Get beautiful stateside with the latest business opening in New Jersey. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, makeup manufacturer Tokiwa opened a new $30-million facility in Monroe Township, NJ. The 153,000-plus square foot standalone building is located on more than 12 acres. The FDA-registered facility is capable of producing OTC and SPF rated products and will operate under cGMP certification.
The Japanese-based cosmetics manufacturer aims to become a global leader in the beauty business. In 1969 it created a mechanical pencil for eye cosmetics—a success that continues today with its innovative makeup designs.

“Our company’s objective is to deliver Japanese quality and standards at competitive prices for all of our customers,” said Bob Congionti, vice president of operations for Tokiwa Cosmetics America. “The expectations for this facility are bold and uncompromising. Our goal is to separate us from other contract manufacturers. We are proud to show the work we have done here.”

Established in 1948, Tokiwa is based in Tokyo, Japan and celebrating 70 years of business success. It is the largest OEM/ODM color cosmetics manufacturer in Japan, accounting for more than 30% of color cosmetics produced in 2018, according to the company. Well-known for its innovations in cosmetic formulations and componentry, it has advanced research and development capabilities with more than 400 patents worldwide, and is a supplier to prominent beauty brands around the world.

A steady supply of high-quality products and its agility to respond to rapidly growing market demand has enabled Tokiwa to develop a strong reputation among its business partners. The company is also well positioned to benefit from the rising demand and admiration for safe, quality  “Made in Japan” cosmetic products, fueled by a booming tourism market.

Tokiwa currently owns and operates five cosmetic manufacturing sites in Japan, plus others in China and the Philippines. It maintains sales offices in Tokyo, Paris, New York and Shanghai to serve the needs of cosmetic companies and brands around the world.

The new facility is staffed with both Japanese and locally based formulators and chemists.

The cosmetics that will be produced in the US facility will be many of the same items Tokiwa produces in Japan: mechanical pencils for eyes/lips/brows/face; lipsticks/glosses/stains; powders—loose/pressed/dry/wet/cream; eyeliners—liquid/gel/lead; mascaras; eye shadows; foundations; and others.

“Cleanliness is a main goal with this new facility,” Congionti said. “The rooms are engineered to maintain appropriate temperature, humidity and other factors.”

Tokiwa is a full-service provider, currently supplying nearly 90% of finished products on a turnkey basis, utilizing both original formulations and componentry. More than $30 million was spent to renovate, re-imagine and reconstruct the facility, along with investments in new machinery, equipment and working capital.

The facility is environmentally sound. For example, it has roof-mounted solar panels that generate sufficient energy capable of supplying 100% of the electrical needs of the facility. And, 52 high-efficient roof-mounted HVAC units provide a controlled manufacturing environment with very high levels of air quality and pressure control throughout the facility.

Each manufacturing function is housed in individually-controlled production rooms: pre-weigh rooms, separate bulk mixing rooms for powders and liquids, holding rooms for bulk and WIP, separate filling rooms for liquids and powders, plus an enormous assembly and packaging area.

This will be an FDA-registered facility capable of producing OTC and SPF rated products and will operate and adhere to cGMP.

The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm has announced an agreement to invest in Tokiwa Corporation through a strategic business and capital alliance before the facility upgrade.

“To meet clients’ individual needs, Tokiwa Cosmetics America will provide incredibly flexible services. Such as creating and providing products on a total turnkey basis, including our proprietary and patented formulations, componentry, packaging and filling, or on a contract manufacturing basis, based on your requirements,” said Congionti. “We look forward to building lasting partnerships with you that inspire creativity and bring delight and joy to consumers around the world.

“We are lining up the talents for our success as well as our customers’ success!”