1922–
Prehistory of Showa Sangyo
1922
|
Hideo Ito established the fertilizer distributor Ito Hideo Shoten
Hideo Ito, our founder
|
1923
|
Established Nihon Potassium Industry Co., Ltd.
Began manufacturing and selling fertilizers
|
1931
|
Established Nihon Fertilizer Co., Ltd.
|
1935
|
Established Showa Flour Milling Co., Ltd.
Began manufacturing and selling flour
|
1936–1950s
Severe food shortages:
Founded with the intention of supporting Japanese agriculture
Creating a comprehensive system for agricultural processing, in this way contributing to the development of agriculture
Began production and sales of wheat flour, cooking oil, corn syrup, and fertilizer with the aim of creating an integrated system from soil preparation at the farming stage through to product processing and sales. We supported the development of Japanese agriculture while also helping to resolve post-war food shortages.
1936
|
Established Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Registered head office in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
Completed the Akatsuka Plant (later the Mito Plant)
Began manufacturing flour and cooking oils
Completed the Tsurumi Plant
Began manufacturing fertilizers, flour, and cooking oils
|
1937
|
Completed the Ageo Plant Began making syrups
|
1938
|
Merged three companies under the same capital structure: Nihon Potassium Industry Co., Ltd., Nihon Fertilizer Co., Ltd., and Showa Flour Milling Co., Ltd.
Completed the Ichinomiya Plant
Began manufacturing soy protein fiber (SPF)
Registered patent for making synthetic fibers from soy protein
Exhibited Silcool (soy protein fiber products)
|
1940
|
First president, Hideo Ito, passed away due to acute appendicitis at the age of 54
|
1942-1945
|
Repeatedly suspended, reorganized, and sold factories due to the tightening of wartime controls, orders for corporate reorganization, and damage caused by war
|
1947
|
Began manufacturing glucose products at the Ageo Plant
|
1949
|
Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange
Established Nissei Industry Co., Ltd. (now Shosan Shoji Co., Ltd)
|
1950
|
Moved headquarters to Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan (current location)
Headquarters at the time
|
1951
|
Began full-scale production of fertilizers at the Akatsuka Plant.
|
1952
|
Established Takara Sangyo Co., Ltd (now Shosan Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.)
|
1953
|
Established Shosan Shoji Co., Ltd.
|
1956
|
Appointed Kouzo Matsumoto as the fourth president
Launched KESSHO BUDOTO (crystallized glucose)
Kouzo Matsumoto
KESSHO BUDOTO (crystallized glucose)
|
1957
|
Launched SHOWA HOTCAKENO- MOTO (pancake premix) for home use
SHOWA HOTCAKENO- MOTO (pancake premix)
|
1959
|
Launched SHOWA CROWN AND MARUNI TRADEMARK SPAGHETTI, MACARONI, and ELBOW MACARONI for home use
|
1960s–1980s
Growth in demand and diversification of eating habits:
Constructed Japan’s first industrial complex for food and promoted diversification
Realizing a stable supply of a wide range of products through construction of industrial complexes for food
With the diversification in eating habits during Japan’s period of high economic growth, we foresaw an increase in grain imports from overseas and concentrated all of our plants in coastal areas. While expanding our production facilities and silos while solving the cost issues involved in mass production of a wide variety of products, we met new needs with the launch of various household foods in addition to commercial products.
1960
|
Launched SHOWA TEMPURA BATTER MIX for home use in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Established Shosan Foods Co., Ltd. to produce macaroni and spaghetti, etc.
