When the Tobata Foundry Co., the forerunner of Proterial, Ltd., shipped its first product in 1910, it bore a^™(Gourd brand) symbol. This symbol bore the hopes and aspirations that products would be "tougher, smoother, and aesthetically pleasing." Since this time, the Gourd brand has been widely used in industrial and household fields, as well as overseas markets. Today, the^™(Gourd brand) is well respected throughout the world.