Corporate History

JUKI’s History

This section describes the JUKI Group’s history of creating corporate value
and growing its business by responding to the needs of customers and society,
starting with manufacturing for “peace.”

Year
Year 1938
Year 1938

“Tokyo Juki Manufacturers Association” is established.

The organization that will one day become JUKI’s predecessor is established.
Tokyo’s leading machinery manufacturers invest in the organization.

Year 1943

The organization is renamed “Tokyo Juki Kogyo Co., Ltd.”

The company is reorganized as a joint-stock company due to expansion of business scale.

Year 1945

The description of the company’s business is changed to “the manufacturing of sewing machines.”

The description of the company’s business is changed to “the manufacturing of sewing machines to support Japan’s reconstruction with a focus on manufacturing for peace.”
A parts manufacturing business commences for household sewing machines.

Year 1947

JUKI’s first household sewing machine, the “HA-1,” is completed.

Starting from the manufacture of parts, JUKI completes its first household sewing machine through a process of trial and error.

  • *
    The HA-1 is assembled based on a unified standard in the sewing machine industry.
Year 1947

JUKI’s “HA-1” is selected to become a “special prize” item to appear on New Year’s greeting cards with lottery numbers.

After earning an A-class designation from the Sewing Machine Performance Examination Committee under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (1947), the machine is selected to become a special prize item to appear on New Year’s greeting cards with lottery numbers.
The machine is subsequently selected to become a special prize item in 1950 and from 1952 to 1955 (five years in total)

Year 1950
Year 1953

JUKI releases its first industrial sewing machine.

Anticipating the arrival of an era of ready-to-wear clothing, JUKI begins the development of industrial sewing machines in 1950.
In 1951, JUKI invents a “single-axis rotary balance” mechanism that can both increase the number of revolutions (sewing speed) and improve sewing quality.
The first industrial sewing machine (DDW-II) to adopt this mechanism for practical use is released.

Year 1957

JUKI wins the Imperial Invention Award.

JUKI’s single-axis rotational thread take-up lever receives the Imperial Invention Award, Japan’s highest honor, from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
This product is patented not only in Japan, but in nine other major countries.

Year 1957

JUKI exports industrial sewing machines to Hong Kong for the first time.

JUKI takes the first step toward global expansion.

Year 1957

Wool knitting machines are released.

The knitting machine boom begins.
Knitting classes are opened nationwide.

Year 1958

JUKI engineers are stationed in Hong Kong.

Year 1959

JUKI launches its “Sewing Efficiency Laboratory.”

JUKI establishes an organization to support productivity improvements in sewing factories by conducting scientific analyses as a basis for solution activities.

Year 1960
Year 1961

JUKI enters the field of electronic equipment.

JUKI enters the computer peripheral equipment business after receiving an ODM contract from Hitachi, Ltd. for a computer I/O unit.

Year 1964

JUKI shares are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

JUKI shares are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (following its listing on the Second Section in 1961).

Year 1964

A representative office is opened in Germany.

(Hamburg)

Passports used by JUKI’s staff members who have worked hard to develop global markets

Year 1964

A representative office is opened in New York, U.S.A.

(New York)

Year 1967

The “lost-wax” manufacturing method starts.

JUKI begins manufacturing parts using the “lost-wax” manufacturing method.
JUKI AIZU CORPORATION is still using the “lost-wax” method today.

Year 1969

An automatic thread-trimming mechanism is developed.

JUKI succeeds in achieving an “Automatic Thread-Trimming Mechanism” of stable quality and releases an industrial sewing machine (DDL-555-2) equipped with the mechanism.
The DDL-555-2 becomes a stepping stone to the world’s top market share.

Year 1970
Year 1970

JUKI’s first overseas office is established.

JUKI’s first overseas office is established in Hong Kong.
(currently JUKI (HONG KONG) LTD.)

Year 1971

The Ohtawara Plant is completed.

A manufacturing plant for industrial sewing machines is established in Ohtawara City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Year 1972

A sales company is established in Europe.

A sales company is established in West Germany (currently JUKI CENTRAL EUROPE SP.ZO.O. located in Poland).

Year 1973

A factory is established in Akita Prefecture.

A factory for manufacturing electronic equipment is established in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture (currently JUKI INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION).

Year 1974

A sales company is established in U.S.A.

A sales company is established in New Jersey, U.S.A. (currently JUKI AMERICA, INC. located in Florida).

Year 1977

A sewing center is opened at the head office.

A showroom is opened to display industrial sewing machines and provide sewing consultation.

Year 1978

JUKI wins the “Automated Machinery Development Award.”

JUKI’s Edge Control Seamer Model ECS-150 (industrial sewing machine) receives the “Automated Machinery Development Award” from the Japan Society for the Promotion of the Machine Industry.

Year 1979

An independent exhibition of industrial sewing machines is held in China.

An independent exhibition of industrial sewing machines is held in Shanghai, China. (Sewing Machinery Equipment Exhibition)

Year 1980
Year 1980

A representative office is opened in Beijing, China.

Year 1981

JUKI wins the Deming Prize.

The Deming Prize is a cornerstone of quality management.

Year 1981

Typewriters are released.

The typewriter/Praxis 30 is developed and released amidst the growing popularity of typewritten text.

