FAQ

We have collected a list of frequently asked questions that we receive from customers.
If you do not find the answer to your question here, please contact us using the Inquiries form.

For All Products

What does ASANO METAL INDUSTRY manufacture?

ASANO is a manufacturer of stainless steel products located in Sanjo, Niigata prefecture, a manufacturing hub in Japan. We have been in business for over 70 years planning, manufacturing, and selling stainless steel products for the fishing/marine industry and building/civil engineering market. Stainless steel fishing gear and ship equipment that we began manufacturing in 1977 are used and valued by customers in Japan as well as in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand.

Do you have a minimum order quantity (minimum lot size)?

Generally speaking, no. We accept orders of as little as a single unit.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

Usually around two weeks.
Shipping arrangements are made after we confirm payment for the product(s) ordered, and we ship within seven days of payment. In order to ensure that our customers receive their orders as soon as possible, we ship via a suitable courier option, which takes approximately seven to ten days, depending on region and other various factors. Sea shipment may also be an option, based on product weight and/or upon customer request.

How much will shipping cost?

Shipping costs vary significantly by weight, size, and shipping method. Please contact us for more information.

Are your products manufactured in Japan?

Our products are manufactured at partner factories in countries around Asia including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Korea. We assign manufacturing work according to each factory’s ability to produce particular products. In the central office in Niigata prefecture in Japan, comments and feedback from actual work sites are applied to carefully design and develop products, which are manufactured at factories most appropriate for specific products around the world so that we can market the products at reasonable prices.

Can I directly purchase products from you?

Yes, if you represent a business. We directly sell products to fishing gear shops, fishing net manufacturers, and other retailers. At ASANO, we do not have any particular agency system; please feel free to contact us if you are interested in doing business with us.
Note: ASANO only carries out business-to-business transactions. We do not directly sell products to individuals, including fishers.

Can I actually see the products?

We can send you samples as requested. (Excluding individuals)
We also exhibit our products at exhibitions in Europe and the U.S. Please visit relevant exhibitions to see our products.
- Exhibition in the U.S. (Seattle exhibition) https://www.pacificmarineexpo.com
- Exhibition in Denmark https://www.danfish.com
- Exhibition in Norway https://www.nor-fishing.no
* Please access the above websites regarding future exhibitions.

Can you tell me where the nearest dealer is to me?

If you let us know where you live and which dealer(s) you work with, we can let you know about sellers that have a history of selling ASANO products. Please do not hesitate to ask for more information.

Stainless Steel Block

How should I select a block?

Before selecting a product, first check where you will be using the product, the diameter of the rope you will be using with it, and the working load of the product. Alternatively, feel free to contact us for a consultation to determine what would be right for you.

What is the “Special Stainless Steel” listed as a material?

Many ASANO products are made from types of stainless steel selected to best fit the intended installation site and intended use. These include steel with high seawater tolerance to better resist rusting, steel with greater strength, and other more specialized types of steel compared to the standard SUS304.

How long do your products last?

Product lifespan will depend on usage environment, frequency of use, and maintenance, making it unfeasible to give a general answer. However, there may be useful information we could provide based on our past sales data, so please feel free to contact us for more details.

Do you sell replacement parts?

Yes, we do. However, the replacement parts needed will vary by product, so please contact us directly for details on replacement methods, pricing, and more.

Fishing Gear & Ship Equipment

Do you sell replacement parts on their own?

Yes, we sell some replacement parts, such as springs, screws, and rollers, on their own. Please contact us for more information on replacement methods, pricing, and other details about these.

Do you take special orders for products?

ASANO always pays attention to comments, feedback, and suggestions from customers. Many of our products have been developed from customers suggestions, and they are now used and valued globally. If you have any problems related to your work or have alternative ideas for products including those of other manufacturers, please contact us. We will take your comments into account for future products.

Are the black rollers on the purse rings also made of stainless steel?

No, the black rollers are made of alloy steel, which is harder than stainless steel. This makes it suitable for use with metal wire ropes. Stainless steel rollers, on the other hand, are recommended for use with fiber ropes, because using metal wire ropes with stainless steel rollers could seriously damage them under certain usage conditions.

Rigging Hardware & Wire Rope

Are you able to sell products that are not listed in your catalogs or on your website?

Generally speaking, no, we only offer the products listed in our catalogs and on our website.

What factor of safety do your products have?

At ASANO, we design our products with a high factor of safety in mind (6 to 10 for most of our products, or even higher), to help keep users safe. For more information on the breaking loads of our products, please contact us, and we can provide our test data for reference.

Do you sell cut wire rope?

Yes, we can sell cut wire rope by the meter, but it will be relatively expensive.

Can you process wire rope?

We can cut rope to the desired length and handle eye-swaging processing of the ends. Please contact us to request either of these services.

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Catalog

Download our catalog, featuring over 150 pages of products designed to meet the needs of a wide range of professionals.

Inquiries

For questions about our products, new business requests, dealers, and more, please contact us here.

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