Corporate DataHistory of Fuji Electric
Fuji Electric continues to evolve in step with the times and with society,
with technology as our driving force.
Corporate History
Technology and Product History
1923
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd."
"Fuji Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd." was established as a capital and technology alliance between Japanese "Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd." and German "Siemens AG". The company name derived from these two companies' first sound "Fu" and "Si"and the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji.
(Used from 1923 to 1978)
1923
Opened the Head Office (Kojimachi Ward, Tokyo City), Tokyo Sales Office, and Osaka Sales Office (present Kansai Branch Office)
1924
First issue of Fuji Electric Journal
1924
Started manufacturing electrical machinery
1925
Started operation of the "Kawasaki factory
1925
Started transformer production
1927
Began electric fan production
1930
Launched mercury-vapor rectifier production
Imported mercury-vapor rectifier first in Japan and launched production in Kawasaki factory. Market share was high and contributed for transportation infrastructure organization.
1933
Started expansion circuit breaker production
1935
Established "Fuji Tsushinki Manufacturing Co., Ltd."(present "Fujitsu Limited") by spinning off the Telephone Department
1936
Built its first hydraulic turbine, 4,850HP Francis Turbine
Introduced technologies from "Voith Hydro Holding GmbH & Co. KG", and delivered the first hydraulic turbine to "Kaminoshiro power plant".
1937
Began watt-hour meter production
1938
Completed the Asia’s first 230 kV extra-high voltage expansion circuit breaker
1942
Started operation of the "Matsumoto factory"
1942
Established "Fuji Electric Hospital"
Expanded the clinic that was located in Kawasaki factory and restructured it into a hospital with separate departments for each field.
1943
Started operation of the "Fukiage factory" and "Toyoda factory".
1944
Started operation of the "Mie factory"
1946
Established the "Federation of Fuji Electric Employees' Unions"
1954
Started ultra-compact magnetic switch production
Devised a design and realize microminiaturization.
1954
Began volume production of selenium rectifiers
In response to exploding demand for televisions and radios, Fuji Electric began volume production of selenium rectifiers, electronic components that convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). The company soon took an 80%-90% share of the domestic selenium rectifier market.
1955
Started manufacturing juicers
Sales of juicers took off from around 1961, playing a role in a nationwide health movement (campaign).
1955
Full-scale foray into thermal power plant business
Signed a contract with "Siemens AG" for technology transfer of the steam turbine manufacturing. Subsequently delivered the first super-critical, variable pressure turbine in Japan, which was one of the largest in the country at the time. This move to import European technology marked a change of tack in a domestic power generation market dominated by US technology.
1958
Delivered the first electronic instrumentation system to a water treatment plant in Japan
1959
Began manufacturing silicon diodes
1959
Supplied Energy center facilities
Completed the Unit 1 equipment for Tobata Steel Works of Yahata Seitetsu K.K.
1961
Started operation of the "Chiba factory"
1962
Established "Central Training Center"
1962
Developed thyristor inverters
1964
Relocated the Head Office (to 1-1, Marunouchi, Tokyo), Established the "Central Research Laboratory" (Yokosuka City).
1965
Electric propulsion system fitted to Antarctic exploration ship "Fuji"
Fuji Electric's propulsion system played active roll because of its speedy forward and backward proplusion functions. It enables to gain great propelling power from low speed.
1966
Supplied nuclear pressure vessels and other equipment to the Tokai Nuclear Power Plant
1966
Established "Fuji Denki Kaden Co., Ltd."
1966
Released medium and large capacity UPS(200 kVA)
1967
Established "Chichibu Fuji Co., Ltd."
1967
Developed earth-leakage circuit breakers
1968
Merged with "Kawasaki Denki Seizo Co., Ltd.", and began operation of the "Kobe" and "Suzuka" factories.
1969
Began production of vending machines
Used know-how as a vendor of refrigerated milk showcases to move into vending machines. Delivered 230 beverage vending machines to the 1970 "Osaka World Exposition", prompting the wider spread of domestically made vending machines.
1969
Delivered gas insulated switchgear
1970
Established "Omachi Fuji Co., Ltd."
1970
Released cup-type coffee vending machines
1970
Established employees' pension fund.
