1890-1949From the dessemination of inventions and patents to sale of office equipment

1890

Itoki Shoten founded on December 1. Store at time of founding

1903

Started selling paper clips and staplers.

Commenced import and sales of clips and staplers.

Itoki Shoten, which was founded by Kijuro Ito in pursuit of diffusion of inventions and patents on December 1, 1890, increased the sales of office supplies in line with the times, and became known as a "ritzy shop in Hirano-machi" in the whole West Japan area. The most predominant products among their office supplies at that time were the clips and staplers which have become the most commonly used office stationery nowadays. Import and sales of both products were started with Itoki Shoten's trademarks in 1903. Itoki Shoten started manufacturing its own staplers later on, and they became a huge hit coupled with their chic design in the shape of a pigeon.

1906

The Kyushu Branch (in Fukuoka) was opened.

1908

Itoki Shoten Engineering Department was founded, and manufacturing of office equipment commenced.

1910

Imports and sales of English typewriters and thermos bottles were commenced.

Thermos bottle

1913

The Zeniaiki cash register was released.
Zeniaiki cash register

A photo at the time of Zeniaiki cash register release

1914

Released the vent-type safe (manufactured by Tokyo Takeuchi Safe Manufacturing Company).

1923

The Great Kanto Earthquake struck.

1924

Sakaisuji Branch (current Osaka Showroom) opened in Awaji-machi, Higashi Ward, Osaka.

The Japanese typewriter was released.
Toa Japanese Typewriter

1925

Started manufacturing steel cabinets and lockers.

1926

Started selling radios.

1931

The head office building was completed in Hirano-machi, Higashi Ward, Osaka.

1932

Started manufacturing the Idex office organization system.

The Idex was released.

Idex

1933

Itoki Shoten was reorganized as an incorporated company.

1934

Our first steel desks, steel desk chairs, and Idex systems appeared as catalog sales items.

The Steel round chair was released.

Steel round chair

1937

The Tokyo Branch was established in Gofukubashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo.

1950

Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. was founded.

1951

The Idex Card System was developed (our first system development).

1952

The cabinet and locker manufacturing plant was founded in Osaka.

1953

Terrestrials TV broadcasting commenced.

The Japanese Calculator was released.

Japanese Calculator

1954

Developed and released the lightweight safe.

1955

The S-type Desk was released.

S-type Desk

1956

The Nissho-type steel desk was released. (It paved the way for various types of desks.)

1957

Tokyo office was relocated to Ginza 1-chome.

The Steel Desk for Asahi Broadcasting Corporation was released.

Steel Desk for Asahi Broadcasting Corporation

1958

Tokyo Tower was completed.

1959

The Osaka Branch building was completed.

1960

We exhibited our products at the 5th Osaka International Trade Fair for the first time.

We established our major three filing, slip accounting and office layout systems.

Established the three major systems of filing, slip accounting, and office layout.

Around 1955, with the help of the rapid economic growth, as many factories were automated and office sizes expanded, people started to realize that streamlining was necessary. ITOKI created a trend toward thinking of an effective filing system as the first step to streamlining office work. This contributed to effective office work and improvement of the work environment, especially in local government offices. Sales of the three major systems, especially the slip accounting system in which posting on account ledgers became unnecessary, and an office layout system that proposed functional allocation of office equipment, furniture, and fixtures established ITOKI's reputation as a system builder.

1961

The general safe and fireproof safe manufacturing plant was founded in Moriguchi Osaka Itoki All Steel Co., Ltd. was founded.
Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd was listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange.

1962

1962 Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd was listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Home Furniture Sales Division was established.
We exhibited our products at an overseas trade show for the first time. Our home and student desks were released.

The Junior Desk was released.

Junior Desk

1963

A desk manufacturing plant was established in Osaka. The first overseas distributors were established in Malaya and Singapore. Itoki Shoten Co., Ltd was renamed to Itoki Co., Ltd.

1964

The Tokyo Olympic Games were held.

The Company philosophy "Our ITOKI" was established.

The A-type Desk was released.

A-type Desk

1965

The first Itoki Show was held.

