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

KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. incorporated
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