MARUBUN CORPORATE

About MARUBUN Corporate History

∨1844～1939 　　∨1940～1959 　　∨1960～1979　　∨1980～1999　　∨2000～Now

■1844～1939

1844	Started its history as a fabric and textile wholesaler “Horikoshi” with a shop name of “Marubun” at the site of the present company headquarters, its business covering export of silk threads and import of Western textiles. The founder, Kakujiro Horikoshi was deeply involved in the founding of Keio University by Yukichi Fukuzawa and the establishment of the Yokohama Specie Bank (later the Bank of Tokyo, Ltd., current the MUFG Bank, Ltd.) under the leadership of the then Ministry of Finance.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　※Photo courtesy of Keio Fukuzawa Research Center	Kakujiro Horikoshi Marubun office building at the time of foundation
1897	The fabric and textile wholesale business discontinued; established Horikoshi Office to manage the property. The company made social contributions, including relief for victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake, ongoing donations to the university, and support for companies that contribute to the development of the nation.
1928	Established The Horikoshi Company as a limited partnership to preserve the property.

■1940～1959

1946	Established Nakazen Trading Company for the purpose of selling machinery, equipment and daily sundries.	Marubun at the time of its foundation Tape Recorder by Sony Corp.
1947	Established Marubun Corporation Established Marubun Corporation merged with The Horikoshi Company and Nakazen Trading Company, capitalized at ¥ 7.03 million.
1948	Started business as an exporter and importer mainly of machinery equipments and daily goods.
1949	Founded Marusen Corporation as a 50-50 joint venture with Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Corporation. (current of Sony Corporation)
1952	Reached agreement with Rocke International, Inc. and began import and sales of U.S.-made equipment in Japan. To start importing cutting-edge electronics equipment and takes its first steps as an electronics trading company.
1957	Reached distributorship agreement with Ampex Corporation and began handling measuring equipment. Subsequently, expanding business to import and sales of foreign products including aerospace, optical and analysis equipment in Japan.
1958	Established a technology department in the head office and started technical service operations for imported equipment. Began handling transistors and diodes.

■1960～1979

1961	Established Kanazawa Branch Office as an independent company Marubun Kanazawa Co., Ltd. (current Marubun Tsusyo Co., Ltd.) In order to develop community-based sales activities, Marubun Kanazawa Co., Ltd. (currently Marubun Tsusyo Co., Ltd.) was established.	First to import and sell integrated circuits in Japan Marubun Electronics Show Held to Commemorate 125th Anniversary Became the only trading company to participate in the first launch project of the N-I Rocket Project of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (current JAXA)
1964	Started handling aeronautics/space equipment and laser equipment.
1965	Became the first company in Japan to import and sell integrated circuits. Marubun was the first to import and sell integrated circuits in Japan (the beginning of the Electronic devices business). The company then aggressively expanded its product lineup, and by 1984, integrated circuits accounted for more than 50% of its sales.
1967	Started operations industrial and analytical equipment.
1968	Established a representative office in the U.S. (later becoming an overseas affiliate)
1969	Established the IC Group which specializes in sales of semiconductors.
1970	Held “Marubun Electronics Show” to commemorate the 125th anniversary since Company founding. With the cooperation of overseas manufacturers, the company organized a large-scale electronics show. This show helped the company establish itself as an importer of advanced equipment in Japan.
1975	Became the only trading company to participate in the first launch project of the N-I Rocket Project of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (current JAXA)

■1980～1999

1980	Contracted with Texas Instruments Japan Ltd. to serve as their sales representative.	Listed on the 2nd Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Merged with Arrow to form Marubun/Arrow Asia, Ltd.
1982	Contracted with Seiko Epson Corp. to serve as their sales representative Became the world’s first trading company to handle foundry business.
1983	Established American representative office as an independent company Marubun USA Corporation.
1984	Started to do business with Motorola Japan Ltd., expanding business in semiconductor products.
1985	Established Minamisuna Logistics Center to enhance logistics capability.
1988	Established Marubun Electronics (S) Pte. Ltd. and began expanding business in Asia. Following the U.S., the company has begun to expand into the Asian region.
1989	Established Marubun Taiwan, Inc.
1990	Yoshio Horikoshi, then Chairman of the Board of Directors, is awarded the fourth degree of the Order of the British Empire. For his contribution to the importation of British products over the years, he was awarded the Fourth Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
1994	Established Marubun Hong Kong Ltd.
1997	Listed on the 2nd Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Established the Marubun Research Promotion Foundation. Begins active involvement in social contribution activities. Through the foundation, we support exchange research between young researchers in Japan and overseas in the field of industrial technology, and award researchers who have conducted or are conducting outstanding research that is expected to make the greatest contribution to the advancement of science and technology and to the improvement of creative industrial technology.
1998	Established Marubun/Arrow Asia, Ltd. Marubun/Arrow Asia, Ltd. was established as a 50-50 joint venture with Arrow Electronics, Inc. of the United States, one of the world’s largest semiconductor trading companies. Since then, Marubun has been promoting business expansion in Asia and North America through the joint venture with Arrow.
1999	Established Marubun/Arrow USA, LLC Foresight Techno Co., Ltd. established as a joint venture with Mitsuiwa Shoji Co(current Mitsuiwa Corporation). A new company was established to strengthen the engineering support capabilities of the Electronic systems business. Currently, the company provides diverse services including product customization, installation, maintenance, repair, and calibration.

■2000～Now

2001	Listed on the 1st Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Acquired ISO 14001 Certificate. Established Marubun Arrow (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Established Marubun/Arrow (Phils) Inc.	Current Marubun Building Transitioned to the prime market and began operations in three business segments.
2002	Established Marubun/Arrow (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
2005	Kobe Branch is spun off as an independent company, Marubun West Corporation is established. Expanding business in western Japan as a trading company specializing in testing, analytical, measuring, and scientific equipment.
2006	Established Marubun Arrow (M) SDN BHD.
2007	Acquired ISO 9001 Certificate.
2008	Acquired the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) exporter as an electronics trading company for the first time
2013	Marubun Tsusyo Co.,Ltd. made Hokushinrika Corporation, which sells scientific equipments, a subsidiary.（2019 Merger with Marubun Tsusyo Co.,Ltd.） Established Marubun/Arrow (Shenzhen) Electronic Product Consulting Co.,Ltd. Established PT. Marubun Arrow Indonesia.
2014	Established Marubun-Arrow Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.
2015	Marubun Tsusyo Co.,Ltd. made Ikeda Iryoudenki, Co. Ltd., which sells medical equipment, a subsidiary. (merged into Marubun Tsusyo Co.,Ltd in 2017)
2016	KTL Corporation, which sells semiconductor products, as a subsidiary (merged into Marubun Corporation in 2018).
2017	Established Marubun Arrow Europe Kft. in Hungary.
2022	Transfer from the 1st Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange to the Prime Market. Started operating with the three-business segment structure. Newly established the Electronic Solutions Business in addition to the Electronic Devices Business and the Electronic Systems Business.