A story of Fujikura begins in 1885 when Zenpachi and Tomekichi Fujikura could earn their first money on production of hair accessories, mainly silk and cotton insulated winding wires. Company’s staff was about 12 persons at that moment, including Zenpachi himself and his wife. The plant was also used as the house of the Fujikura family and occupied 60 m2.
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Elder brother Zenpachi Fujikura
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Younger brother Tomekichi Fujikura
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Once, during presentation of street ark light in Tokyo, Fujikura brothers, taken with electric light brightness, came up with the idea to shift their business from manufacturing hair accessories to electric wires. A big experience on silk braiding was a great advantage for them.
In 1890 a new factory in Sendagaya region was build.
It was the first plant in the history of Japan which manufactured rubber-insulated wires with the power of the watermill.
In 1901 the Company “Fujikura Electric Wire &Rubber Co”,
was founded.
In 1910 Fujikura Electric Wire Ltd. was organized to expand the scale of the electric wire business.
In 1923 a new plant was build in Fukagawa which was destructed on the same year by fire followed the Earthquake.
The electric wires in the inventory sold like hotcakes, providing the funds for the restoration.
In 1938 a son of Tomekichi Fujikura, Arata Matsumoto established two more Fujikura Companies.
Fujikura Kasei, Ltd –chemical industry
Fujikura Parashute Ltd –airplane industry
In 1945 due to Air Raid Fukagawa Plant was completely destroyed. A large number of victims were killed.
In spite of such a desaster, the Patriot spirit could unite the Company staff and it took a year to restore the Plant.
In 1953 a new plant is build in Numazu. The initial products of the plant were copper conductors, aluminum wires, rubber insulated wires and plastic wires, but the plant also became the birthplaces of many original Fujikura technologies.
In 1953 a new plant is build in Numazu. The initial products of the plant were copper conductors, aluminum wires, rubber insulated wires and plastic wires, but the plant also became the birthplaces of many original Fujikura technologies.
The 3rd plant in Sakura was put into operation in 1965. It was a period of high economic growth in Japan and Fujikura took part in many national telecom and electricity projects.
The 4th Suzuka plant began its work in 1970, it was built as an advanced CV cable plant.
In 1974 as anti-crisis measures in the period of 4th
Middle East War the company established two divisions, the Automotive Products Division and Overseas Divisions.
In 1977 the Company succeeded in developing the VAD process.
In 1984 the first Fujikura affiliate was created in Thailand.
In 1992 the Futtsu Plant was built in 1992 as a new base for manufacturing and development of power cables.
We commemorated the 120th Anniversary in 2005, which is an event of grate significancy.
Why so?
In Japan, 60 years was traditionally considered the normal human life span, and its achievement is still celebrated as a special occasion. In these terms, Fujikura has experienced the equivalent of 2 life cycles and is preparing to embark on its third.
