History

Toyo Kohan was founded.

The company was established as the first private tin plate manufacturer for the purpose of achieving self-sufficiency in tin plate, which at the time was largely dependent on imports. The head office was located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and the plant was located in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Began production of tin plate

Operations began at the Kudamatsu Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture (February, 1935).

Stock listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

The company’s stock was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Head office relocation

Head office moved to Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
This company building was originally constructed as the Dojun-kai Toranomon Apartments.

Electrolytic Tinning Lines installed

In order to meet the increasing demand under the high economic growth, the company installed an electrolytic tinning line and expanded into electrolytic tin plate. Continuous tin plating process became possible.

Second rationalization planning

A second rationalization plan was drawn up with the aim of modernizing the entire plant. The second rationalization plan was larger in scale and involved plans to borrow from the Export-Import Bank of Washington. In January 1958, a delegation from the Export-Import Bank of Washington visited Japan and inspected the Kudamatsu Plant, and in June 1958, a loan of $7.1 million was approved for the Company.

Birth of cold-rolled steel sheet “Top”

By utilizing rolling technology, “TOP,” cold-rolled steel sheet with excellent etching properties, thickness accuracy, and shape was created.

Birth of resin decorative steel sheet “VINYTOP”

“VINYTOP”, a resin decorative steel sheet made by laminating vinyl chloride onto galvanized steel sheet was created. This was the world’s first commercialization of vinyl coated steel sheets.

Birth of tin free steel “High-Top”

We were the first in the world to commercialize “Hi-Top,” a tin-free steel that does not use tin, as an alternative can-making material to tinplate.

Birth of electro-galvanized steel sheet “Silver Top”

“Silver Top”, an electro-galvanized steel sheet with improved corrosion resistance, was created based on zinc, which has an excellent rust-preventive effect on steel.

Technology exchange agreement signed with Rasselstein

In 1965, we exported High-Top technology to Rasselstein, a German tinplate manufacturer, and since then a friendly relationship has been established with the company. A technology exchange agreement was signed in 1981, and technology exchange meetings have been held regularly since then.

Birth of laminated steel sheet “Hi-Pet” and
aluminum substrates for magnetic disks “MD”

Products launched included Hi-Pet, a laminated steel sheet that combines low environmental impact, great paintability, corrosion resistance and content protection, and hygienic properties, and MD, an aluminum substrate for magnetic disks that we created by applying our polishing and plating technologies to other materials.

Birth of Nickel-plated steel sheet “Nickel-Top”

In anticipation of growing demand in the battery field, “Nickel-Top”, a nickel-plated steel sheet that utilizes rolling, heat treatment, and surface treatment technologies was created.

First overseas subsidiary established in Malaysia

Established TOYO-MEMORY TECHNOLOGY SDN.BHD (TMT), which applies our surface treatment and polishing technologies to products other than steel plates, and manufactures and sells “MD” aluminum substrates for magnetic disks in collaboration with Marubeni Corporation and it became a wholly owned subsidiary in August 2013.

Birth of high-performance dissimilar metal laminate material “Clad material”

A high-performance dissimilar metal laminate material called “Clad material” was created, which was the first in the world to establish a surface-activated room-temperature bonding method.

Head office building relocated

Head office moved to Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
This company building was designed by Masachika Endo, a leading figure in modern to contemporary architectural design.

Birth of functional films for containers
“Fine Cast Film”

With the aim of in-house production of laminated film, “Fine Cast Film,” a functional film for containers was created.

Birth of biochip substrate “DNA chip”

The biochip substrate “DNA chip” was created using the world’s first gas phase synthesis method.

Held an open-house event at the Plant

An open-house event “Toyo Kohan Community Friendship Day” was held at our Kudamatsu Plant for the purpose of interacting with local residents. The event is still held today under the name “TK WORKS Festival in Kudamatsu.”

Commercial production of optical functional films began.

Based on film production technology for films for cans and building materials, commercial production of an “optical functional film” has begun, which has found potential in optical applications.

Established sales subsidiary in China

Sales subsidiary Toyo Kohan Shanghai Co., Ltd. (STK) was established in China.

Established a joint venture company in the Republic of Turkey.

In the Republic of Turkey, a joint venture company “TOSYALI TOYO CELIK ANONIM SIRKETI (TAT)” was established with Tosyali, a local steel manufacturing company. In 2014, the company also decided to construct a surface-treated steel sheet manufacturing plant as a stepping stone for global expansion of its steel sheet-related business.

Formulation of the brand “TK WORKS”

Toward the 100th anniversary of our founding, the Toyo Kohan Group has established and begun to develop the brand “TK WORKS” in order to rebuild our vision for the future and strengthen our foundation.

Fuji Technica & Miyazu Inc. became a subsidiary.

Fuji Technica & Miyazu Inc., which manufactures and sells press molds for automobile bodies, has become a wholly owned subsidiary. We aim to expand our business into the automotive industry, where growth and technological innovation are expected to continue.

Received domestic manufacturing and sales approval for genetic analysis kit “GeneSilicon DNA Chip Kit UGT1A1”

“GeneSilicon DNA Chip Kit UGT1A1”, a gene analysis kit developed by our company together with Yamaguchi University, has received domestic manufacturing and sales approval (pharmaceutical approval) and has begun its full-fledged expansion into the medical field.

Commercial production began at Tosyali Toyo Steel CO. INC., a joint venture in Turkey

The Turkish joint venture Tosyali Toyo Steel CO. INC. has completed installation of its manufacturing facilities at the Osmaniye plant and began commercial production in May 2017.

Delisted due to becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd.

Head office building relocated

The head office was moved to the current location, “Osaki Forest Building” in Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.
This environmentally friendly building, owned by Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd., is designed to resemble an “urban forest” with many trees on the premises.