1966

ITOKI TOKO Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was founded.

1967

The slogan "Good design, good system" was created.

1968

The steel shelf and partition manufacturing plant was founded in Kyoto.

The Nio Safe was released.

Nio Safe

1969

A technical partnership with an American company, Supreme, was formed to develop movable shelves.

1970-1979Office planning promoted by ITOKI

1970

A cabinet manufacturing plant was established in Kyoto. We exhibited our steel house at the Industry Pavilion of the Japan World Exposition.

1971

A Technical partnership was formed with an American company, Supreme, to develop automatic electronic filing systems. A technical partnership was formed with the American company, Reflector to develop store display fixtures.

Staff seconded to JETRO USA (furniture department) ( - 2000)

The Flexi Wall FC was released.

Flexi Wall FC

1972

The cabinet and mechatronics manufacturing plant was established in Shiga.

The Systema Trieve was released.

Systema Trieve

1973

ITOKI Show was held (in Tokyo and Osaka). Its theme was "New office planning concept."
Modulus was released.

The Modulus was released.

Modulus

1974

The first oil shock occurred.

ITOKI obtained management control of Fuji Living Industry Co., Ltd. (meeting chair and table manufacturing).
"OFFICE LIFE."

1975

The Office Plan Center was opened.

The Office Plan Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, was completed.

The Freedom Chair was released.

Freedom Chair

1976

Our 14 products were selected to apply the G mark (Good Design Mark). We scored the highest points in the furniture and facility categories (Freedom Chair, Haniline, Modulus, and meeting table).

The Promighty was released.

Promighty

1977

We began technical cooperation with a Swiss company, Vivo, and introduced a research facility furniture system.

1978

The second oil shock occurred.

We succeeded in the domestic manufacture of an electronically controlled deposit safe (ESCS).

The Research Facility Equipment was released.

Research Facility Equipment

1979

We invited office landscape advocate Dieter Jäger (Quickborner Team leader) to Japan.

We invited Mr. Dieter Jäger, leader of the Quickborner Team (an advocate of "Office Landscape") to Japan.

The Quickborner Team, a consulting company for office planning, invented the prototype of the modern office. They believed that the essence of office work existed in information and communication, and proposed a new type of office called "Office Landscape," which was different from the conventional geometric arrangement. ITOKI hosted the Quickborner Team leader, Mr. Dieter Yeager, and held lecture presentations and seminars for business managers and architectural experts. The innovative contents in relation to modern facility management to consider office space from the business efficiency perspective received positive reviews.

1980-1989New offices and ITOKI

1980

A technical partnership with the Dutch company Open Ark was formed to develop sliding-seat chairs.

1981

ITOKI won the Good Design Grand Prize in the Furniture and Interior category.

Staff seconded to JETRO Germany (furniture department) ( - 2000)

Products released in 1981

Vertebra
Thin-line Cabinet

1982

We introduced Total Quality Control (TQC).

The Auto Rack was released.

Auto Rack

1983

A chair manufacturing plant was established in Kyoto.

1984

ITOKI Systems Pty. Ltd. (in Singapore) and ITOKI of America (IOA) Pty. Ltd. (in the USA) were established.

The High Office Line was released.

High Office Line

1985

The Itoki CI System was introduced.

The ITOKI corporate identity (CI) system was introduced. ITOKI announced its symbol mark, symbol logo, Japanese company logo, corporate color, and new company flag at its foundation anniversary ceremony.

In 1985, ITOKI's CI was introduced with a theme of "environmental creation to enhance people's strengths." Its core symbol mark's design contains the "I" of "ITOKI." which represents completeness, and nine upward strokes, expressing a maximum. Together, they express the roles of a company and its individual employees, representing the concept of how an office environment needs to be created. The combination of the two "I" letters and one "O" represent stability between the Company and its customers. The three symbol colors are ITOKI orange as the main color, as well as green and blue, which remind you of a future office that enhances people's strength with harmony, tension, and energy.

1986

An electronic device manufacturing plant was completed in Shiga. Office uniforms designed by Junko Koshino were released.

