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Gosen (company)

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Gosen Co., Ltd.
Company typePublic
IndustrySporting equipment
Founded1951
HeadquartersOsaka, Japan
Key people
Sumiyuki, Kimura, President
ProductsStrings, Racquets, Shuttlecocks, Shoes, Apparel, Accessories
Number of employees
224 approx.
Websitewww.gosen.jp

Gosen Co., Ltd. (株式会社ゴーセン, Kabushiki-gaisha Gōsen) is a Japanese company that produces synthetic strings for the fishing, manufacturing and racquet sport industries (more specifically tennis, soft tennis and badminton).

Overview

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The company focuses on three main industries: fishing tackle, manufacturing and sporting goods.

Fishing tackle

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Gosen has been manufacturing fishing lines and hooks for more than 50 years.[1] While most of the range is designed for the Japanese domestic market, the range of products is starting to grow on the international market. More recently, international export only models such as the Mebarin PE, W Braided fishing and Casting 16 line. These lines have been known to be quite thin, whilst maintaining softness and smoothness. Gosen are still the only company to successfully produce a 16 strand braided line that is now recognized as the industry benchmark in diameter to strength ratings.

Manufacturing

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Gosen synthetic threads and strings have benefited multiple industries around the world. The threads are used in a number of applications such as: sewing apparel for major clothing manufacturers; seat belts, airbags and motor coils in vehicles; construction; surgical threads; ornament strings; and artificial hair.

Sporting goods

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Gosen specialises in tennis, soft tennis and badminton sporting goods. The brand has been in the industry for more than 60 years, and its products have been previously approved by the International Tennis Federation, the Indonesia Badminton Association and the Badminton World Federation.[2] Top players such as Rod Laver, Jim Courier, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert Lloyd, Conchita Martínez and Anna Kournikova have also previously used and promoted this brand.[2][3][4]

History

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  • 1951 Gosen Co., Ltd. was established and started manufacturing nylon synthetic thread.
  • 1960 Gosen develops "HY-Sheep".
  • 1968 Japan Tennis Association official recognises Gosen tennis strings. Japan Soft Tennis Federation officially recognises "HY-Sheep S".[2]
  • 1969 Gosen obtains patent on the manufacturing of badminton rackets with shafts made entirely from steel.[2][5] Release of lightweight racquet "Excellent".
  • 1973 Grand Slam tennis champion Rod Laver (Australia) signs agreement to promote Gosen.[6]
  • 1980 Gosen releases jointless carbon badminton racket.
  • 1981–1982 Top-tier tennis players Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert Lloyd sign international agreement to promote Gosen.[6]
  • 1985 Indonesia Badminton Association officially recognises Gosen strings.[6]
  • 1986 International Tennis Federation officially recognises Gosen strings.[7]
  • 1994 Conchita Martínez (Spain) signs agreement to promote Gosen tennis strings "Tecgut Pro" for wide-body tennis rackets.[3]
  • 1996 International Badminton Federation officially recognises Gosen badminton strings.[6]
  • 1998 Gosen develops "Gavun" shaft, and Roots racket, featuring two-kick points.
  • 1999 Gosen develops revolutionary biodegradable string "Biogut". Malaysian Badminton Association signs sponsorship agreement with Gosen.[8]
  • 2000 Anna Kournikova signs agreement to promote Gosen tennis strings and grips. Gosen releases AK series tennis strings co-developed with Kournikova.[2][9]
  • 2001 Gosen adopts super alloy "Aermet" in strings and racquets.
  • 2003 Gosen develops Roots series with patented mechanism WPP (Wave Power Performance).
  • 2005 Gosen adopts nanotechnology in strings – "Nanocubic"
  • 2007 Gosen develops R4X badminton string with Quattro-Fiber.
  • 2009 Gosen develops the FG tennis string – world's first flat-shaped string.[2]
  • 2010 Gosen signs partnership with Penang Badminton Association (PBA).[10]
  • 2011 Professional tennis player Peng Shuai (China) signs agreement to promote Gosen tennis strings.[11]
  • 2013 Gosen enters partnership with Southern Tasmania Badminton Association (STBA), Badminton Geelong Inc. (BGI), NSW Badminton Association (NSWBA) and ACT Badminton Association (ACTBA).;[12][13][14][15][16] Professional badminton player Hiroyuki Saeki (Japan) and Ryota Taohata (Japan) signs agreement to promote Gosen badminton racquets; Professional tennis player Kaichi Uchida (Japan) signs agreement to promote Gosen tennis strings
  • 2014 Gosen enters partnership with Brisbane Badminton Association (BBA); develops "G-Tone Series" strings which uses their "micro-fusion" manufacturing process around the string core.