SHOWA TEMPURA BATTER MIX
|
1961
|
Established an experimental poultry station in northern Japan
Launched Japan’s first tempura batter mix, SHOWA SOKUSEKI TEMPURA BATTER MIX, domestically
Established the cooking class, Shosan Cooking Room
Completed Japan’s first industrial complex for food with the completion of the Tsurumi Plant
SHOWA SOKUSEKI TEMPURA BATTER MIX (instant tempura batter premix)
Shosan Cooking Room
|
1962
|
Launched SHOWA KIN TEMPURA BATTER MIX and SHOWA GIN TEMPURA BATTER MIX
|
1963
|
Launched SSS-Z, a poultry feed
SSS-Z
|
1965
|
Completed the Funabashi industrial complex for food with the relocation of the Funabashi Plant (for flour milling)
Established Shosan Farm for poultry breeding
Established the Hara Livestock Experiment Station (later Feed Technology Center)
|
1966
|
Established the Research and Development Center
Research and Development Center
|
1967
|
Completed the Kobe Plant (animal feed production, silo businesses, and vegetable oils business)
|
1968
|
Launched SHOWA WHEAT FLOUR “KINRAN” , for a Chinese noodle products
|
1969
|
Launched SHOWA SOY PROTEIN FRESH
SHOWA SOY PROTEIN FRESH (large grain)
|
1970
|
Completed the Kobe industrial complex for food with the completion of the Kobe Plant (for flour milling)
|
1973
|
Completed the current headquarters building
Current headquarters building
|
1974
|
Completed the Kashima Plant (for the production of vegetable oils and silo business segment)
|
1976
|
Completed the Kashima Plant (for the production of animal feeds)
Capital investment in Shikishima Starch MFG. Co., Ltd.
|
1977
|
Completed the Tsurumi Plant (for the production of soy protein)
|
1980
|
Entered the gift market full-scale
Established Shosan Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Opened East and West Research & Engineering Department
|
1981
|
Completed the Kashima Plant (for production of corn starch and glucose)
Entered into a partnership with the Pillsbury Company in the United States and introduced premix technology
|
1983
|
Launched the high-grade tempura batter mix SHOWA OUGON TEMPURA BATTER MIX, for home use,
SHOWA OUGON TEMPURA BATTER MIX,
|
1984
|
Launched SHOWA SUPPLEMENT OKAMA-NI-PON, wheat germ oil capsules for cooking rice for home use
Launched the tempura batter mix SHOWA OUGON TEMPURA BATTER MIX, for commercial use
OKAMA-NI-PON
|
1985
|
Launched ISOMALTO 500, a saccharification product primarily composed of isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO)
Established Kyushu Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
|
1986
|
Entered into a partnership with the French premix industry leader, France Farine Co., Ltd., and launched European-style bread premix
|
1987
|
Established Oban Co., Ltd.
|
1988
|
Completed Shosan Plaza, a shopping mall
|
1989
|
Established Shourei Co., Ltd.
Established GranPac Foods, Inc., in Oregon, U.S.A.
|
1990–2000s
More sophisticated food needs:
Improving product development to enhance taste and functionality
Strengthening product development in a wide range of fields to provide products that match the times
With increasingly sophisticated food needs and diversification in the raw material properties and type of products demanded, we strengthened our product development in a range of grains and evolved our processing technologies, in addition to focusing on recipe proposals. We continued to develop products that delighted customers, including products combining functional properties with delicious foods and health-conscious products.
1990
|
Completed the Kashima Plant (for soy protein production)
|
1991
|
Established the Food Development Center
Established Showa Keiran Co., Ltd.
Food Development Center
|
1992
|
Launched SHOWA ONIKU-WO-YAWARAKAKUSURU KARAAGE-KO, a karaage mix
Capital investment in Kashima Feed Co., Ltd.
Obtained approval from the then Ministry of Health and Welfare for isomalto-oligosaccharide as a food for specified health uses
Capital investment in Kida Flour Mills Co., Ltd.
SHOWA ONIKU-WO-YAWARAKAKUSURU KARAAGE-KO
|
1993
|
Established Shosan Business Services Co., Ltd.
Established Niigata Elite Foods Co., Ltd. (now Showa Frozen Foods Co., Ltd.)
Completed the Kashima Plant (for flour milling)
Capital investment in Naigai Flour Milling Co., Ltd.
Kashima Plant (for flour milling)
|
1994
|
Completed the Itako Mix Branch Plant in the Kashima Plant
Launched Oligo Time, a food certified for specified health uses
Oligo Time
|
1995
|
Kobe Plant damaged by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
|
1998
|
Established the Bio Research Center in the Research and Development Center
Bio Research Center
|
2000
|
Launched SHOWA OIL OLEIN RICH, sunflower oil for home use that is rich in oleic acid
Sold GranPac Foods, Inc., in the United States
OLEIN RICH
|
2002
|
Established Showa Frozen Foods Co., Ltd.
|
2003
|
Established the joint venture Dachan Showa Foods Tianjin Co., Ltd. In China
|
2005
|
Established Swing Bakery Co., Ltd.