1987

Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. changed its listing to the first sections of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange. The ITOKI PRESENTATION (IP) '87 was held. We concluded a contract with color planning specialist Clino Castelli to start a color project.

1988

US dollar warrant-bearing bonds were issued. The Kare desk System of Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. won the G Mark Grand Prize. The First Itoki Classic was held.

Munich Representative Office established ( - 1995)

Products released in 1988

FG Panel
Bio Table
Systema Streamer
Assort Line CR Desk

1989

ITOKI won the Deming Prize (Application Prize). Construction of the Osaka New Office Gallery was completed.

ITOKI Kosakusho Co., Ltd. won the Deming Prize (Application Prize).

TQM (Total Quality Management) was advocated in the USA in the 1980s and research of this quality management method was very popular in Japan, especially in the manufacturing industry. ITOKI Kosakusho Co., Ltd. introduced TQC, which is the foundation of TQM, in 1982, and committed itself to implementing comprehensive quality management from product planning and designing to manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service. In 1989, its performance was recognized, and the company was awarded the Deming Prize, which is bestowed on a company that achieves a considerable business improvement through comprehensive quality management. Our corporate activities to prioritize high quality and our efforts to satisfy our customers were highly evaluated.

1990-1999Beyond the 100th anniversary of its foundation, ITOKI aspires to create offices of the 21st century

1990

Kevin Roche lecture presentation was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Company's foundation.

A lecture presentation by Mr. Kevin Roche was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Company's foundation.

On December 10, 1989, ITOKI celebrated the 100th anniversary of its foundation. Ahead of this important event, we opened Osaka New Office Gallery to introduce a vivid office environment. Furthermore, in August 1990, we opened a museum on the second floor of the so-called Hirani Building in 2-chome Hirano - machi where ITOKI originated. ITOKI's catalogues and unique products such as Zeniaiki cash registers of early years were displayed in this museum. These products conveyed ITOKI's unchanging corporate philosophy since its foundation. In the celebration of its 100th anniversary, ITOKI showcased its presence as a pioneer in office creation by proposing new office designs in various forms. As part of these activities, ITOKI hosted a lecture presentation by Mr. Kevin Roche, who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the architectural industry.

We announced the ITOKI New Color Program.

Until the mid-1980s, form and functions were prioritized in office designs. Then colors started being recognized as another important design element. Against this backdrop, ITOKI entered into a contract with CDM (Castelli Design Milano), which is presided over by Mr. Clino Castelli, who developed color systems for automobile manufacturers. ITOKI announced the ITOKI New Color System with three major elements of colors, materials, and finish, in office furniture. In 1990, ITOKI held a lecture presentation by Mr. Castelli and displayed Assort Line, Vertebra Chair, and Thin Line Cabinet, highlighting ITOKI's strength in color selections.

We exhibited Orgatech at the International Office Furniture Trade Fair. ITOKI Corporation was listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange.

Australia Representative Office established ( - 1993)

1992

Itoki Kosakush Co., Ltd. was renamed Itoki Crebio Corporation. A chair manufacturing plant was completed in Shiga. A new head office building was completed. Itoki Hawaiian Ladies Open was held.

The Ameria Chair was released.

Ameria Chair

1994

ITOKI entered an alliance with Irwin Seating Company and started import sales of theater and stadium seats. ITOKI won the TPM Excellence Award (Category A).

The Free Access Floor LAF-S500 was released.

Free Access Floor LAF-S500

1995

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck.

"Safety Office" was published.

1996

We established a vibration testing laboratory.

Products released in 1996

Aero Master
CZ Desk
FZ Panel

1997

We formed a technical partnership with the German company Waldner to develop laboratory facility equipment.

1998

We obtained ISO 9001 and 14001 certification for four divisions and two sites. ISO 9001 certification was obtained for the Product Management Division.*2

1999

The panel manufacturing plant was built in Osaka. *1 We obtained ISO 14001 certification for the Operations Division.

The Ud&Eco style magazine was published. *2

We started a PR magazine "Ud & Eco style".

