History of KOITO
Founding Period
1912 - 1945
1912
December
Genrokuro Koito's success in the domestic production of Fresnel lenses for railway signal lamps
A Fresnel lens is a compression-molded lens that has a small circular convex center with annular prismatic elements at its periphery. The light passing through the lens is refracted into parallel beams. Anticipating the demand for railways, KOITO's founder succeeded in the domestic production of Fresnel lenses in December 1912. These lenses passed stringent tests, building the base for the company.
1915
April
Genrokuro Koito, founder
Koito Genrokuro Shoten founded
1919
November
Tsukishima Plant opened
1923
September
Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed office and Tsukishima Plant
1927
Developed Japanese first Golden Glow front light for railroads
1927
September
Tsukishima Plant reconstructed
1930
October
Koito Genrokuro Shoten becomes KOITO MANUFACTURING
1935
February
Shinagawa Plant opens
1936
April
Company logo adopted
1936
September
Entering the automotive lighting equipment sector
Based on KOITOʼs experience in supplying headlamps to military motorcycle with sidecars called "Kurogane" in 1932 and three-wheeled trucks in 1933, KOITO has started to produce headlamps for four-wheeled vehicles. We have supplied headlamps for the AA passenger cars to the automotive department of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. (current Toyota Motor Corporation) in 1936.
1943
April
Shizuoka Plant opens
