1890

Inabata Senryoten established as an importer of dyestuffs in Kyoto

Inabata Senryoten

1891

"IK" becomes official company logo

1893

Inabata Senryoten renamed as Inabata Shoten

1894

Opening of representative office in Tokyo heralds the first expansion into the Kanto region of an Osaka-based dyestuffs business

Tokyo Representative Office

1895

Katsutaro Inabata establishes Muslin Boshoku company with other founding members

Katsutaro Inabata established Muslin Boshoku with other founding members in Osaka to begin domestic production of muslin, a thin and light yet warm wool fabric which at the time was being purchased in large quantities for use in women’s kimonos. The following year, in 1896, Katsutaro Inabata set off for France on his own initiative to research spinning and weaving technology and purchase machinery and equipment. In France, he managed to acquire Muslin production methods before returning to Japan and considered the spinning and weaving machines manufactured by Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques in France to be the best, which led to business between the two companies.

1897

Katsutaro Inabata returns to Japan from France with a cinematograph, the first motion-picture camera

Inabata Shoten presents Japan's first cinema shows – For a period of two weeks beginning on February 15, 1897, Inabata Shoten presented Japan's first cinema shows at the Nanchi Enbujo Theater, located in the Namba district of Osaka, using the cinematograph. A newspaper at the time wrote, "The audience was surprised and amazed by the moving picture." While in France, Katsutaro Inabata attended school together with elder of the Lumiere brothers, the inventors of the cinematograph. Katsutaro met him again while on business in France for Muslin Boshoku Seeing the cinematograph for the first time, Katsutaro decided to bring the invention back to Japan to introduce advances in Western culture to the country.

Inabata Dye House established

Inabata Dye House – Inabata Dye House was established in Osaka in May of 1897 to launch a dye processing business using state-of-the-art techniques. The maroon color developed by Inabata Dye House was called Inabata-zome and was widely used for girls' school uniforms and "hakama"- style skirts for women from the middle of the Meiji period. In addition, an original khaki color was adopted by the Japanese military forces for camouflage uniforms on the battlefield.

Head office moves to Osaka (current location of the Osaka Head Office). Kyoto location becomes branch office

Osaka Head Office

1908

Toka Yoko is established in Tianjin, China, which served as Inabata Shoten's representative office in Tianjin for developing markets (closed in 1922)

1918

The company is incorporated as Inabata Shoten (Inabata & Co., Ltd.)

1922

Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry appoints Katsutaro Inabata as its 10th president. He remains in the post until 1934

1926

Katsutaro Inabata assumes the presidency of The Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

The Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd. – In 1916, The Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Nippon Senryo Seizo company) was established with the aim of encouraging the domestic production of synthetic dyes since Japan relied heavily on imports of the product at the time. Katsutaro Inabata was involved in the establishment of this company, becoming the firm's auditor and then president. The company would later be privatized, and, through aggressive management, contributed to the proliferation of domestic dyes. In addition, the company expanded operations to include chemicals and pharmaceuticals. However, as a result of national policies related to World War II, Japan Dyestuff merged with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. in July of 1944. Even after the merger, all special business agreements with Inabata remained unchanged. As a result, Inabata became the specified agent of Sumitomo Chemical for products produced by Japan Dyestuff prior to the merger. This marked the beginning of the close relationship between Sumitomo Chemical and Inabata.

1930

Representative office opens in Nagoya

New Tokyo branch office completed (the original office building was destroyed by fire during the Great Kanto Earthquake)

1935

Ownership of Inabata Dye House transferred to Toyobo Co., Ltd.

1937

Taro Inabata becomes the second president of Inabata

Representative office opens in Brussels

1939

Representative offices open in Shanghai and Tianjin (China)

1940

Representative offices open in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia), Seoul (Korea), and Qingdao and Fengtian (China)

1943

"Inabata Sangyo" becomes the Japanese company name.

Representative office opens in Yogyakarta

1944

Nippon Senryo merges into Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Inabata & Co., Ltd. becomes the exclusive distributor of dyestuffs, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals for Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

1946

The dyestuffs business is restored due to the abolition of regulations in effect during World War II

Inabata Senryo catalog

1949

Started handling vinyl chloride resin of US-based Monsanto (now Monsanto Company Inc.)

