Founder of Shima Seiki Receives Honorary Degree

NC State conferred degrees on nearly 3,500 graduating students during its fall commencement exercise on Dec. 15 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh.

Chancellor Randy Woodson delivered the commencement address. During the ceremony, he conferred a Doctor of Science honorary degree on Masahiro Shima, founder and chairman of the board of directors of Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited, known for innovations in garment manufacturing. 

Shima is the founder and chairman of the board of directors of Shima Seiki, known for innovations in flat knitting machines. He holds numerous patents and earned the nickname the “Edison of Wakayama,” his hometown in Japan. He founded Shima Seiki in 1962, based on development of the world’s first fully automated glove knitting machine. The company is known worldwide for developing Wholegarment computerized knitting technology used by both casual wear manufacturers and top designers to create seam-free garments, including three-dimensional pullovers, elegant dresses, jackets, pleated skirts, pants and running shoes.

He has received numerous awards for textile engineering, green development and service. Recent honors include the Italian government’s Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity in 2010 and induction into the American Textile Hall of Fame in 2012. He received the grand prize in the Kygyoka Prize competition in 2015, a Japanese Prime Minister’s Award for his contribution to greening efforts in 2016 and the Japanese government’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, on Nov. 2, 2017.

This post was adapted from a post originally published in NC State News.