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Company History

1936 - 1969: Starting out—entering the business machines field

Kiyoshi Ichimura

Feb. 6, 1936
Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd., formed to make and market sensitized paper.(until 1938)
Kiyoshi Ichimura appointed executive managing director.(until Jan. 11, 1946)
Mar. 1938
Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. renamed Riken Optical Co., Ltd. and starts production of optical devices and equipment.(until 1963)
Jan.12, 1946
Kiyoshi Ichimura appointed president (until Dec.16, 1968)

Ohmori Plant

Apr. 1953
Ohmori Plant opens in Ota-ku, Tokyo, through merger of affiliate companies Asahi Seimitsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Aiko Trading Co., Ltd.; camera manufacturing resumed.

Ricopy 101

Nov. 1955
Introduced Ricoh's first diazo copier, "Ricopy 101."

Ohkochi Memorial Production Prize

Jan. 1957
Establishes Japan's first mass-production system for cameras; awarded Ohkochi Memorial Production Prize for techniques to mass-produce cameras.
Jul. 1960
Sindo Koeki., Ltd. founded in Korea (renamed Sindo Ricoh Co., Ltd. in 1970).
Aug. 1960
Introduces the "RICOH OFFSET" duplicator, leading to low-cost high-volume copying in the office.
May 1961
Osaka Plant opens in Ikeda, Japan to manufacture sensitized paper.
Apr. 1962
Numazu Plant, Japan, formed. It features the world's first fully integrated production system of sensitized paper.

Ohmori Plant and General Research Laboratory

May 1962
Ohmori Plant and General Research Laboratory completed.
Nov. 1962
Introduces the "Ricoh Auto Half", a half frame camera that proves to be a massive hit
Dec. 1962
Founded Ricoh Industries, U.S.A., Inc.

Changes corporate name to Ricoh Company, Ltd

Apr. 1963
Changes corporate name to Ricoh Company, Ltd
Apr. 1963
Ricoh (Europe) S.A. established in Switzerland.( running until 1971)
Mar. 1965
Taiwan Ricoh Co., Ltd. founded in Taiwan.
Sep. 1965
Introduces the "Ricopy BS-1" as its first electrostatic copier
Jul. 1967
Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd. established in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
Oct. 1967
Sohka Ricoh Co., Ltd. founded in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. (renamed Ricoh Tokki Co., Ltd. in 1972, and then Ricoh Unitechno Co., Ltd. in 1990).

Founder and President Kiyoshi Ichimura passes away (16th).

Dec. 1968
Founder and President Kiyoshi Ichimura passes away (16th).

Mikio Tatebayashi appointed president

Jan. 30, 1969
Mikio Tatebayashi appointed president (until Oct. 22, 1976).

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