Itoki's history
Over time as the office evolves.
The spirit of our founding has been passed down to this day.
Our company was established in 1890 as Itoki Shoten.
Itoki's history of over 120 years is a trail of INNOVATION, creating things that had never existed in the world before, such as the ZENIAIKI (Money recording machine-the origin of cash register).
The spirit of our company's origins has remained unchanged and has been passed down from generation to generation.
1890-1949
From the spread of patented inventions to the sale of office equipment
- 1890
- On December 1st, Itoki Shoten was established in Koraibashi, Higashi-ku, Osaka.
Print art of Itoki Shoten as of its establishment - 1894
- Started selling Horii mimeograph machines.
- 1903
- Started importing and selling gem clips and staplers.
1903 Begins import and sales of Gem Clips and staplers.
Itoki Shoten was founded on December 1, 1890 (Meiji 23) by Kijuro Ito with the aim of popularizing patented products. It became known as the "high-quality shop in town." Two of the most popular products are the paper clip and the stapler, which are commonly used in today's offices. Both were imported and sold in 1903 (Meiji 36), and both are said to have been registered trademarks of Itoki Shoten. In particular, the company later started producing staplers in-house, and the stylish design in the shape of a pigeon made them a big hit.
- 1906
- Opened its Kyushu branch in Fukuoka
First Kyushu branch (Hakata Kurahonmachi) - 1908
- Established its Craft department and started producing office equipment such as portable safes and simple stationery.
- 1910
- Started importing and selling English typewriters, thermos bottles, etc.
Thermos bottles with Thermos’ trademark (1910) - 1913
- Zeniaiki (money record teller machine) released
Usage scene when Zeniaiki was released 
Xeniaiki (1913) - 1914
- Released safe made by bending thick steel plate (manufactured at Tokyo Takeuchi safe)
- 1923
- The Great Kanto Earthquake
- 1924
- Opened its Sakaisuji branch office (currently Osaka Showroom) in Awajicho, Higashi-ku, Osaka.
Started selling Toa Japanese typewriters.
Toa Japanese typewriter (1924) - 1925
- Established its new factory in Hirokoji, Higashi-ku, Osaka
Started manufacturing steel storage cabinets and lockers, and started manufacturing in-house steel furniture.
Newly constructed Craft department (1925) - 1926
- Started selling radios
- 1931
- Completed its head office building in Hiranocho, Higashi-ku, Osaka.
Head office building (1931) - 1932
- Started production of the accounting book organizer “Idex”
Idex (1932) - 1933
- Reorganized as a corporation (capital: 700,000 JPY, approximately 60 employees)
- 1934
- Added early model of steel desks, steel round chairs, and Idex on its catalog list.
Steel round chair (1934) - 1937
- Opened its Tokyo branch in Gofukubashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
Tokyo branch in Nihonbashi (1937)
1950-1959
Ki Ito's steel furniture created the modern office
- 1950
- The construction department was separated and established as Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd.
Izuo Factory (1950) - 1951
- Spreading the Idex card system (beginning of system development)
- 1952
- New storage/locker factory established (Osaka City)
- 1953
- Terrestrial television broadcasting begins
Nippon Computer (1953) - 1954
- Development and sale of lightweight safes
- 1956
- Introducing the Nissho type steel desk (paving the way for later various desks)
S type desk (1955) 
Asahi Broadcasting Steel Desk (1957) - 1957
- Moved Tokyo branch to Ginza 1-chome.
- 1958
- Tokyo Tower completed
- 1959
- Osaka branch building completed
Osaka branch building
1960-1969
Good design and good system ITOKI
- 1960
- Exhibited for the first time at the International Trade Fair (5th Osaka)
Establishment of three major systems: filing, bill accounting, and office layout.1960 Establishment of three major systems: filing, bill accounting, and office layout.