Summary of racquet sport products

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Gosen strings

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Gosen was one of the world's first companies that had its strings approved by the International Badminton Federation (now known as Badminton World Federation), and the International Tennis Federation.[2] Gosen was also the first to manufacture synthetic strings and has a longstanding history in string manufacturing and the introduction of stringing techniques. All Gosen strings are made in Japan. Some have patented designs.[5]

Badminton

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  • G-Tone Series – a new string with revised manufacturing process (e.g. G-Tone 5, G-Tone 9)
  • Multilade Series (patented string design) — Uses patented quattro-fiber wrap design.[5] Models in this series are more commonly known by the prefix "R4X" (e.g. R4X 110, R4X Momone).
  • CT-Sheep Series — Uses special resin coating. Models in this series are more commonly known by the prefix "Pro" (e.g. Pro 66 and Pro 77).
  • Nanocubic Series (patent application in progress)[5] — Uses special nano-coating that combines a multifilament core with monofilament wraps. Models include: Nanomicro.

Tennis and soft tennis

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  • Polylon Series — Special blended polyester strings.
  • Umishima Series — Designed using a patented string construction.
  • FG Series (patent application in progress) — The world's first flat-shaped string.[2]
  • Tecgut Series (patented string design)[5]
  • OG-Sheep Series — the series with models containing the prefix of "Micro" (such as Micro Super 16, Micro 16).[17]

Gosen also manufactures an additional 24 tennis strings, and 21 soft tennis strings, which are only available domestically in Japan.[18] Gosen manufactures 2 additional series:

  • Gosen-X (Hybrid) Series
  • HY-Sheep Series

Gosen racquets

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Gosen was one of the world's first companies to make jointless carbon rackets.[citation needed] The company uses "High Modulus Graphite" in their entry and middle-level racket ranges and use M30 and M40 carbon material for their higher-end rackets.

Badminton

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  • Ryoga Series – shafts co-developed by Seiko Rod, Toray and Gosen. It consists of the Ougi, Shiden, Tenbu and Issen.[19][20]
  • Gungnir Series – first series to be manufactured in Taiwan with 80 grommet design
  • Customedge Series – designed to allow a weight to be added onto the edge of the frame
  • Roots Series – contains a patented shaft
  • Trivista Series
  • Mira and Miracle Light Series
  • Grapower Series
  • Legendary Series
  • Training Series

Tennis and soft tennis

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Gosen manufactures a range of tennis and soft tennis rackets which are only available in Japan. It includes the following series:

  • Evolve Series
  • Trivista Series
  • Hishun Series
  • Axthies Series
  • Miracle Light Series

Gosen grips

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Gosen produces replacement grips and over-grips that are made in Taiwan and Japan. All "AC" series are Made in Japan.

Gosen shuttlecocks

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Gosen produces two types of shuttlecocks: feather and nylon.[21]

Feather shuttlecocks

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All Gosen feather shuttlecocks are Made in China. Examples include:
Goose Feather:

  • Gosen GF1 and GF10 – Certified by the Japan Badminton Association (now known as the Nippon Badminton Association).[22][23]

Duck Feather:

  • Gosen GF70

Nylon shuttlecocks

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Gosen produces nylon shuttlecocks are Made in Taiwan. An example is:

Gosen Haribito Project

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In Japan, the term Haribito relates to a person who is a doctor of strings. A certified Haribito member is a stringing specialist, who has in-depth knowledge about strings, qualified Haribito skills and is able to provide advice to help players in finding a suitable string and tension that matches their skills and abilities.[25] Gosen's own Gosen Stringing Pattern has been in use for decades in both tennis and badminton, and endorsed by professional coaches, players and managers worldwide. There are also several major international tournaments which use the Gosen Stringing Pattern, including: Rakuten Japan Open, Fed Cup (Japan / Korea Team), Davis Cup (Japan Team), and Malaysia Opens.[26] The Gosen Stringing Pattern is regularly reviewed and improved upon, based on current rackets in the market and feedback from its users. Gosen holds regular seminars to share the latest information and Haribito techniques with all participants.