Year 1982

The first Chinese Character Key-to-Floppy Device is released.

The 1860 series data entry system is released.

Year 1982

A sales office is established in Singapore.

The Singapore office of JUKI (HONG KONG) LTD. is opened (currently JUKI SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.)

Year 1985

JUKI’s “automatic thread tension function” is developed.

“The mishin,” a household sewing machine equipped with an “automatic thread tension function” (a true dream technology), is released.
The machine is hailed as “epoch-making” and a “world’s first” in various technical magazines.

Year 1987

JUKI enters the SMT business field.

The KP-350, JUKI’s first mounter, a machine that will become the pillar of JUKI’s Electronics Assembly & Systems Businesses, is released.

Year 1988

The company is renamed “JUKI CORPORATION.”

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, the company is renamed “JUKI CORPORATION.” JUKI’s well-established name in the market as a product brand unifies the company’s image in both name and reality.

Year 1989

JUKI’s Corporate philosophy is renewed.

JUKI’s Corporate philosophy, basic management policy, corporate slogan, and company logo are renewed.

Year 1990
Year 1990

The “MIM” manufacturing method is established.

The “MIM” manufacturing method is established through research and development.
JUKI AIZU CORPORATION is still using the “MIM” method today.

Year 1990

A manufacturing factory for household sewing machines is established in China.

(SHANGHAI JUKI SEWING MACHINE CO., LTD.)

Year 1994

A sales company is established in China.

Established in Shanghai (currently JUKI (CHINA) CO., LTD. established in 2001)

Year 1995

A manufacturing factory is established in Vietnam.

The factory starts as a parts manufacturer and grows to become the core factory responsible for JUKI’s production (Tantuan Precision Co., Ltd. / currently JUKI (VIETNAM) CO., LTD.)

Year 1995

A manufacturing factory for industrial sewing machines is established in China.

(JUKI XINXING INDUSTRY CO., LTD. / currently JUKI (LANGFANG)INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.)

Year 1998

The automatic bobbin thread feeder is developed.

A technology to prevent bobbins from running out of thread, one of the major problems in lockstitch machines, is developed.
The feeder wins the Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry Award.

Year 2000
Year 2000

A sales company is established in India.

Bangalore (currently JUKI INDIA PVT. LTD.)

Year 2000

A manufacturing factory for industrial sewing machines is established in China.

(JUKI (SHANGHAI) INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.)

Year 2009

The JUKI head office is relocated from the site of its founding.

The JUKI head office moves from Chofu-shi, Tokyo, where the company was founded, to Tama-shi, Tokyo, where the new headquarters building was constructed.

Year 2010
Year 2012

The field centered around sewing machines for leather and thick fabrics is expanded.

JUKI’s sewing machines for leather and thick fabrics are recategorized as “sewing machines for non-apparel” and the machine lineup for car seats and shoes is expanded.

Year 2013

Sales of JUKI’s “Automated Warehouse” are launched.

JUKI starts business with ESSEGI S.r.l., an Italian-based company.
In 2019, ESSEGI AUTOMATION S.r.l. is established as a joint venture to strengthen the development of the automated warehouse business.

Year 2014

A new company is established with Sony Corporation to expand the Electronics Assembly & Systems Businesses.

JUKI expands the product lineup in its SMT line by integrating with the same business division of Sony Corporation. (JUKI AUTOMATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION)

Year 2015

Operations for the Contract Business start.

Eight JUKI manufacturing factories in Japan and Vietnam collaborate on the launch of a contracted development and manufacturing business that provides manufacturing capabilities.

Year 2016

The concept of the household sewing machinery business is clarified.

The business is conceptualized as a “strong and brilliant business” that provides authenticity-oriented products and supports for customers.

The SL-700EX released in 2017

Year 2016

The "Smart Factory" concept is presented.

The value offered to sewing factory customers is clarified.

JIAM 2016

Year 2017

“Spare parts and maintenance support” are commercialized.

A sales support business is strategized with “prevention” as the keyword.

Year 2018

The JUKI History Museum is opened.

JUKI’s history and famous machines from the past are on display (in the JUKI Ohtawara Plant).

Year 2020
Year 2020

ESG social issues are clarified.

Materiality is organized.
In 2021, JUKI makes a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality.

Upcycling Activities

Year 2021

The lineup of sewing machines for knitwear is expanded.

The lineup of sewing machines for knitwear is expanded through a business alliance with PEGASUS CO., LTD.

A first collaborative machine M900/DJ (launched in April 2022)

Year 2022

A new company is established with a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

JUKI integrates with a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to expand its lineup of non-apparel sewing machines. (JUKI TECHNOSOLUTIONS CORPORATION)

First collaborative machines PLK-J+ AW-3SD (launched in October 2023)

Year 2022

A capital and business alliance is formed with AIMECHATEC, Ltd.

New businesses are created in collaboration with the Electronics Assembly & Systems businesses and Contract Business.

Year 2023

An IoT Platform Equipment and Systems Business is commenced.

A recurring revenue model business using IoT is commenced to provide various equipment and supports in response to customer needs. (Transferred to industrial sewing machine business from 2025)

Hanger Systems

Back to top of page