Timeline
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- About KAI Group
- Timeline
KAI is founded when Saijiro Endo begins manufacturing folding knives.
- 1920
Established Joint-Stock Company Endo Cutlery Manufacturing Co. to produce folding knives.
- 1932
Established Seki Safety Razor Manufacturing Co. and began production of the first replaceable blade razor in Japan.
The post-war period begins.
Saijiro Endo II establishes Feather Co., Ltd.
- 1947
- Saijiro Endo Ⅱ established Feather Co., Ltd. in Nagoya and started wholesaling razors and cutlery.
- 1949
- KAI established its first trademark.
Based on the belief that “good quality for which we are responsible with our own mark”, the “Kaijirushi” mark was created.
- 1949
Established Joint-Stock Company Sanwa and Co. in Tokyo.
Saijiro Endo Ⅱ begins manufacturing disposable razors.
- 1951
Established Sanwa Blade Manufacturing and started production of KAI-branded lightweight, convenient long-bladed razors.
- 1954
Merged Feather and Sanwa to establish Sanwa Co., Ltd.
- 1956
- Set up a trade division inside the company to export cutlery.
- 1958
- Saijiro Endo, the first generation, was awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon for his “distinguished services to the development of domestic replacement blades”.
- 1959
- KAI built a new factory specialising in light razors (factory 2) and claw clippers (factory 3).
At the same time, we started manufacturing claw clippers.
- 1962
- KAI changed its second trademark from SHELL to kai as it expanded its business and pushed for international expansion.
- 1963
- The single-blade disposable razor 'Kaijirushi T-Shaped Gold' was launched.
KAI’s decade of progress.
- 1967
- Changed corporate name from Sanwa Co., Ltd. to Sanwa Cutlery Co., Ltd.
- 1968
- KAI introduced a third trademark for its 60th anniversary. It was renewed to the “KAI Cutlery” mark as a notation on all products.
- KAI completed construction of the Oyana plant, which aims to establish an integrated production system for disposable razors.
- KAI began production of the plastic-handled 'T-shaped razor' as disposable razors for hotels.
KAI razor vending machines are launched nationwide, mainly in hotels and inns.
- 1970
- KAI completed construction of its second plant in Oyana.
The company started manufacturing cutters.
- 1971
- Established Endo Cutlery Co., Ltd. and started production of kitchen knives.
- 1972
- The long-handled razor 'Beauty L' was launched as a series of luxury products for women.
- 1973
- Started production of scissors at Sanwa Cutlery mfg Co., Ltd.
- Launched the ES Series, the first kitchen knives manufactured in-house.
The product was selected for the 1989 G Mark and Long Life Design Award.
International expansion goes ahead with first overseas subsidiary.
- 1975
- KAI introduced a fourth trademark. With the intention of flying high both domestically and internationally, 'kai cut', a simplified version of the English name of 'KAI Cutlery', was added.
- 1977
- KAI Cutlery U.S.A. Ltd is established in Portland, Oregon.
- 1978
- Established Kai Cutlery (H.K.) Ltd.
- 1980
- Established Kai Cutlery (Europe) GmbH in Solingen, Germany.
- 1982
- Changed corporate name from Sanwa Cutlery Co., Ltd. to Kaijirushi Hamono Co., Ltd.
- 1984
- KAI established 'KAI Surgical Instruments Corporation' and started manufacturing medical instrument scalpels. Construction of the 'Senbiki Plant' was completed to manufacture replaceable blade and disposable razors. The Pretty Series, disposable razors for women, was launched.
- 1984
Started production of scalpels.
New corporate identity strengthens group management.
Third-generation CEO Koji Endo takes office.
- 1988
- Manufacturing and sales are integrated with the launch of a new KAI corporate identity and corporate logo.
- KAI has completed construction of its Tahara Plant, which manufactures scissors and claw clippers.
- 1989
President and CEO Koji Endo took office.
- 1989
-
Launched KAI K-Ⅱ, a blade-replaceable disposable razor.
- 1992
- Consolidated 6 manufacturing companies and changed the corporate name to Kai Industries Co., Ltd.
- 1994
The medical device 'Biopsy Trepan' was launched.
The following year, 1995, the 'Ophthalmic Scalpel' and 'Microtome Replacement Blades' were launched.
The world’s first triple-blade razor, K-3, is born.
KAI becomes a globally recognized brand.
- 1996
- Started local production of Kai USA Ltd. folding knives.
Shanghai Kai Cutlery Co., Ltd, the Asian production hub for razors and beauty products, goes into full-scale operation.
- 1998
- Launched K-3, the world's first replaceable 3-blade razor.
- 2000
- The high-end kitchen knife 'Shun' was launched.
As of October 2022, the total number of knives shipped reached 10 million.
- 2003
- The high-end sewing scissors '7000SEIRIES' was launched.
- 2005
- Michel BRAS kitchen knife series is launched in Europe and the USA in collaboration with the Michelin 3-star chef.
- 2007
- Established Kai Jirushi Korea Corp. in Korea.
- 2008
100th anniversary.
Established Kai R&D (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. in Guangdong, China.
Established Lampas Inc.
KAI heads into the future after 115 years of history.
- 2012
- Established Kai Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd.
- 2014
- First Japanese company to receive "Leonardo Da Vinci Award" from the Henokiens and the Château du Clos Lucé.
- 2015
- Established Kai France SARL.
- 2018
-
110th anniversary. / Completed New Oyana factory No.1 and expanded the surgical instrument factory.
- KAI expanded its medical equipment plant with the completion of the new Hutana No 1 plant.
- 2019
- KAI receives an IP Achievement Award from the Japan Patent Office.
- 2021
Koji Endo became Chairman and CEO.
Hiroaki Endo became President and COO.
- 2022
- Started sales of de-plasticized * razors, “paper razor™”.
- 2023
-
KAI Group celebrates its 115th anniversary. The KAI Group's corporate mission 'sharpness and gentleness' and philosophy system were renewed.
* 98% less plastic parts compared to conventional products.
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