ASK is a Japanese brand specializing in linear guides and ball screws. The company was founded in 1975 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, by its founder, Isao Akamine. In its early years, ASK primarily focused on distribution business. In 1981, they established the Shinshu factory in Nagano, and in 1988, the ASK brand was refreshed and has been in use since then.
ASK's strategic approach involves scaling down manufacturing operations and opting for business and technical collaborations with European and American brands. In the 1980s, ASK established business and technical partnerships with UK-based Hepco, Germany's STAR (now known as Bosch Rexroth), and US-based Bishop-Wisecarver. Since the 1990s, they have collaborated with Hans Worm from Germany, Pacific Bearing from the US, T-RACE from Italy, Alulineartechnik from Switzerland, Franke from Germany, and Rollon from Italy. While maintaining ASK as an independent brand, they introduced product lines from these overseas brands, combining them with ASK's technical support and local services, creating a synergistic effect similar to a joint brand. ASK's products are not only sold in Japan but also exported to countries including the UK, Germany, the US, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Singapore, Australia, and Israel.
Product Portfolio
ASK's product line can be divided into four major categories: rolling guides, linear guides, linear bushings, and guide ball screws.