As part of ITOKI's continual efforts to enlighten the public with its office theories from diversified standpoints, ITOKI started publishing "OFFICE LIFE" in 1974 and "OFFICE AGE" in 1987. In 1999, we also started publishing "Ud & Eco style" to disseminate our concepts for the 21st century to create an environment where humans play the main roles. In the first issue, we asked Ms. Iren Ostrov, who was one of the advocates of the " seven principles of universal design, " to contribute an article. ITOKI had published 19 issues by June 2009, providing the latest information of universal designs and eco designs.

Ud & Eco style: Ud (Universal Design) and Eco (Ecological Design) are combined to form this coined word that expresses striving towards achieving a sustainable society where people can grow together.

Products released in 1996

TRINO Chair
Comnet Table

*ISO-related marks
*1 : Former Itoki Crebio Corporation
*2 : Former Itoki Co., Ltd.

2000-Universal Design & Ecology style is a message from Itoki to the future

2000

We established our corporate environmental policy. The Internet sales business commenced. A maintenance company, Itoki Technical Service Corporation, was established.

New York Representative Office established ( - 2008)

2001

We obtained ISO 14001 certification for the entire Company. *1 We also obtained ISO 9001 certification for all business offices. *1

The Momotaro was released

Momotaro

2002

ISA (Suzhou) Store Fixture Co., Ltd（currently Novo Workstyle）. was established as a joint venture in China. We entered the welfare care business. We obtained management control of Timec Corporation. ISO 14001 certification was obtained for the whole Company.*2

Beijing Representative Office established ( - 2008)

2003

ITOKI exhibited its products at the REHACare 2003 international rehabilitation and care trade show. A commercial facility business company, Itoki Market Space Inc., was established.

Seoul Representative Office established ( - 2005)

2004

ITOKI obtained management control of ISA (Suzhou) Store Fixture Co., Ltd. Itoki Eco Branding Co., Ltd. was established. We exhibited our products at Orgatec 2004, an international office furniture trade fair.

ISA (Suzhou) Store Fixture Co., Ltd. renamed to Itoki (Suzhou) Furniture Co., Ltd.

Products released in 2004

Infuse
Glass Partition X

2005

Itoki Crebio Corporation and Itoki Co., Ltd. merged to form Itoki Corporation on June 1.

ITOKI Crebio Corporation and ITOKI Co., Ltd. merged to form Itoki Corporation.

ITOKI began its business as Itoki Syoten in Osaka in 1890. In 1908, it opened the Engineering Department as a manufacturing section, and this department started its own independent business as ITOKI Kosakusho Co., Ltd. in 1950. In later years, this company manufactured office equipment and steel furniture as Itoki Crebio Corporation, and the Sales Department ran its business as ITOKI Co., Ltd. In 2005, these two companies merged to form the new Itoki Corporation with its spirit of moving ahead of the times in the pursuit of sensational value.

The Shiga Logistics Center was established. We obtained ISO 14001 certification for manufacturing and sales.

Itoki (Shanghai) Corporation was established as a local subsidiary in China. We exhibited our products at the Orgatec 2006 international office furniture trade fair.

The Tacit Chair was released.

Tacit Chair

2006

Itoki (Shanghai) Corporation (Shanghai overseas subsidiary) established.

The Interlink was released.

Interlink

2007

Spina Chair won the Gold Prize of the Good Design Awards 2007 in Japan.

Itoki (Shanghai) Corporation Beijing branch established

Itoki Thailand (Thai overseas subsidiary) established ( - 2016)

Products released in 2007

Spina Chair
Cassico Chair

2008

ITOKI established an alliance with Orangebox and started selling the Spina Chair on the overseas market.

ITOKI DESIGN CORPORATION was established as a local subsidiary in the U.S. Our LAN sheet won the Gold Prize of the Good Design Awards 2008 in Japan.

Our LAN Sheet won Good Design Gold Awards.

