History

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1935
  • Mizo Hioki begins manufacturing electrical indicating meters in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1938
  • Mizo Hioki establishes HIOKI Electrical Instrument Works in Meguro-ku, Tokyo.
1945
  • Hioki's plant is relocated to Sakaki-machi in Nagano Prefecture after World War II.
1946
  • Hioki launches its first tester (the model H Circuit Tester).
1952
  • HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION is incorporated with a capitalization of ¥1.8 million. Mineji Hioki is the first president of the new company.
  • The U.S. Air Force (Far East) taps Hioki to manufacture MIL-SPEC multi-testers for use in aircraft maintenance.
1961
  • The company's trademark design is finalized.
1962
  • The Hioki mission statement is adopted.
1968
  • Hioki's electrical indicating meters are certified to bear the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) mark.
1971
  • Hioki launches the Clamp Tester CT-300.
1973
  • Hioki launches the Insulation Resistance Meter IR-305.
  • Hioki launches the Earth Tester ER-309.
1975
  • Hioki develops and launches a taut band meter with an internal magnet.
  • Hioki launches the Digital HiTester 3201.
1977
  • Hioki brand products are launched in the U.S. market.
  • Hioki launches the Digital Clamp HiTester 3202.
1978
  • Hioki's battery-powered insulation resistance meter and circuit tester are certified to bear the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) mark.
  • Hioki develops and launches the industry-leading Clamp on Power HiTester 3131 and 3133, both clamp-type power meters.
  • Hioki launches the Yamabiko promotional car and begins a tour to visit end-users nationwide.
1980
  • The first issue of Hioki Technical Notes is published.
1981
  • Hioki launches the Clamp on Power HiTester 3161.
  • Hioki launches the HiTester 3000.
1983
  • Hioki develops and launches the industry-leading Memory HiCorder 8801.
1984
  • Hioki begins exporting products to China.
1985
  • Hioki produces the statue Challenge to Dream as part of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of its founding.
  • Hioki receives its first Good Design Award (for the Memory HiCorder 8801 and five other models).
1986
  • The Hioki Philosophy is adopted.
  • Hioki launches the In-Circuit HiTester 1101.
1988
  • Employees hold a tree-planting festival at Hioki Forest Hills, the site of the current Headquarters.
1989
  • Forest Hills Scholarship Fund, a special public-interest trust, is launched.
1990
  • The Headquarters and main plant are relocated to a newly completed facility at Hioki Forest Hills in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture.
1991
  • Hioki stock is listed on Japan's over-the-counter market.
  • The Ueda Minami League youth baseball program is launched.
1993
  • Hioki receives ISO 9001 certification.
  • Hioki Lodge is completed.
1994
  • HIOKI FOREST PLAZA CORPORATION is established.
1995
  • Hioki holds HIOKI Techno Festival '95 as part of events commemorating the 60th anniversary of its founding.
  • The first Local Afforestation event is held at Kamishina Elementary School.
1997
  • Hioki receives ISO 14001 certification.
1998
  • Local subsidiary HIOKI USA CORPORATION is established in the United States.
1999
  • HIOKI ENGINEERING SERVICE CORPORATION is established. (Merged with Hioki E.E. Corporation in 2013)
2000
  • The joint venture TKK HIOKI is established in Taiwan. (The joint venture was dissolved in 2018.)
  • The Singapore Representative Office opens. (Closed when the company was established.)
  • The first Hioki Festival is held.
2001
  • The Shanghai Representative Office opens. (Closed when the company was established.)
  • Hioki is listed with "2nd Section" of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2002
  • The joint venture HIKING Technology is established in China. (The joint venture was dissolved in 2018.)
2003
  • Hioki is listed with "1st Section" of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2005
  • The Hioki Scholarship and Greening Foundation is established.
  • Hioki holds the HIOKI Solution Fair as part of events commemorating the 60th anniversary of its founding.
2006
  • The joint venture THT Technology is established in Taiwan. (The joint venture was dissolved in 2018.)
  • The Tianjin Representative Office opens.
  • Construction of a new plant adjacent to the Headquarters and main plant is completed.
  • DKK-TOA Corporation transfers its electronic measuring instruments business to Hioki.
  • HiNSTEC CO., LTD. is established. (Merged with Hioki E.E. Corporation in 2011)
2007
  • HIOKI (Shanghai) SALES & TRADING CO., LTD., is established in China. (Company name changed to HIOKI (Shanghai) MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. in 2021.)
  • Hioki begins supporting the Kenya Vegetation Restoration Project.
2008
  • Hioki develops and launches the world's first metallic non-contact voltmeter (Safety HiTester).
2009
  • Hioki's main plant is recognized by the Prime Minister of Japan for distinguished service in promoting afforestation during 2009.
2010
  • HIOKI INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED is established. (The company closed in 2016.)
  • HIOKI SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. is established.
2011
  • The South Korea Representative Office opens. (Closed when the company was established.)
  • Hioki receives the 2011 Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Encouragement Award in recognition of its safety and hygiene policies.
2012
  • HIOKI KOREA CO., LTD. is established in South Korea.
  • Representative office opens in Taiwan. (Closed when the company was established.)
2013
  • The Seoul Representative Office opens in Seoul, South Korea. (The company closed in 2014.)
  • Construction of the Research Center and the Health & Fitness Center begins.(Construction of the Health & Fitness Center is completed in November.)
2014
  • The Clamp on Power Logger PW3365 receives the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism Award in the JECA FAIR 2014 product contest.
  • The Safety Voltage Sensor PW9020 receives a 2014 Design for the Future Award (Good Design Special Award).
2015
  • Construction of the HIOKI Innovation Center, the company’s new R&D facility, is completed.
  • The HIOKI Innovation Fair is held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the company’s founding.
  • The Safety Voltage Sensor PW9020 receives a German Design Award 2016 Special Mention. (The German Design Award is an international design award.)
2016
  • Hioki changes the color of its corporate logomark.
  • Middle East Representative Office opens in Dubai, UAE.
  • HIOKI INDIA ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED is established in India. (Business change and company name changed to HIOKI INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED in 2019.)
2017
  • Construction of Hioki Lodge No.2 is completed.
  • HIOKI EUROPE GmbH is founded in Germany.
  • HIOKI USA CORPORATION's Western Regional Office opens in Torrance, California, U.S.A.
2018
  • HIOKI TAIWAN CO.,LTD. is founded in Taiwan.
  • PT. HIOKI ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT is founded in Indonesia. (Company name changed to PT. HIOKI ELECTRIC INDONESIA in 2023.)
  • The Memory HiCorder MR6000 receives an internationally prestigious iF Design Award.
2019
  • The Current Probe CT6710, CT6711 instruction manual (Japanese) receives nomination and the "Award for Superior Achievement" in the Industry category at the 2019 Japan Manual Awards.
  • The AC/DC Current Sensor CT6877 receives a Selection Award at the JIDA Museum Selection Vol. 21.
2020
  • HIOKI USA CORPORATION's head office is relocated to Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.
  • The Memory HiLogger LR8450 and LR8450-01 Quick Start Manual (Japanese) receives a "Manual of the Year 2020" at the 2020 Japan Manual Awards.
  • HIOKI (Shanghai) TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD. is founded in China.
2021
  • Takahiro Okazawa becomes President of HIOKI.
  • HIOKI (Shanghai) MEASURING INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD. is founded in China.
  • Sakaki Factory is established.
2022
  • Hioki made transition to the "Prime Market" of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2023
  • The Creative Collaborative Laboratory opens at Hioki’s Innovation Center.