A Partner Expanding Creativity in Confectionery ／Stable, High-Precision Design Cutting for Extended Operation Improved Productivity and Ease of Use [Food-Grade Waterjet Cutter “AQUA KNIFE” | BudoonoMori Co.,Ltd.]

BudoonoMori Co.,Ltd operates businesses ranging from the production and sale of Japanese and Western confectionery to cafés, restaurants, and wedding services.

BudoonoMori Co.Ltd first introduced Sugino Machine’s food-grade waterjet cutter “AQUA KNIFE” in 2019 at its factory near the main store. The introduction aimed to expand production capacity and support the growing popularity of signature products such as “Katanuki Baum(cut-out Baumkuchen)” ,which features charming designs, enjoyable shape-cutting, and carefully crafted taste. After implementation, the system proved capable of stable, high-precision cutting even for intricate designs, becoming an indispensable tool for the company’s creative confectionery production. Between 2022 and 2025, additional AQUA KNIFE units were gradually introduced, and currently a total of six machines are in operation at the facility.

We interviewed President Hiroyuki Maeda at the open, light-filled main store surrounded by lush greenery, as well as Mr. Reiji Imai (Head of Production Division 2), who is responsible for manufacturing at the factory where artisans carefully craft confections with great attention to detail.

Background and Challenges

Demand increased as products such as “Katanuki Baum” (cut-out Baumkuchen) gained popularity, leading to the launch of regional limited-edition designs across Japan and the opening of new permanent stores.

Performance and Results After Implementation

With excellent durability, the system enables long continuous operation and stable cutting even of intricate designs.

Improved the System Based on On-site Feedback.

On-site feedback was shared with Sugino Machine, resulting in equipment that reflects real operational needs.

Future Outlook

Ongoing product development will continue to focus on artistry and storytelling. To enable the creation of new cake and confectionery designs, further advancement of Sugino Machine’s equipment is expected, along with the development of systems capable of cutting more complex shapes, including 3D forms.

――First, please tell us about the company overview.

President Hiroyuki Maeda (hereinafter “President Maeda”): Our company is engaged in the production of Western and Japanese confectionery, as well as café, restaurant, and wedding businesses. At our main store, which is blessed with a rich natural environment, we offer hospitality in a special setting where guests can experience storytelling and nature, with a focus on food and agriculture.

As for our products, we place great importance on three values: deliciousness, beauty, and storytelling. We focus on creating products that enable customers to enjoy seasonal offerings and the craftsmanship of our artisans. Based on this concept, we are currently actively developing new products.

――What types of products is Sugino Machine’s AQUA KNIFE used for?

President Maeda: It is used for products such as “Kin Kasutera,” which features a gold leaf coating on the surface, and for cutting “Katanuki Baum,” which allows customers to enjoy shape-cutting designs.

Although “Kin Kasutera” is a visually stunning product, cutting it with a conventional knife can cause the gold leaf surface to shrink or crack. In contrast, the AQUA KNIFE enables clean and precise cutting.

Furthermore, the flexibility to create free-form cutting lines, as well as the high-quality finish of the cut surfaces, are fully leveraged in products such as “Katanuki Baum.”

――We produce a wide range of design-focused products, including “Kin Kasutera” featuring intricate cut-out zodiac designs.

The “Rising Dragon,” inspired by the zodiac sign of the Dragon, was designed with exceptional attention to detail. Its intricate design was extremely challenging to achieve, making it a product that would not have been possible without the AQUA KNIFE. The result was an outstanding piece with exceptional visual appeal.

The AQUA KNIFE has enabled us to continuously expand our range of product designs.

――BudoonoMori currently operates six AQUA KNIFE at its factory near the main store. Could you tell us about the background behind their introduction?

Mr. Reiji Imai, Head of Production: The biggest factor was that Sugino Machine was a manufacturer capable of turning our ideas into reality. Its ability to support our creative confectionery production was the key reason we chose the AQUA KNIFE.

――What benefits have you experienced from using the AQUA KNIFE on a daily basis?

Mr. Imai: The AQUA KNIFE offers excellent durability, enabling us to establish a production system capable of handling long hours of continuous operation without issue.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Our production volume is high—we produce approximately 20,000 pieces of Katanuki Baum per day alone—and the AQUA KNIFE has allowed us to maintain smooth, uninterrupted production.

Even with intricate designs such as those used for Katanuki Baum, which place a significant load on the machine, the AQUA KNIFE continues to deliver stable cutting performance. That reliability gives us confidence in using it every day.

In addition, the pump pressure can be adjusted to suit different products, allowing us to achieve clean cuts on a wide range of materials, from soft doughs to harder products.

Since introducing the AQUA KNIFE, we have been able to reduce daily operating hours while increasing output per hour, contributing significantly to improved productivity.

――Since introducing the first AQUA KNIFE in 2019, you have continued to add more units in stages between 2022 and 2025.
How has the usability of the system improved with these enhancements?

Mr. Imai: We have provided feedback on areas such as maintenance and the operation panel, suggesting improvements that we believed would make the system even more user-friendly.

Because we work with food products, thorough cleaning and washing of the equipment is an essential part of our daily routine.

The first-generation system was larger, and cleaning often required us to crawl beneath the worktable. Today’s more compact design has significantly improved accessibility, making maintenance much easier and more efficient.

Another improvement was the addition of a raised lip along the door side of the worktable. Since the table is cleaned by rinsing it with water, this feature helps prevent water from spilling outside the machine and has significantly improved day-to-day operability.

As for the operation panel, the conventional control panel with numerous buttons has been replaced by a touchscreen interface, making the system much easier to operate.

The touchscreen has around four main control buttons, allowing operators to visually confirm the cutting process on the screen. Even employees with little experience operating machinery can quickly learn how to use it, significantly reducing the time and effort required for training.

Other improvements, such as reducing the weight of the door used to load and unload product trays and adjusting the height of the worktable, have helped reduce the physical burden on employees during daily operations.

――How would you describe Sugino Machine’s support services?

Mr. Imai: One of the advantages is that Sugino Machine has a service location in a neighboring prefecture, making it geographically close to our facility. If any issue arises, a quick phone call is all it takes for their team to come and provide support.　　　　　　Their response is always prompt, and they take the time to understand our needs and assist us sincerely, which we greatly appreciate.

――What would you like to pursue in the future?

Mr. Imai: We will continue to pursue products that are rich in storytelling and artistry. In particular, we would like to take on the challenge of creating cakes with more complex structures, including three-dimensional designs and intricate shapes.

We understand that Sugino Machine is developing five-axis control systems capable of handling even more sophisticated processing. We look forward to seeing the continued evolution of Sugino Machine’s technologies as a platform for expanding creativity in food manufacturing. As a trusted partner in manufacturing, we hope to continue taking on new challenges together in the years ahead.

――What kind of machine is the AQUA KNIFE to BudoonoMori?

President Maeda: The AQUA KNIFE has become an indispensable part of our operations. One of our key goals moving forward is to continue finding new ways to make the most of its capabilities.

While we are not machine experts, we are professionals in confectionery making. We have often wondered whether the equipment could do even more or whether additional features could help us bring new ideas to life.　　　　　　　By working closely together, Sugino Machine and our company have been able to incorporate many voices from the production floor into equipment improvements and new developments. I believe this collaboration has contributed to creating even better solutions for our operations.

――What are your expectations for Sugino Machine going forward?

President Maeda: We hope Sugino Machine will continue listening to user feedback and creating equipment that feels like a trusted partner in product development.