1954

New Osaka Head Office completed (original office building was destroyed by fire during the war)

1959

Resumes business with the French firm Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques for weaving machinery

Imports polypropylene for the first time in Japan

Demand for polypropylene—a visit to Montecatini – Industrialization of polypropylene, an all-purpose resin similar to wool and looked to as the ultimate fiber, began in 1957 by the Italian firm Montecatini (later Montedison), located in Milan. Having quickly learned of this, President Taro Inabata and Managing Executive Officer Susumu Ogawa visited Montecatini in 1957, which led to the conclusion of a provisional import contract. Polypropylene was imported into Japan by Inabata for the first time in 1959.

1961

Stock listed on Second Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange

As a result of business expansion in the plastics sector, the Plastics Department becomes independent from the Chemicals Department

1962

Stock listed on Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

1963

The number of company products, including plywood and decorative polyester panels, increases. As a result, the Housing Materials Department becomes independent of the Chemicals Department

1966

Pharmaceuticals Division expands its business by enhancing its structure

1969

Hideo Ito becomes the third president of Inabata

1970

Dyestuffs, Chemicals, Plastics, Machinery, General Affairs and Personnel departments upgraded to divisions

1972

Katsuo Inabata becomes the fourth president of Inabata

1973

Listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange

Katsuo Inabata is appointed as Osaka's honorary consul to Portugal

1974

Building Materials Division established

Liaison office opens in Singapore

1975

Foodstuffs Department set up within Chemicals Division

1976

Inabata Singapore (Pte.) Ltd. set up to become the first overseas office after World War II

1977

Food Department becomes independent of the Chemicals Division

1978

Resin compound manufacturer Sanyo-IK Color (Pte.) Ltd. is established in Singapore as a joint venture by Inabata and Sanyo Kako Co. Ltd.

Inabata America Corp. launched in New York

1979

Overseas Division established

1983

Tokyo branch office becomes Tokyo Head Office

Machinery and Electronics Materials Division set up

1984

Pharmaceuticals Division separated, Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (now Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) established as a joint venture with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

NBF Co., Ltd. set up to market supplements

1986

Semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer Shinano Electronics Co., Ltd. is established

1987

Siam Inabata Co., Ltd. (now Inabata Thai Co., Ltd.) established in Thailand

Resin compound manufacturer SIK (Thailand) Ltd. is established in suburban Bangkok

Plastic molding and processing company I & P Co., Ltd. is established

SIK (Thailand) Ltd.

1988

Inabata Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. established in Kuala Lumpur

Glass substrate cutting and etching processing company Musashino Fine Glass, Co. Ltd. is established

Food Division established

Inabata Sangyo (H.K.) Ltd. established in Hong Kong

Inabata Europe S.A. established in Brussels

1989

Printer paper feed equipment manufacturing and sales company IK Precision Co., Ltd. is established in Telford (UK)

Inabata Senshoku Giken company (now Inabata Fine Tech & Co., Ltd.), a laboratory contract business concentrating on dyeing and finishing, is established

Resin compound manufacturer S-IK Color Philippines Inc. is established in Manila

Taiwan Inabata Sangyo Co., Ltd. established in Taiwan

Resin compound manufacturer Colour Compound (M) Sdn. Bhd. is established on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

1990

Inabata France S.A.R.L. (now Inabata France S.A.S.) established in Paris

Inabata celebrates its 100th anniversary

Inabata plays a central role in promoting construction project and fund raising for the construction of Villa Kujoyama, a facility designed to promote French-Japanese exchange in Kyoto (completed November 1992) as an anniversary commemoration activity.
Company founder Katsutaro Inabata studied about the dyeing industry in Lyon, France, as a student under a program sponsored by the Kyoto Prefectural Government. After he spent eight years in France studying dyeing techniques, Inabata continued a long relationship with the country.

New Osaka Head Office completed

Inflation film manufacturer Apple Film Co., Ltd. is established on the outskirts of Bangkok (Thailand)

100th Anniversary

New Osaka Head Office

Apple Film Co.,Ltd.

1991

PT. Inabata Indonesia established in Jakarta

1993

Inabata Kaseihin Co., Ltd. (now Inabata Fine Tech & Co., Ltd.) established

1994

Resin compound manufacturer S-IK Color (M) Sdn. Bhd. established in Johor, Malaysia

Katsuo Inabata becomes chairman of Sociedade Luso-Niponica de Osaka

Sociedade Luso-Niponica de Osaka – 1993 marked 450 years of friendship between Japan and Portugal since the introduction of guns to Japan in 1543. This anniversary served as a step in the establishment of Sociedade Luso-Niponica de Osaka by Katsuo Inabata, Osaka's honorary consul to Portugal, on November 14, 1994 in an effort to promote international exchange between the two countries.