1970
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., USA" (Present: "Fuji Electric Corp. of America")
Sales of electrical machinery and equipment, semiconductor devices, drive control equipment, and ED&C components in North America and Latin America.
1971
Established "Fuji Electric Educational Fund".
1971
Developed centralized monitoring and control systems for power utility companies. First computerized control system in Japan, using the FACOM-R mini-computer
1971
Started hybrid IC manufacture
1973
Started operation of the "Otawara factory"
1973
Began production of selenium photoconductive drums
1973
The 50th anniversary commemoration project was held.
1973
All Fuji skill competition (3,900 employees participated) was held.
1973
Phosphoric acid fuel cells
1973
Established "Iiyama Fuji Co., Ltd."
1973
Released open showcases
1974
Established "Fuji Denki Reiki Seizo Co., Ltd."
1974
Released installation-type ultrasonic flowmeter
1974
Released coin mechanisms and bill validators
1974
Released automotive exhaust gas measuring equipment
1974
Commercialized cast resin power transformers
1975
Winner of the sheet metal work at the WorldSkills Competition (Madrid).
1975
Began manufacturing bipolar transistors
1975
Developed the "MICREX-P Series", plant control microcomputer system
1976
Started manufacturing general-purpose inverters
First in the industry to develop general-purpose inverters. Led the market in creating smaller, more responsive and functional components, resulting in their adoption in a range of fields due to their energy-saving characteristics.
1976
Began manufacturing the FUJILOG Series of the PLC
1976
Released Hot & Cold vending machines
1977
Established "Fuji Facom Corp."
1977
Received an order for our first full-scale geothermal power generation facility
40 MW unit for El Salvadorʼs electricity authority
1978
Devised corporate symbol mark
1978
Began research into "Amorphous solar cells"
1978
Established the "High Voltage & Power Laboratories"
1978
Released new magnetic switch SC series
1980
Established "Fuji Electric Corporate Research and Development Ltd."
1980
Released the programmable logic controller “MICREX-P”
1980
Women’s volleyball team of the Kawasaki Factory won at the national championship in Tochigi Prefecture.
1981
Provided ice-breaking ship Shirase with an electric propulsion system
Installed the state of the art PLCs and mini computer which are rare for ships at the time and solid-state relay sequence and centered and automated monitoring systems. Realized durability for severe environmental conditions such as high temperature and high humidity around the equator, impacts and vibrations from advancing frozen seas etc.
1981
Established "U.S. Fuji Electric Inc."
(present "Fuji Electric Corp. of America")
1981
Released the FVR Series general-purpose inverter
1982
Completed Japan’s first 30 kW phosphoric acid fuel cell
1983
Completed the new Kobe Factory.
1983
The Matsumoto Factory won the Quality Control Award for Factory by the Deming Prize Committee.
1984
Changed company name : "Fuji Electric Co., Ltd."
1984
Established "Fuji Electric Technology Training Center Co., Ltd. "
1984
Released the programmable logic controller "MICREX-F Series"
PLCs play an active role in factory automation control equipment. Fuji Electric standardized networking function to PLCs for the first in the industry and was well-received.
1985
1st generation mini UPS "M-UPS Series" launched
Realized small and noise resistant UPSs by modifying MOSFETs for main circuit switching element. At the same time, utilized voltage dip controlling technology as frontrunner of the industry.
1985
Developed 1,000kW phosphoric acid fuel cell
1986
Established "Hong Kong Fujidenki Co., Ltd."
1986
Delivered the world’s largest scale tunnel electrostatic precipitators to the Kanetsu Tunnel
1986
Began manufacturing magnetic recording media (by spattering)
1986
Began manufacturing power MOSFETs
1987
Establishment of "Fuji Electric GmbH" (present "Fuji Electric Europe GmbH" )
Sales of electrical/electronic machinery and components in Europe and Africa.
1987
New IC chip for auto-focus cameras completed
1987
1,000 kW fuel cell for NEDO
Succeeded first in rated output testing of Japan's highest capacity unit
1987
Developed IGBT modules
1988
Supplied world's first EIC integrated control system to a steel company
1988
Began manufacturing 1st-generation IGBTs
1989
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Singapore Private Ltd." (present Fuji Electric Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.)
