July 4, 2025
To All Members of the Press
Shelter Co., Ltd.
President & CEO: Yoshihiro Kimura
Shelter Licenses Mass Timber Construction and Fireproofing Technologies to Switzerland’s Häring AG
Shelter Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan; President & CEO: Yoshihiro Kimura) has entered into a technology licensing agreement with Häring AG, a leading mass timber construction company based in Eiken, Switzerland, led by Chairman Christoph Häring. The agreement was signed on June 10, 2025 (local time).
The purpose of this agreement is to foster mutual growth and contribute to the advancement of mass timber construction in both Europe and Japan. Shelter will license two core technologies to Häring AG, a company with an outstanding track record in large-scale mass timber buildings across Europe: the KES System, a patented timber connection method using custom-designed steel joints; and COOL WOOD, a certified self-extinguishing fireproof timber member system. This partnership aims to promote the adoption of mass timber high-rises and expand the timber construction market, particularly across the EU.
Christoph Häring commented:
“Using COOL WOOD in public architecture and large-scale/high-rise buildings is a meaningful and impactful step forward.”
With this collaboration, Shelter continues its mission to make Japan’s world-leading fire safety standards a global benchmark. From Japan—a country rich in wood culture—the company seeks to shape a sustainable future through its vision of the “Timber City.”
▲ (From left) Christoph Häring, Chairman of Häring AG; Kazuyoshi Kimura, Chairman of Shelter Co., Ltd.
(June 10, 2025, at Häring AG Headquarters)
Company profile of Häring AG available on page 3.
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For inquiries regarding this press release:
Public Relations Department, Shelter Co., Ltd.
E-mail: toiawase@shelter.inc
TEL: +81-23-647-5100
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Background
Driven by growing environmental awareness, mass timber construction is rapidly gaining momentum worldwide. However, many of these structures adopt design concepts comparable to Japan’s semi-fireproof standards—specifically, a sacrificial charring approach. This method assumes that the outer layers of timber will char during a fire, forming a protective layer that temporarily insulates the structural core. While this approach can delay structural collapse and facilitate evacuation and initial fire suppression, it does not guarantee post-fire structural integrity and often raises concerns about long-term reusability.
To address these limitations, Shelter is promoting Japan’s advanced fireproof mass timber technologies worldwide. Following previous agreements with WaltGalmarini AG (Switzerland, December 2023) and MKA (USA, April 2024), this partnership with Häring AG marks Shelter’s third international licensing collaboration.
By providing technologies designed to self-extinguish, prevent collapse, and suppress further combustion, Shelter aims to enable the safe realization of mass timber buildings on a global scale.
Examples of International Mass Timber High-Rises:
(All are hybrid structures combining timber with reinforced concrete or steel)
- Mjøstårnet (Norway): Completed in 2019, 18 stories, 85.4m
- HOHO Vienna (Austria): Completed in 2019, 24 stories, 84m
- Ascent Tower (USA): Completed in 2022, 25 stories, 86.6m
- Rocket & Tigerli (Switzerland): Scheduled for completion in 2026, 32 stories, 100m
- Atlassian Central (Australia): Scheduled for 2026, 39 stories, 182m
- C6 (Australia): Approved in 2023, 50 stories, 191.2m
(Note: The sacrificial charring approach assumes the outer layers of timber will burn away in a fire, preserving structural integrity temporarily.)
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Overview of Licensed Technologies
1. KES (Kimura Excellent Structure) System
Japan’s first patented hardware-based timber connection system, with patents granted in Japan, the U.S., and Canada.
By tightly joining beams and columns with proprietary connectors, the system dramatically improves seismic and structural performance, without requiring specialized installation skills.
Awarded the 2010 Science and Technology Award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan.
2. COOL WOOD Fireproof Timber Technology
A proprietary self-extinguishing fireproof timber member incorporating gypsum board as a fire-stopping layer.
Certified by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for 1, 2, and 3-hour fire resistance (with the 2- and 3-hour ratings being Japan’s first). Patents granted in Japan, Canada, and Switzerland.
The load-bearing core can use various high-density wood types including sugi (Japanese cedar), and is compatible with sawn timber, glulam, LVL, and CLT.
Technology is made openly available via the Japan Fireproof Timber Association.
Awarded the 2020 MEXT Science and Technology Award (Technical Category).
【 About Häring AG 】
Founded over 140 years ago, Häring AG is a Switzerland-based mass timber construction company and one of the EU’s leading manufacturers of large-section laminated timber. Headquartered in Eiken, it also operates offices in Zurich, Muttenz, Burgdorf, as well as in China and Singapore.
Häring specializes in designing and building sustainable, high-performance structures that meet rigorous architectural and functional standards.
Website: https://www.haring.ch/de/haring-de
【 About Shelter Co., Ltd. 】
Company Name: Shelter Co., Ltd.
President & CEO: Yoshihiro Kimura
Head Office:
1-5-13 Matsuei, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2473
Tokyo Office:
9F Mita Bellju Building, 5-36-7 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014
Established: December 1974
Business Activities:
- R&D, design, manufacturing, and sales of engineered wood components
(KES System, COOL WOOD, FREESTYLE WOOD curved/twisted timber) - Design and construction of large-scale, mid/high-rise, and fireproof timber buildings
- Fireproof design and consulting for timber structures
- Production of custom wooden interiors and large furniture using 3D processing
- Custom home design and renovation
- Urban planning and coordination for timber-based cities
Website: https://www.shelter.inc/
“Timber City,” “Forest in the City,” “KES,” “COOL WOOD,” and “FREESTYLE WOOD” are registered trademarks of Shelter Co., Ltd.