1995

Resin compound manufacturer PT. S-IK Indonesia established on the outskirts of Jakarta

Sanyo-IK Color (H.K.) Ltd., established in Guangdong, China

Resin compound manufacturer Sanyo-IK Color (H.K.) Ltd. (now Sanyo-IK Color (DG) Ltd.) established in Dongguan (China)

Dye and dyeing auxiliaries technology information and analysis data provider Shanghai Scheco-Inabata Dyestuff Research&Application Center Co., Ltd.

PT. S-IK Indonesia

1996

Shanghai Inabata Trading Co., Ltd. established in China

General stationery manufacturer KOKUYO-IK (Thailand) Co., Ltd. established in Samutprakarn together with KOKUYO Co., Ltd.

1997

Rubber and silicon molding and processing company Hi-Tech Rubber Products Co., Ltd. established in Ayutthaya (Thailand)

1998

Inabata Philippines, Inc. established in Manila

Takeo Inabata becomes the fifth president of Inabata

1999

Business reorganized to IT & Electronics, Housing Materials, Chemicals, Plastics, and Food segments

2000

Inabata UK Ltd. established in London

In commemoration of the company's 110th anniversary, Inabata donates 20 million yen through Tokyo Rotary Club to assist a project to eliminate landmines in Cambodia

Inabata certified ISO 14001 (environment management system)

2001

SC-IK Technology Co., Ltd. set up in Taiwan with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. to manufacture polarizing films for liquid crystal displays

High purity gallium refining business Shanghai Sumika High Purity Metal Ltd. is established in a joint venture with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. in Shanghai (China)

Plastic molding and processing company IK Precision de Mexico, S.A.de C.V. is established in Juarez (Mexico)

2002

Inabata Industry & Trade (Dalian F.T.Z.) Co., Ltd. established in China

Inabata acquires the rights for the manufacture and sale of LED encapsulant from Henkel Japan Ltd.

Seafood sales company DNI Group, LLC is established in Novato, California

LED encapsulant

2003

SIK Vietnam Co., Ltd. established in Hai Phong, Vietnam

Inabata introduces executive officer system

SIK Vietnam Co., Ltd

2004

Resin compound manufacturer Dongguan Sanyo IK Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd. established in Dongguan (China)

Tianjin Inabata Trading Co., Ltd. established in Tianjin (China)

2005

Inabata certified ISO 9001

Guangzhou Inabata Trading Co., Ltd. established in Guangzhou (China)

Nobel NC Co., Ltd. established in Thailand

Katsutaro Inabata becomes the sixth president of Inabata

Nobel NC Co., Ltd

2006

Pharmasynthese S.A.S. established after acquiring Ardea Group, which was a manufacturer of fine chemicals in France.

Inabata Korea & Co., Ltd. established in Seoul

Inabata Poland Sp. Z o. o. established in Torun, Poland

Pharmasynthese S.A.S.

2007

Dye business transferred to the newly established Inabata Fine Tech & Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Inabata Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. established in Shanghai

Shanghai Inabata
Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.

2008

NH Inabata, S. de R.L. de C.V. established in Mexico to market overhead travelling cranes

Inabata Vietnam Co., Ltd. established in Hanoi

Inabata India Private Ltd. established in New Delhi

2009

IK Tech de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. established in Tijuana to process FPD components

PT. Inabata Creation Indonesia established in Jakarta (suburb) to process grip tapes

Grip tapes

2010

New Management Philosophy, "Mission," "Vision," "IK Values," are established to coincide with Inabata's 120th anniversary

2012

Business reorganized to Information & Electronics, Chemicals, Life Industry, Plastics, and Housing & Eco Materials segments

Inabata Mexico, S.A. de C.V. and IK Plastic Compound Mexico, S.A. de C.V. established

2013

Inabata Thai Co., Ltd. Yangon Branch set up in Myanmar

Inabata Singapore (Pte.) Ltd., Turkey Istanbul Representative Office established in Turkey

IK Plastic Compound Phils. Inc. set up in Philippines

Inabata Brazil Import & Export Ltd. established in Sao Paulo

Apple Film Da Nang Co., Ltd. set up in Vietnam

Inabata Europe GmbH established in Germany

2015

Inabata Europe GmbH Middle East (Branch) established in Dubai

2019

Reorganizes business domain into four areas: Information & Electronics, Chemicals, Life Industry, and Plastics

2022

Transitioned to the Prime Market due to the market restructuring of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Inabata Australia Pty. Ltd. established in Australia

2023

Inabata Europe GmbH, Czech Branch established in Czech Republic