From the moment it was launched more than 30 years ago, the Sugatsune HES range didn’t so much rewrite the rulebook on concealed hinges. It ripped out all the pages and started again.
Concealed hinges may be hidden from sight. But over the past three decades, our HES hinges have become a visible hallmark of everything the Sugatsune brand stands for. Innovation. Minimalist design. Precision engineering. Understated ingenuity.
From radically reimagining the very concept of a concealed hinge to establishing the world’s most comprehensive choice of products suitable for every use case – both cabinets and interior doors – HES has become one of our most iconic (and popular) ranges.
So what makes an icon? To know the history of the HES series is to understand what makes it that little bit special.
The Butterfly Effect: 1989
The story starts back in 1989, when Sugatsune introduced the first ever concealed hinge for interior doors. It wasn’t just another hinge. It was a revolution in hinge design.
Rather than borrowing from the pivot-arm mechanics common in concealed cabinet hinges, Sugatsune engineers created something radically different: a compact, symmetrical hinge that folded away in on itself, neatly hidden between door and frame. No bulky pivot arms. No compromise on load-bearing strength. Just seamless movement and flush alignment.
Its signature silhouette – a stylishly symmetrical mechanical butterfly – became the face of Sugatsune’s hinge revolution.
Smart Adjustment: 1992
Concealed hinges may look effortless once installed, but anyone who’s ever hung a door knows the truth: alignment is everything.
So in 1992, Sugatsune added something game-changing to the HES formula: adjustability. The second-generation HES hinge became one of the first concealed models on the market that allowed both vertical and horizontal adjustment after installation.
You no longer had to remove the door to tweak the fit. You didn’t have to compromise on symmetry. You just turned the screws, and the hinge did the rest.
Smart? Very. Easy? Even better.
Adding a New Dimension: 2006
In 2006, along came the HES3D, still the flagship model in the range to this day.
The name says it all. This iteration introduced depth as a third axis of adjustment. It also brought along a detachable frame plate, making installation a breeze. Hang the frame side first. Then click the door into place.
No balancing acts. No awkward angles. Just a perfectly engineered fit, faster than ever.
It’s no wonder the HES3D quickly became a flagship. From small cabinetry to hefty 125kg doors, it was the first truly universal concealed hinge system on the market.
Elegant, strong, and built for everything from wardrobes to architectural portals – it proved that minimalist design and maximum performance can, in fact, coexist.
New Frontiers: 2022
Fast-forward to 2022, and the story takes another leap forward.
That year, Sugatsune unveiled not one but two new members of the HES family: the HES2 and the HES1-F.
The HES2 introduced surface mounting for the first time. With HES2 hinges, only the door has to be mortised. On the frame side, you simply screw on a plate. The result? Fast, efficient installation, especially for slim or even frameless door types. Same smooth concealed look, way less hassle.
The HES1-F, on the other hand, was purpose-built for ultra-thin door frame as slim as 8mm. This model isn’t quite fully hidden, but thanks to a recessed, flush-mounted design, it all but disappears from view. More importantly, it delivers a nearly invisible 5mm door gap.
Which brings us to another accolade.
Award-Winning Safety and Style
Several models in the HES3D line – the 70, 90, 120, H-120-36, and 120-A100 – have been recognised with Japan’s prestigious Kids Design Award. It’s an honour that highlights not only aesthetics and usability, but also child safety. These hinges all maintain door gaps under 13mm – tight enough to significantly reduce the risk of trapped fingers.
The award is backed by Japan’s Better Living standards, overseen by the non-profit Kids Design Association. While it doesn’t certify absolute safety, it does recognise designs that promote safe, nurturing environments – especially in family and educational spaces.
More Than a Hinge
It’s easy to think of hinges as mere details – mechanical necessities, not design statements. But for us, details matter.
From the first flush-fitting butterfly of 1989 to today’s 3D-adjustable, award-winning models, the HES range has continued to push what concealed hinges can be. Stronger. Smarter. Subtler.
They’re not just functional parts. They’re precision-engineered, quietly beautiful solutions that elevate the entire concept of a door.
Where will they go next? That part’s still hidden. But if history is any guide, you won’t see it coming.
And that’s exactly the point.
