking companies "bring together" their 5-axis CNC machining experience, skills, and projects. The operators share their skills through monthly regular meetings and a group chat.