Sales of electrical distribution and control equipment, drive control equipment, and semiconductor devices in Asia, Oceania and Middle East.
1989
Began manufacturing the POD programmable operator interface
1989
Developed FA personal computers
1989
Began development of polymer electrolyte fuel cells
1989
Delivered a fuel handling facility system to the Monjyu nuclear power plant
1990
Established the "Fuji Electric Group Union"
1990
Began manufacturing twin-breakers
1990
Released the FVR-G7 and K7 Series general-purpose inverters
1991
Introduced Corporate Philosophy
1991
Developed 2.5-inch magnetic disks
1991
Started operation of the "Yamanashi factory"
1991
Completed an AC traction motor for Shinkansen trains (Nozomi)
1991
Established "Fuji Electric (Scotland) Ltd."
1991
Launched the New Vision 21 Plan
1992
Delivered an ozone water treatment system
1992
Developed the world’s highest capacity IGBT UPS
1992
Delivered electrical equipment to the Tokyo port bridge (Rainbow Bridge)
1993
Established "Human Resource Development Center Co., Ltd."
1993
Delivered the first generator (600MW output) of "Noshiro Power Station"
1993
Established "Fuji Electric Motor (Dalian) Co., Ltd."
1994
Established "Fuji Electric Dalian Co., Ltd."
1994
Established "Fuji Electric Frontier Co., Ltd."
1994
Successful launch of Japan's first "HII rocket"
The launch vehicle's power control unit was fitted with an aerospace power transistor made by Fuji Electric.
1995
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Philippines, Inc."
Manufacture of semiconductor devices in Philippines.
1995
Successful field experiment of the world's first linear-motor-driven vertical transport systems
1995
Establishment of "Fuji Electric France S.A.S"
Manufacture and sales of measurement and control devices in Europe, Africa and Middle East.
1995
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Korea Co., Ltd."
Sales of power distribution and control equipment, drive control equipment, rotators, high-voltage inverters, electronic control panels, medium- and large-sized UPS, and measurement equipment in Korea.
1995
Establishment of "Fuji Electric (Thailand) Co., Ltd."
Sales and engineering of electric substation equipment, control panels, and other electric equipment in Thailand.
1995
Established "Fuji Electric (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd."
1996
Established "Fuji Electric FA (Asia) Co., Ltd."
1996
Won order for IGBT main converters used in electric railways (world's first large capacity flat IGBT)
1996
Establishment of "Fuji Electric (Malaysia) Sdn.
Manufacture of magnetic disk and aluminum substrate for magnetic disk in Malaysia.
1996
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Taiwan Co., Ltd."
Sales of semiconductor devices, electrical distribution and control equipment, and drive control equipment in Taiwan.
1997
"Hakko Electronics Co., Ltd" became a subsidiary
1997
Lead-free solder
Development of Fuji Electric’s proprietary lead-free solder.
Application of eco-friendly solder and printed circuit boards
1997
Established "Hangzhou Fuji Refrigerating Machine Co., Ltd." (present "Fuji Electric (Hangzhou) Software Co., Ltd.")
1997
Expansion of 4th-generation IGBT product lineup
1997
Delivered the Japan’s first high temperature test reactor (HTTR)
1998
Established "CJV"
(present "Wuxi Fuji Electric FA Co., Ltd.")
1998
Supplied the worldʼs first large-capacity flat IGBT equipped main converters for Shinkansen trains
1998
Delivered 100kW phosphoric acid fuel cell
Delivered the first fuel cells to domestic gas company. Since then, fuel cells installation spreads widely into hotels, education facilities, research facilities, hospitals, office buildings and overseas facilities.
1999
Moved the Head office to the "Gate City Ohsaki" complex in Shinagawa Ward
1999
Released the FALDIC-α Series AC servo system
1999
Established "Fuji Electric Motor Co., Ltd."
1999
Established "Fuji Electric Imaging Device Co., Ltd."
1999
Established "Fuji Electric Storage Device Co., Ltd."
1999
Establishment of "Fuji Electric FA (Shanghai) Co., Ltd." (present "Fuji Electric (China) Co., Ltd.")
Sales of locally manufactured or imported products in China, and export of locally manufactured products in China.
