Putty Application Speed Increases Up to 5x: Sales Begin for 'Columbia Flat Box Japan Edition' to Boost Productivity for Interior Finishers

Takara Toryo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishinari-ku, Osaka; President: Kazuma Ohno), a paint store aiming for a colorful society by expanding color options, will begin selling the 'Columbia Flat Box Japan Edition Starter Set' on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to improve construction efficiency and reduce the burden of skill acquisition at Japanese interior sites. This product is a model of a specialized putty application tool manufactured by the long-established Canadian manufacturer 'Columbia Taping Tools,' used by professionals worldwide, customized for the Japanese construction environment. Additionally, a hands-on workshop will be held at the Takara Toryo Osaka main store on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Background: Productivity and Skill Acquisition Challenges in Interior Finishing. Joint treatment for gypsum boards (putty application) is an essential process in interior construction, but traditional manual work with a spatula not only takes time and labor costs but also requires advanced skills and experience to ensure a stable finish. In contrast, using a flat box allows for the uniform application of a consistent amount of putty to gypsum board joints, grooves, and screw holes, achieving both improved work efficiency and a stable finish simultaneously. In Japan, its adoption is currently progressing, mainly among major house builders, and it is attracting attention as a construction efficiency tool. Takara Toryo has also focused on this tool, which can reduce on-site burdens, and has begun handling the 'Japan Edition' tailored to the Japanese construction environment. [Product Features] 1. Overcomes 'Unevenness.' Anyone Can Achieve a Beautiful 'Crowned' Finish. It can handle the 'unevenness (misalignment)' of gypsum boards, which was impossible with cheaper boxes. The Columbia product's advanced design makes it easy to apply a 'crowned' finish, thicker in the center and thinner at the edges (tapered edges). The edges are extremely clean, significantly reducing the sanding work after drying. 2. Lifelong Durability and Comprehensive After-Sales Support. The box, machined from high-quality aluminum, is rust-resistant and highly durable. Furthermore, genuine products sold at our store are engraved with a serial number. Consumable parts like screws and springs can be ordered individually. It is a professional-grade tool that can literally be 'used for a lifetime' with maintenance. 3. 'Japan Edition' Adapted to Japanese Construction Standards. This model is specially designed to be compatible with 'beveled boards' (gypsum boards with diagonally cut long edges), which are mainstream in the Japanese market. It is compatible with Japan's unique board standards, which are difficult to handle with overseas-spec flat boxes, and can be used as an immediate asset on-site. Comparison of Construction Efficiency with Conventional Methods. [Conventional Hand Application] Daily construction area (approx.): ~200 m². Work process: Basically 3 putty steps, sanding required. Finish: Density may be uneven. High-place work: Ladders or scaffolding needed for upper walls and ceilings. Skill acquisition: Requires long-term experience and training. [Flat Box Method] Daily construction area (approx.): ~1000 m². Work process: Basically 2 steps (bedding and finishing coats), saving sanding effort. Finish: Putty is embedded with the force of the entire arm, resulting in even density and stronger application than by hand. High-place work: Use of long handles reduces the need for ladders in high-place work. Skill acquisition: Basic operation can be learned in as little as 30 minutes of training. *For box-like structures (simple construction). Varies depending on the structure of the property and working hours. Main Target Audience: Drywall finishers who perform putty treatment on gypsum boards. Painters who paint over gypsum board substrates. Those who want to speed up putty application work. Those who want to reduce finish unevenness. Those who want to increase site productivity despite labor shortages. Those who want even less experienced craftsmen to produce a consistent finish. Hands-on Workshop Overview: A small-group workshop will be held for company representatives and craftsmen considering the introduction of the flat box, allowing them to experience it with actual equipment. The goal is to master basic operations in a 3-hour intensive course led by an instructor with extensive experience in flat box training. Date: June 16, 2026 (Tuesday). Time: Morning session 10:00-13:00 / Afternoon session 14:00-17:00 (separate sessions, 15 people capacity each). Venue: Takara Toryo Co., Ltd. Osaka Main Store (4-3-17 Minami-Tsumori, Nishinari-ku, Osaka 557-0063). Access: 13-minute walk from Kitakagaya Station, Exit 4, on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line. Participation fee: 33,000 yen (tax included). *Free participation with simultaneous purchase of the starter set (simultaneous purchase price: 379,320 yen, tax and shipping included). [Instructor Profile] Mr. Kakeru Amasara (President, AM Engineering Co., Ltd.). Works to promote the flat box method in Japan, holding over 60 workshops and exhibitions annually nationwide. Specializes in addressing on-site construction challenges and providing practical guidance, offering technical support to many interior finishers and construction firms. [Main Workshop Content] Experience the speed and finish difference of putty treatment. The entire process from putty viscosity adjustment to filling and finishing. Sliding application procedures for ceilings and walls (scaffolding-free). Explanation of how to handle common on-site troubles. Click here to apply. Product Overview: Product Name: Columbia Flat Box Japan Edition Starter Set. Price: 378,500 yen (tax included). Set Contents: ① Flat Box Japan Edition 5.5 inch ② Flat Box Japan Edition 10 inch ③ Predator Matrix Handle ④ Short Handle ⑤ Tool Box. Sales Locations: Takara Toryo Choshokuya (online shop): Flat Box product page. Takara Toryo stores (Osaka Main Store, Kyoto Takashimaya Store): Store information. About Takara Toryo: Takara Toryo is a long-established paint store in Osaka, founded in 1949. We cater to a wide range of needs from painting and construction contractors to DIY users, offering a diverse array of paints. Our strength lies in color matching technology, with precise color matching from Nippe numbers and Munsell values, and custom color creation. We are equipped to handle everything from small quantities to large-scale projects, delivering products promptly to customers nationwide. We will continue to contribute to the realization of a comfortable and colorful society through high-quality paints. Company Profile: Company Name: Takara Toryo Co., Ltd. Representative: President Kazuma Ohno. Headquarters: 4-3-17 Minami-Tsumori, Nishinari-ku, Osaka 557-0063. Established: 1970. Business: Paint color matching, paint sales. Capital: 10 million yen. Official HP: https://takaratoryo.com/ Contact: Takara Toryo Co., Ltd. PR, Attn: Nishino. Email: info@mixing-colors.jp. Phone: 06-6659-2321.