1919-2012
| History of the HOYA Group | (Formerly) Asahi Kogaku/PENTAX/ New Ceramics Business History | History of Japan Unitech Corporation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Established as Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. | ||
| 1944 | ■ August The plant was incorporated with a capital of 1.2 million yen. | ||
| 1945 | ■ October HOYA launched crystal products. | ||
| 1952 | ■ February Resumed production of BK7 optical glass. | Launched the first domestically-produced 35mm single-lens reflex camera, the Asahiflex I. | |
| 1954 | Launched the Asahiflex II, with a proprietary ‘quick return mirror’ mechanism. | ||
| 1957 | Launched the Asahi Pentax, a single-lens reflex camera featuring a pentaprism. | ||
| 1960 | ■ November Established Showa Plant at Akishima City, Tokyo (currently Akishima Plant). | ||
| 1961 | ■ October HOYA was listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. | ||
| 1962 | ■ May Started manufacturing lenses for eyeglasses. | ||
| 1964 | Launched the Asahi Pentax SP, a single-lens reflex camera featuring TTL metering. | ||
| 1967 | ■ April Launched progressive multifocal lenses. | Opened the first camera museum among Japanese manufacturers in Nishiazabu, Tokyo (now closed). | |
| 1968 | Established a plant in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. | ||
| 1969 | Launched medium format single-lens reflex cameras. | ||
| 1971 | PENTAX was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. | ||
| 1972 | ■ December HOYA started sales of soft contact lenses. | ||
| 1973 | ■ February The Company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchanges. |
View history from 1974 to 2012
| History of the HOYA Group | (Formerly) Asahi Kogaku/PENTAX/ New Ceramics Business History | History of Japan Unitech Corporation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | ■ January Nagasaka Plant (Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture) was established. HOYA started manufacturing mask substrates for semiconductors and announced the HOYA Online System (for ordering and receiving eyeglass lenses). | ■ October Started research on apatite ceramics. | |
| 1977 | ■ March Started research into the practical application of apatite ceramics, which was commissioned by the New Technology Development Corporation. | ||
| 1983 | ■ January Established Hachioji Plant (Hachioji City, Tokyo) and started manufacturing photomasks for semiconductors. | ||
| 1984 | ■ March Launched Japan’s first apatite bone replacement material, Apaceram Artificial Ear Ossicles and Bone Replacement Material. | ||
| 1985 | ■ July Japan’s first apatite bone replacement material, “Apaceram Artificial Ear Bone and Bone Replacement Material,” has been launched. | ||
| 1986 | ■ October Established R&D Center building in Akishima. | ■ April Launched liquid chromatography columns. | |
| 1987 | ■ June Launched intraocular lenses (IOLs) as well as aspherical molded-glass lenses. | ||
| 1989 | ■ April: | ■ April Launched columns for cell separation. | |
| 1991 | ■ March Launched glass disks for HDDs. | ■ December Launched the mask “Virus Guard.” | |
| 1992 | ■ January Obtained Ministry of Health approval for manufacturing the thoracolumbar plate ‘MH Plate System.’ ■ April Launched foot sprays “Karen” and “ZETS.” ■ June Obtained Ministry of Health approval for manufacturing and launched the Apaceram Ventilation Tube, named Apaceram Tube. ■ September Launched the MH Plate System, a thoracolumbar spine plate. | ||
| 1993 | ■ May Launched the mask “Virus Guard E.” | ||
| 1994 | ■ September Launched toothpaste material “Green Wind.” ■ October Launched the mask “Virus Guard D.” | ||
| 1996 | ■ November Established a new Kumamoto plant in Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture. | ■ April Launched the wound dressing “Apatach Kizu-Ate-kun.” ■ October Launched the mask “Virus Guard 99.” | |
| 2000 | ■ August Mashiko plant started operation. | ■ September Japan Unitech was established at Shinjuku, Tokyo. | |