1999
Released the "FRENIC5000VG7", high-performance vector-control inverter
1999
New mini-UPS "J-Series" launched
Realized the world smallest and lightest power supply inverter systems. Received the Good Design Award in the year.
2000
Established "Fuji IT Co., Ltd."
2001
Established "Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.,"
2001
Established "Fuji Electric Semiconductor, Inc."
2001
Opened China General Representative Office
2001
Established "Fuji Electric (Changshu) Co., Ltd."
2002
Devised corporate symbol mark, and Introduced corporate brand statement
2002
Established biogas-powered fuel cell power generation system
Delivered Japan's first fuel cell cogeneration system (incorporating two 100kW fuel cells) powered by digested sewage sludge gas.
2002
Established "Fukiage Fuji Jihanki KK"
(acquired "SANYO Electric Vending Machine Co., Ltd")
2002
Supplied an environmental radiation monitoring system
2002
Developed the Hybrid Servo System, the world’s first hydraulic turbine control system taking account of the environment
2003
The 80th anniversary commemoration project and comprehensive technology exhibition was held.
2003
Changed company name owing to shift to pure holding company system "Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd."
As core operating companies, "Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd." / "Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd." / "Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd." / "Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co., Ltd.".
2003
Established Dalian Fuji Bingshan Vending Machine Co., Ltd.
2005
Established Fuji Electric (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd.
2006
Started operation of "Kumamoto factory"
*Transfer its business including film type amorphous solar cells on March 31, 2014
2006
Commenced mass production of film substrate "Amorphous solar cells"
Began mass producing flexible "Amorphous solar cells" based on plastic film substrate.
*This business was transfered on March 31, 2014
2007
Started mass production of perpendicular magnetic recording media
Full-scale mass production of world's largest capacity 2.5-inch glass substrate media (160GB/disk), 3.5-inch aluminium substrate media (334GB/disk).
2008
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Semiconductor (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd."
Manufacture of semiconductor devices in Malaysia.
2008
Established "METAWATER Co., Ltd." (joint venture with "NGK Insulators, Ltd.")
2008
"Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd." Merged operation with "Schneider Electric Japan Ltd."
2009
Establishment of "Fuji Electric India Pvt. Ltd."
Sales of drive control equipment and semiconductor devices in India.
2009
High-voltage drop/dip compensator using a lithiumion capacitor released.
The world's first embedded lithium-ion capacitor realized environmental load reduction in a significantly smaller package.
2009
Developed power MOSFETs for space applications
2010
Began operation of the Tsukuba Factory
It started as the "Tsukuba Technical Center" of Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. as Fuji Electric Systems merged its power supply business with TDK-Lambda Corporation.
* Integrated with a Matsumoto Airport-adjacent area and renamed to "Tsukuba Factory" on April 2011.
2010
Developed a new three-level converter circuit and a new three-level power module, realizing highly efficient electric power conversion
It reduces the power loss of power conversion equipment including power supplies and invertors.
It applied power conditioners for renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic power and wind power, UPS and inverter.
2010
140MW geothermal power plant, the largest single-unit capacity in the world, started operation (New Zealand "Nga Awa Purua Power Station")
The Fuji Electric has been developing its geothermal power generation business since the 1970s in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, the United States, Iceland, and other countries around the world, and has succeeded in installing numerous geothermal power systems.
2010
High-speed electric vehicle battery charger went on sale
Charging and CAN communication control, which is core of the CHAdeMO standard, is developed by condensing know-how of electric distribution and control technologies and energy management system's information control technologies.
*Discontinued
2010
Delivered micro-grid system to outlying islands, and took part in installation and verification testing
Delivered micro-grid systems to outlying islands. The systems mitigate variable power output from solar generation and wind power generation by charging and discharging fuel cells to stabilize the power system.
2010
Development of next-generation SiC power semiconductor modules
We have developed a SiC module that reduces the volume to approximately one-fourth that of conventional ones and has low electricity losses to achieve high efficiency of the power control.
2011
Changed company name : "Fuji Electric Co., Ltd."
Merger of "Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd." with "Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd."
2011
High-Voltage Inverter with Water-Cooling System "FRENIC 4800VM5" went on sale
The FRENIC 4800VM5 employs a water-cooling system to reduce the heat generated by conversion circuits. Compared to conventional air-cooling systems, the method achieves greatly improved cooling efficiency and allows the capacity of high-voltage inverters to be increased while their size is reduced.
