100 Years of Hitachi
Duration: Fri, 01 Jan 2010 to Fri, 31 Dec 2010
Moving into the next 100 years with reliable technology
This year truly marks a milestone for Hitachi, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company's founding.
Toward the end of the Meiji period, Namihei Odaira, who later became the founder of Hitachi, was repairing electric motors and transformers in a humble corner hut at the Hitachi Mine. At the age of 28, together with five fellow workers, he began developing motors using original technology with a goal of contributing to the advancement of the Japanese machinery industry.
Then, in the spring of 1910, Odaira completed work on a five-horsepower induction motor, which became Hitachi's first product. In November of that year, he constructed a new factory to manufacture electric machinery at Miyata Shibauchi (now Shirogane-cho, Hitachi City) in Ibaraki Prefecture. This was the first step in the birth of Hitachi.
During the past 100 years, under the corporate philosophy of "contributing to society through the development of superior, original technology and products," Hitachi has been dedicated to the manufacturing of reliable products. As Hitachi grew, it expanded its areas of business expertise to include developing and manufacturing infrastructural equipment that provides the underpinning of Japanese society, such as power generation equipment, industrial machinery, railway equipment, and building equipment. Furthermore, it has diversified into the fields of home electronics and computers; products that provide the foundation for modern home living and corporate activities. As such, all of Hitachi's employees, including approximately 400,000 people around the world, do their best, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to embody the Hitachi founding spirit as expressed in the words of "Harmony," "Sincerity" and "Pioneering spirit."
Over the last century, with the support from so many stakeholders, industrial technology throughout the world there has been significant and ground-breaking progress. As a result, the world around us has changed considerably as well. In the past 100 years, our global society has experienced major positive advances in our lives, including breakthroughs in science and technology, the expansion of global economic activities, and the development of diversified cultures. Conversely, new and challenging issues have been unfolding at unprecedented levels, which have unfortunately threatened every part of our planet. These include global warming, the depletion of resources and energy, regional disparities in various parts of the world as well as the global recession. Hitachi has also been tackling its own challenges in this dramatically changing world. During our 100 year history, Hitachi has often tackled and overcome challenges together with a diverse range of stakeholders.
In 2010, Hitachi will contribute to the development of societies in countries around the world by strengthening the Social Innovation Business on a global scale. We will also strengthen our business from three perspectives: "Fusing information and telecommunications systems and power and industrial systems"; "Transforming Hitachi into a truly global company"; and "Expanding the Environmental Business." We are supported in this challenge, based on the fundamentals of effectively "utilizing and energizing our employees", who are among the most talented people in their fields, and "leveraging their expertise to the fullest", while increasing our competitive edge in innovations and new technologies". Hitachi is aiming to make great leaps forward in various fields. We will continue to breathe new life into the next generation.
We sincerely and respectfully request your ongoing support as well as your confidence and loyalty in the future of Hitachi.
April 2010
Takashi Kawamura
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hiroaki Nakanishi
President
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