| 2001 | ■ May HOYA launched HOYALUX Summit Pro and NuLux lenses using EYRY, a high-index plastic lens material. ■ October HOYA started manufacturing soft intraocular lenses. | ■ April Launched the UNICORN nail implants, medical materials for femoral neck fractures. | |
| 2002 | ■ May HOYA started production and sales of 3C-SiC, a new semiconductor substrate material. | Its name changed to Pentax Co., Ltd. | ■ May Launched the Unitech CHS system. |
| 2003 | ■ April Launched the Surgical Deflecting Loupe, which can be used in a forward-facing posture. ■ June Launched the “CELLYARD” series of cell culture carriers. ■ September Launched the Dengue Virus IgM Antibody Detection Kit. | ||
| 2004 | ■ March Announced a basic agreement to acquire the biomaterials division of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. ■ October Pentax merged with the biomaterials division of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. The calcium phosphate paste “Biopex-R” was added to the product lineup, further expanding our business as an artificial bone manufacturer. | ■ September Started sales of the Unitech Tube Plate System. ■ October Started sales of the Unitech Distal Radius Plate System, “Stellar.” ■ November Opened the Niigata Sales Office. | |
| 2005 | ■ February Opened the Distribution and Techno Center in Warabi, Saitama. ■ April Opened the Fukuoka Sales Office. | ||
| 2006 | ■ December The company announced a basic agreement to integrate operations with PENTAX Corporation. | ■ June Launched Apaceram-AX, a bone graft material made of ultra-high porosity hydroxyapatite. | ■ April Opened the Osaka branch. |
| 2007 | ■ August New Ceramics Division started sales of ‘Surgical Deflecting Loupes. | ■ June ISO 13485 certification. ■December Started sales of advanced bipolar forceps (insulated type). | |
| 2008 | ■ March HOYA and PENTAX merged. The company further expanded its business as an optical manufacturer by adding the medical field such as endoscopes and the imaging field such as cameras and lens modules. | ■ November Relocated the head office to Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. | |
| 2009 | ■ September Launched Biopex-R Quick, a calcium phosphate bone paste that hardens rapidly after in vivo implantation. | ||
| 2010 | ■ July: | ||
| 2011 | ■ October: | ■ April Established the Uenohara Plant in Yamanashi Prefecture. ■ May Launched sales of the Unitech Stella II distal radius plate system. Launched the Unitech CHS System “ARHS.” ■ July Started sales of the Unitech CHS Systems, “Twins” and “Gemini.” | |
| 2012 | ■ May Acquired all issued shares of Japan Unitech Co., Ltd. | ■ July: ■ August: | ■ September Closed the Distribution and Techno Center. |
2013–present
| 2013 | ■ April: ■ October: | ■ February Started sales of a plate system for lower leg bones. ■ May Started sales of Unicorn Nail and 4.0/5.0 cannulated screw sets. ■ September Obtained a sales and lease license for highly controlled medical devices at the Uenohara Plant. |
| HOYA Technosurgical | |
|---|---|
| 2014 | ■ April Launched Biopex Long, a bone replacement material with extended working time. ■ October Launched β-TCP “SUPERPORE EX” with the highest strength ever achieved. Opened a branch office in Hiroshima. |
| 2015 | ■ March Launched the HTS Clavicle Plate System. ■ April Insurance reimbursement pricing applied to the Oblique Locking Hip Screw System. ■ May Launched BIOPEX Excellent, a bone replacement material that hardens and develops strength quickly after intravitreal implantation. ■ October Launched CRANIOFIT, a custom-made thin titanium alloy plate made by 3D laminated molding. |
| 2016 | ■ June Opened a branch office in Kanazawa. ■ November Launched “CranioFit-PE,” a custom-made artificial bone made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, known for its high toughness and resistance to breakage. Established the Distribution Center in Akishima City. |
| 2017 | ■ January Launched the Kepler model direct-view loupe “USYFITVUE SP1.” |
| 2018 | ■ November Launched the “PRISMVUE NF5,” a loupe with a temple bar. |
| 2019 | ■April: |
| 2020 | ■April: |