2011
Establishment of "GE Fuji Meter Co., Ltd." (joint venture with "General Electric")
2011
Released hybrid heat pump vending machines
2011
Merger of "Fuji Electric Co., Ltd." with "Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd"
2011
Establishment of "PT Fuji Electric Indonesia"
Sales of inverters, servos, UPS, tools, and other component products in Indonesia.
2012
Devised corporate brand statement
<Brand Promise>
Through our pursuit of innovation in electric and thermal energy technology, we develop products that maximize energy efficiency and lead to a responsible and sustainable society.
2012
Launched dedicated inverters for air-conditioning and water treatment systems, "FRENIC-HVAC" and "FRENIC-AQUA".
Feature a slim design that allows the units to be mounted against a wall and produced as specialized equipment loaded with the standard functions required to independently operate fans and pumps in air-conditioning equipment and water supply and drainage facilities.
2012
Merger of "Fuji Electric Co., Ltd." with "Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co., Ltd."
2012
Development of inverter equipped with next-generation power semiconductor SiC-SBD, a first in Japan
SiC-SBDs were fitted on power conditioning systems and UPSs.
2012
Launched power conditioning systems for mega solar power generation systems.
Fuji Electric commercialized the world's first three-level module in which a new RB-IGBT and an existing IGBT are integrated in one package. Achieving world highest efficiency of 98.5% (DC 1,000 V product).
2012
Released coffee machines for convenience stores
2013
Establishment of "Fuji Electric Vietnam Co.,Ltd"
Sales of electrical distribution and control equipment and drive control equipment in Vietnam.
2013
Released the "MICREX-VIEW XX", small- and medium-scale monitoring and control system
2013
Established Fuji Tusco Co., Ltd.
2013
Began operation of the factory at "Fuji Electric Manufacturing(Thailand) Co.,Ltd"
2013
Introduced manufacturing lines for 6-inch SIC Power Semiconductors
2014
Created new corporate brand emblem for products
2014
Launched power electronics equipped with SiC power semiconductors
2014
Established "Fuji SMBE Pte. Ltd."
Manufacturing and sales of low-voltage switchboards (switchgear, controlgear) in Singapore
2014
Established "Shanghai Electric Fuji Electric Power Technology (Wuxi) Co., Ltd."
2015
Established "Reliable Turbine Services LLC"(United States)
2015
Launched aerosol analyzers
Began contributing to elucidation of nature of PM2.5
2015
Launched steam generation heat pumps
Started making contributions to energy savings through recycling of low-temperature factory exhaust heat
2016
Established "Fuji CAC Joint Stock Company"(Vietnam)
Engineering of substation equipment and process control systems
2016
Launched large-capacity UPS equipped with SiC power semiconductors for the North American market
2016
Established "Fuji SEMEC Inc."(Canada)
2016
Launched 145 kV gas- insulated switchgears compatible with the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission
2016
Began shipping direct water-cooled power modules for automotive applications(Built-in RC-IGBT)
2016
Established "Fuji Gemco Private Limited" (India)
Design, manufacturing, sales, and engineering of drive control systems
2016
Completed the "Power Electronics Technical Center" in the Suzuka Factory
2017
Delivered of one of Japanʼs largest geothermal binary plants
5050kW for Takigami Binary Power Plant
2017
Established "P.T. Fuji Metec Semarang"
2017
Supplied SiC equipped main converters for Shinkansen trains
2018
Established "Dalian Fuji Bingshan Smart Control Systems Co., Ltd."
2018
Supplied exhaust gas cleaning systems for ships
2018
Began shipping 7th-generation RC-IGBT for industrial equipment
2019
Established "Consul Neowatt Power Solutions Private Limited"
(present "Fuji Electric India Pvt. Ltd.")
2019
Developed the multi communication unit (MCU)
The MCU is an important communication component to build ICT solution services. It can access various network devices and directly communicate with smartphones and servers.
2019
Released an on-site diagnostic system that uses analytics & AI
2020
Completed the "Power Electronics Equipment Engineering Center" in the Chiba Factory
2021
Released the UPS7500WX Series high capacity UPS
2022