industrial engines require a high level of maintainability and stability, as well as durability, waterproofing, and dustproofing.

In Japan, fishing boats equipped with engines began to appear in around 1906, and in around 1916, the power and size of fishing boats had increased rapidly.

After that, a transition was made from using motorboats as fishing boats to using diesel ships for reasons related to fuel and operational performance.

Focusing on this transition to diesel, Kubota began the development of marine diesel engines around 1927, utilizing its oil engine manufacturing technology, as well as its steam engine technology and experience, which had gone unused in recent years.

Compared to oil engines, diesel engines have higher durability, better water and dust resistance, are easier to maintain, and provide more stable performance, and therefore gradually became the trend in industrial engines.

Applying manufacturing technology for oil engines, Kubota, which had been producing marine diesel engines until then, began manufacturing Acro diesel engines (air cell engines) at its Funade-cho plant. The company entered the field of land diesel engines used to power water pumps and sawmills, receiving praise from the market.

As Japan's rural economy began to recover and the demand for engines increased, Kubota responded by building a modern, state-of-the-art factory specialized for engines in Sakai, Japan.

Following the success of its industry leading iron pipe business and due to its strong desire to expand the machinery division, Kubota introduced a conveyor belt system at its Sakai Plant.

After full-scale operation began in 1938, the production capacity of engines doubled. It came to account for 55% of the national production.