Zojirushi Corporation Celebrates 100 Year Milestone
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) March 06, 2018 -- ZOJIRUSHI CORPORATION CELEBRATES 100 YEAR MILESTONE
Zojirushi’s reputation was built by those that came before us, by those who designed the thoughtful products that identify our brand - Norio Ichikawa, President & CEO
100 Years of Inspiration and Innovation!
2018 marks the 100th Anniversary of Zojirushi Corporation. Founded in 1918 by the Ichikawa brothers in Osaka as a manufacturer of hand-blown vacuum liners, by mid-century the company had progressed to a larger scale production of vacuum insulated carafes. From a small family run business, to a leader in several product categories, these past 100 years have seen great changes for the corporation. Zojirushi has grown to have a global presence with offices and factories in five countries, and the corporate commitment to creating innovative products that improve their customers’ quality of life has remained the driving force.
First established as the Ichikawa Brothers Trading Company, some of the initial products launched were glass-lined vacuum carafes, which set an industry standard for high quality vacuum insulated products. In 1970 their first electric product, a rice warmer, was introduced. Within the same decade, they launched the patented Air Pot® beverage dispenser. In the 80’s, micro computerized rice cookers and electric air pots were unveiled. Creating proprietary advanced technology and designing products tailored to the customers’ needs has propelled the company for the past century.
Zojirushi understands that in order to continue to deliver cutting-edge products, they need to continually evolve and move forward. “Change happens faster and more intensely now. Our competitors are no longer just those who used to be our competitors but new manufacturers entering the market from all corners of the world. They are not limited by the existing ways of the industry, but come up with new ideas in different ways very quickly. Continuing in the ways we’ve been operating will not even lead to status quo,” said President & CEO, Norio Ichikawa. “Zojirushi’s reputation was built by those that came before us, by those who designed the thoughtful products that identify our brand,” continued Mr. Ichikawa. “For the next 100 years, we will keep what made us Zojirushi, and execute changes that are necessary to keep up with the changes in the world.”
In addition to Osaka operations, Zojirushi has subsidiaries in Taiwan, Thailand, Shanghai, and in the U.S., where its headquarters were established in 1987. Zojirushi began distributing their products in the U.S. in 1968, but established Zojirushi America Corporation in Bell, California to better connect with their customers. This direct link in place, Zojirushi pursued their goal to create innovative products that would improve the American customer’s way of life.
Other Facts:
- 1918, Ichikawa Brothers Trading Company is established in Osaka, Japan
- In 1961, the name is changed to Zojirushi Corporation and the elephant is adopted as the corporate logo
- 1963, mass production of glass lined vacuum bottles begins
- 1983, micro-computerized or Micom rice cookers are introduced
- 1985, Tokyo main office is opened
- 1987, Zojirushi America Corporation is established in California
- 2008, Zojirushi celebrates its 90th anniversary, and the Vacuum Bottle & Air Pot® Pavilion opens at the Osaka Head office
- In 2016, Zojirushi had net sales of 89 billion yen (a little less than $810M), and made a record operating income of 12 billion yen (a little less than $110M)
- The Zojirushi Group now includes Zojirushi Corporation and 11 companies (including 3 factories and 4 international sales offices), with 1,300 employees
About Zojirushi
In 2018, Zojirushi celebrates its 100th anniversary, and a century of products designed to improve customers' quality of life—bringing comfort, ease, vitality and affluence to people around the world. Zojirushi was established in 1918 as a producer of hand-blown vacuum bottles and has been a world leader in thermal products ever since. The Zojirushi line was expanded to include a wide range of stainless steel vacuum bottles, rice cookers, breadmakers, Air Pot® beverage dispensers, thermal serving carafes, specialty cookware, small electrics, restaurant equipment, and other products. Striving to remain faithful to the principles that embodied the company's first 100 years, and the reputation of quality and durability it earned them, Zojirushi looks forward to a future of continued innovation and inspired design.
For more information on the entire quality Zojirushi Product Collection, contact Zojirushi America Corporation at 800.733.6270 or visit http://www.zojirushi.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zojirushiusa
On Twitter: @ZojirushiUSA
On Instagram: @zojirushiamerica
Krista Erickson, Zojirushi, http://www.zojirushi.com, +1 (310) 926-1435, [email protected]
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