The forerunner of Araya Special Metal, which handles stainless steel pipes and shapes, was founded as Iwai Specialty Pipe Co., Ltd.-a joint venture between pipe manufacturer Araya Industrial Co., Ltd. and Iwai Sangyo Company Ltd. (Sojitz Corporation)-in 1960.

With eight stainless steel centers established nationwide, Araya Special Metal currently stocks and sells round and square stainless steel pipes, shapes, bar steel, and flat bars. More than 6,000 items are handled, and the company boasts the top share in the domestic distribution of stainless steel products other than plates and sheets. Additionally, the company has three ordinary steel pipe centers.

The secret of the company's strength is in the abundant product selection available at its nationwide delivery centers and the just-in-time rapid delivery system it devised. Araya Special Metal stocks stainless steel products in different shapes, material qualities, and sizes, of course, but it also stocks truly diverse stainless steel products, including polished shapes unique to stainless steel. The company offers meticulous service, wrapping varieties of pipe often used in railings individually in plastic wrappers to protect their surfaces during storage and shipping, and offers a complete range of joints and other plumbing products.

The company's system of twice-daily deliveries is another facet other companies have been unable to imitate. The company responds to small-lot, short-delivery-time requirements with an instant delivery service under which orders received by noon, even for a single pipe, are shipped out that very day. For example, nearly 3,000 tonnes of inventory are stored at the mammoth, 5,290-m2 Osaka Stainless Steel Center in Izumiotsu, near its headquarters in Osaka. Twenty trucks simultaneously depart at 1 p.m. daily, delivering products to customers around the Kinki region.