The Good Design Award is known as Japan's only award to implement comprehensive evaluation and recommendation of product designs in a variety of fields. ITOKI's Spina Chair won the Gold Award in 2007, and its LAN Sheet won the same award in 2008. High marks were given for Spina Chair's new mechanism to make the chair comfortable and its fin structure with elastomer resin. LAN Sheet's advanced "two-dimensional communication" concept and futuristic design were also evaluated highly, confirming ITOKI's strong product development capabilities.

The LAN Sheet was released.

LAN Sheet

2009

A panel manufacturing plant was established in Chiba.

New York Representative Office changed name to Itoki Design Company ( - 2011)

Products released in 2009

Epios Chair
Torte Chair

2010

ITOKI celebrated the 120th anniversary of its foundation.
We formed a capital and business alliance with Dalton Corporation.
ITOKI's carbon offset model was introduced by the Ministry of the Environment.

Products released in 2010

Vento Chair
Econifa

2011

ITOKI introduced the carbon footprint into the office product.
"joyten"

Products released in 2011

Coser Chair
Core & Cell

2012

The energy-saving comfort lighting system, "Ectal," won the Energy-Saving Lighting Design Award 2011 (hosted by the Ministry of the Environment).
Our carbon offset project with the use of Spina won the Award for Excellence of the 1st Carbon Offset Grand Prize.

ITOKI Tokyo Innovation Center SYNQA was opened.

Winner of the Good Design Best 100 Award "cacomi"

Itoki Design Company changed name to Itoki Corporation NY Design Branch

Products released in 2011

f chair
MOVU Chair

INSTATE

Cacomi

2013

Shaw Contract Group 2013 Design is... Award GLOBAL WINNER, "SYNQA"

Itoki Systems (Singapore) Jakarta Representative Office established

The INSALATA was released.

INSALATA

2014

Third Smart Life Project Award
Workcise, recipient of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award for Outstanding Performance

2015

ITOKI MODERNFORM CO., LTD.--a joint venture company--was founded in Thailand.
Itoki celebrated its 125th anniversary.

2016

The eS Cabinet won the Good Design Best 100 award.
The Simple Cash Register "Zeni-ai-ki" is certified as a piece of Japanese Mechanical Engineering Heritage.

Tarkus Interiors Pte. Ltd (Singapore) became a subsidiary.

2017

The FLIP FLAP Chair won both gold in the iF Design Awards 2017 and the Red Dot Design Award 2017.

The FLIP FLAP Chair released on the market in 2016 won numerous international design awards. The iF Design Award is an internationally prestigious design award conferred annually since 1953 by iF Industrie Forum Design Hannover, an international design promotion organization based in Hanover, Germany. The FLIP FLAP Chair won the top-ranking gold award in the product design category. The Red Dot Design Award is an international product design award sponsored by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany. With a focus on the concept and the innovative and original design of the FLIP FLAP Chair, Itoki's advanced product development capabilities and design expertise have been highly acclaimed throughout the world.

Itoki is recognized under the Health & Productivity Management Organization Recognition Program (White 500).

Novo Workstyle Asia Limited (Hong Kong overseas subsidiary) established

Shanghai Allbest Furniture Company became a subsidiary

Business partnership with UB Office Systems Inc.

2018

The new Tokyo head office, ITOKI TOKYO XORK, is opened.

Bringing the concept of "We Design Tomorrow. We Design WORK-Style." to Nihonbashi.

ITOKI TOKYO XORK

Itoki consolidated its Tokyo offices in fall 2018 into a new head office in Nihonbashi named "ITOKI TOKYO XORK." As a symbol of the continuing evolution of "WORK" at Itoki, the letter "W" in the name was replaced with the next letter in the alphabet, "X." Adopting the comprehensive ABW work-style strategy designed to bring out the best in worker abilities, and with a focus on the health and comfort of workers through the adoption of the WELL Building Standard™ evaluation system for buildings and indoor environments, ITOKI TOKYO XORK is the ideal setting for implementing Itoki's next-generation "WORK-style." The new head office provides Itoki an opportunity to test new work-style approaches and to share the various gained knowledge and experiences with society.

GlobalTreehouse is established.

2019

The Sequa Chair won the iF Design Award 2019.
The QuA Chair won the Red Dot Design Award 2019.