Launched SHOWA CAKE-NO-YONA HOTCAKE MIX, a cake-like pancake premix for home use
SHOWA CAKE-NO-YONA HOTCAKE MIX
|
2008
|
Entered into capital and business alliance with Shin Nihon Chemical Co., Ltd.
|
2009
|
Began operating food safety and quality management system*
- *Unique standards encompassing ISO 22000, ISO 9001, and AIB Consolidated Standards for Food Safety
Capital investment in Okumoto Flour Milling Co., Ltd.
Acquired ISO 22000 certification at three plants in Kashima, Kobe, and Funabashi
|
2010–
Changing lifestyles and values:
Diversifying types of food consumption and changing lifestyles due to COVID-19
Creating unique added value as a Grain Solution Company
Consumption related to food has become more sophisticated and diverse, requiring product development to meet contemporary needs, such as health-conscious consumers. In addition, people’s lifestyles were completely transformed by COVID-19, which began spreading in 2020. Demand increased for staying at home as people avoided eating out in restaurants. This required product development for simple foods and food that is delicious even after some time due to the growth in cooking at home and take-out food.
2010
|
Launched SHOWA C BLANC wheat flour for confectionery products
SHOWA WHEAT FLOUR “C blanc”
|
2011
|
Kashima Plant, Funabashi Plant, and Sendai Branch damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake
Launched SHOWA RENJIDE- CHINSURU KARAAGE-KO, the industry’s first flour premix for microwave cooking
Launched SHOWA OIL CANOLA NEO
Microwaveable flour premix
SHOWA OIL CANOLA NEO
|
2012
|
Capital participation in International Mix Joint Mix Company (Intermix), the largest premix company in Vietnam
Completed the Plant of the Dachan Showa Foods Tianjin Co., Ltd.
Launched KOMEKKO, a poultry feed
KOMEKKO, a poultry feed for the chick stage
|
2013
|
Completed the Shosan Ageo Building, a commercial facility
Renamed the Food Development Center to the Development Center for New Products & Customer Value
Garnered Food Action Nippon Award 2013 for poultry feed series, KOMEKKO
|
2014
|
Announced “Grain Solution Company” as the corporate brand message
Capital investment in Central Flour Milling Co., Ltd.
Began equity participation in Dachan LiangYou Foods (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., expanding into flour milling in China
Garnered Food Action Nippon Award 2014 for ORIHIME poultry feed series
Received the Chairman’s Award of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for poultry feed series, KOMEKKO
Corporate advertisement “Grain Solution Company”
|
2015
|
Established Grandsolu Bakery Co., Ltd.
|
2016
|
Established the Research, Development and Engineering Center
Changed corporate brand logo on the company’s 80th anniversary
Corporate brand logo
|
2017
|
Launched SHOWA OMUGIKO-NO-HOTCAKE MIX, a barley flour pancake premix that obtained approval as a food with a functional claim
Entered into business alliance with DaChan Great Wall Group in Taiwan
Launched SHOWA KONNYAKU KOKA (SPAGHETTI), a pasta containing glucomannan
Announced SHOWA Next Stage for 2025, our Long-Term Vision
SHOWA OMUGIKO-NO-HOTCAKE MIX, a barley flour pancake premix
SHOWA KONNYAKU KOKA (SPAGHETTI), a pasta that contains glucomannan
|
2018
|
Established Showa Sangyo Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Vietnam
Made Garden Bakery Inc. into a subsidiary
|
2019
|
Introduced internal meister system for tempura
|
2020
|
Underwrote capital increase of Z.Y. Food Company Limited and Kouchan Mill Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)
Made Boso Oil and Fat Co., Ltd. into a subsidiary
Made San-ei Sucrochemical Co., Ltd. into a subsidiary
|
2022
|
Began operation of Funabashi Premix No. 2 Plant
|
2023
|
Entered into capital and business alliance with Tsuji Oil Mills
|