Advisory staff

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The following players are the advisory staff for Gosen:[27]

Current advisory staff

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Tennis

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  • Japan Kaichi Uchida – Polybreak 16 and AK Pro CX16; Top 2013 International Tennis Federation ranking: Junior Male's Single: 3
  • Japan Akiko Morigami – Umishima AK Power 16; Top 2005 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 41; Top 2007 WTA ranking: Women's Doubles: 59
  • Japan Kotomi Takahata – Tech Flex 16; Won 2011 Women's Doubles – Nikke National Japanese Tennis Championships
  • Vietnam Hoang Thanh Trung – Egg Power 16; Top 2011 National ranking: Men's Single: 1
  • Vietnam Nguyen Anh Thang – Polybreak 16; Top 2011 National ranking: Men's Single: 6

Badminton

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  • Thailand Thitipong Lapho, – R4X110; Top 2011 National ranking: Men's Doubles: 1 and Mixed Doubles: 3

Fishing

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  • Australia Paul Carter
  • Japan Norihiro Shigemi

Previous advisory staff

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Tennis

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  • China Peng Shuai – Polybreak 16 and Wintex 900; Top 2014 WTA ranking: Women's Doubles: 1; Top 2011 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 14
  • Russia Anna Kournikova – Super Tec AK Pro 16; Top 2000 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 8; Top 1999 WTA ranking: Women's Doubles: 1
  • Spain Conchita Martínez – Tec Gut Pro 16; Top 1995 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 2; Top 1993 WTA ranking: Women's Doubles: 7
  • United States Chanda Rubin – OG Micro 16; Top 1996 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 6; Top 1996 WTA ranking: Women's Doubles: 9
  • United States Chris Evert Lloyd – Top 1975 WTA ranking: Women's Single: 1
  • Australia Rod Laver – Top 1961 National ranking: Men's Single: 1
  • United States Jim Courier – OG Micro JC; Top 1992 National ranking: Men's Single: 1
  • United States Jimmy Connors – Top 1974 National ranking: Men's Single: 1
  • South Africa Wayne Ferreira – OG Super 16; Top 1996 National ranking: Men's Single: 6; Top 2001 National Ranking Men's Doubles: 9

Badminton

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  • Thailand Boonsak Ponsana – Roots Aermet 6900 Pro (limited edition Boonsak Ponsana model); BWF Highest Ranking: 4
  • Japan Hiroyuki Saeki – Customedge Type X; BWF Ranking: Men's Doubles: 38
  • Japan Ryota Taohata – Customedge Type X; BWF Ranking: Men's Doubles: 38; Mixed Doubles: 178

Distributors

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Asia

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Europe

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  • Austria Austria – Spartan Sport
  • Italy Italy – P.T. 2.1

North and South America

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Oceania

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References

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  1. ^ "Company Overview of Gosen Co., Ltd". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Racquet Depot – GOSEN". Racquet Depot. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b Florence, Warren. "Equipment: The Pros' Choices" (PDF). TENNIS Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  4. ^ McGrogan, Ed. "Interview with Jim Courier". TENNIS.com. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e "GOSEN CO., LTD". Patent Buddy. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "History". Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Gosen was officially recognized by the International Tennis Federation". Sonia Trading. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Gosen introduced world's first soft-touch, bio-degradable string, Nature's Bio Gut". Sonia Trading. Archived from the original on 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  9. ^ Rovell, Darren. "Sidelined Kournikova still a winner off the court in endorsement arena". ESPN. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  10. ^ Kandiah, K. "Partnership paying off". New Straits Times. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Gosen Contracted with Ms. Peng Shuai". Gosen Official Website. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  12. ^ "GOSEN finalises sponsorship with SOUTHERN TASMANIAN BADMINTON ASSOCIATION (STBA)". Gosen Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Gosen CALD Tournament". South Tasmania Badminton Association. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  14. ^ "GOSEN welcomes the 2013 GOSEN Geelong Open!" (PDF). 2013 GOSEN Geelong Open & Graded Entry Form. Retrieved 12 April 2013.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "ACT Badminton Open Entry Form" (PDF). ACT Badminton Association Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  16. ^ "GOSEN NSW Open Form Archived 2013-09-08 at the Wayback Machine" – NSW Badminton Association
  17. ^ "GOSEN OG-SHEEP Micro Reviews". Tennis Warehouse.
  18. ^ "Gosen Tennis Strings Catalogue". Gosen Japan. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  19. ^ "RYOGA TENBU & ISSEN". Gosen Japan. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Gosen Ryoga Shiden BRG03 Badminton Racket". Badminton Alley. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Gosen Catalogue – Shuttlecocks" (PDF). Gosen Japan. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  22. ^ "Gosen Authorized Shuttlecocks". Rakuten Global Market. Retrieved 5 March 2013.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "GOSEN GF-10 Authorized Shuttlecocks". Sunfast Japan. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  24. ^ "平成24年度 検定合格品 審査合格品 用具 器具 一覧表" (PDF). Nippon Badminton Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  25. ^ "Gosen Haribito Project". Gosen Official Website. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  26. ^ "Gosen Experience As Official Stringers". Gosen Japan. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  27. ^ "GOSEN Advisory Staff". GOSEN CONTRACTED PLAYERS. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
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