In the 1950s, underpinned by high economic growth, not only factories began to automate, but offices began to need rationalization as they expanded in size. As a document management system for modern management, Itoki created the trend that ``the first step in streamlining office work is a filing system,'' and contributed to the efficient operation of office work and the improvement of the work environment, especially in local governments. Furthermore, by selling three major systems, we have added the "Voucher Accounting System" that eliminates posting to ledgers, and the "Office Layout" that proposes a functional arrangement of furniture, office machines, equipment, etc. centered on the desk. This led to the establishment of the Itoki name.
- 1961
- Established a new safe/fireproof safe factory (Osaka/Moriguchi City)
Established Itoki All Steel Co., Ltd.
Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. is listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange. - 1962
- Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. is listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Newly established home furniture sales department (Home Furniture Department)
Exhibited at an overseas exhibition for the first time (San Francisco Office Equipment Exhibition sponsored by JETRO)
Home desk, student desk announcement
Junior Desk (1962) - 1963
- New desk factory established (Osaka)
First overseas sales agency established (Malaya, Singapore)
Established Itoki System Laboratory
Itoki Shoten Co., Ltd. changed its name to Itoki Co., Ltd.
desk factory - 1964
- Tokyo Olympics held
- 1964
- Established company motto “We at Itoki”
Company motto: “We at Itoki” - 1965
- 1st Itoki Show held
1st Itoki Show - 1966
- Established Itoki Toko Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
- 1967
- Birth of the catchphrase “Good Design Good System”
- 1968
- Kasumigaseki Building completed
- 1968
- Established a new steel shelf/partition factory (Kyoto)
Start of transition to new color “Human Brown”
Steel/partition factory 
Nioh (1968) - 1969
- Technical partnership with U.S. Supreme (mobile shelves)
Established Itoki Service Co., Ltd. (currently Itoki Osaka Construction Center Co., Ltd.) (indoor office maintenance work, office layout construction supervision)
1970-1979
Office planning promoted by ITOKI
- 1970
- Japan World Exposition (Osaka Expo) held
- 1970
- Steel house exhibited at the Lifestyle Industry Hall at the Japan World Exposition
System Laboratory renamed Itoki Research Institute
Newly established cabinet factory (Kyoto) - 1971
- Technical partnership with U.S. Supreme (automatic electronic filing system)
Systema Conserve launches storage type Moo Rack
Technical partnership with U.S. Reflector Company (store display fixtures)
PR magazine “OFFICE REPORT” launched
Flexiwall FC (1971) - 1972
- Established a new cabinet and mechatronics equipment factory (Shiga)
Cabinet and mechatronic equipment factory 
Systematribe (1972) - 1973
- Itoki Show held (Tokyo/Osaka). The theme is "New Office Planning Philosophy"
Modulus released
Modulus (1973) - 1974
- 1st oil shock
- 1974
- Acquired management rights to Fuji Living Industry Co., Ltd. (manufacturing of meeting chairs and tables)
PR magazine “OFFICE LIFE” launched - 1975
- "Office Plan Center" launched
Office plan center completed in Shibuya, Tokyo 
Freedom Chair (1975) - 1976
- 14 items selected for G Mark selection, highest score in furniture and facility categories (Freedom Chair, Honeyline, Modulus, Conference Table)
Promighty (1976) - 1977
- Technical partnership with Switzerland's Vivo, research equipment furniture system launched
- 1978
- 2nd oil shock
- 1978
- Succeeded in domestic production of electronically controlled safe deposit boxes (ESCS)
Research equipment (1978) - 1979
- Itoki Grand Show held (Tokyo Sunshine City Cultural Center and 17 other venues)
Invited Mr. D. Jaeger, leader of the Quickborner team who is an advocate of "office landscape"1979: Invited Mr. D. Jaeger, leader of the Quickborner team who is an advocate of "office landscape".
It can be said that the company that created the origins of modern office design was the office planning consultancy company, Quickborner Team. They believed that the essence of office work lies in information and communication, and proposed an office that differed from the traditional geometric layout, and their idea was called the ``office landscape.'' Itoki invited Dieter Jaeger, the leader of the Quick Boner team, to hold lectures and seminars on office planning for managers and architectural experts. At the time, the idea of thinking about office space from the perspective of management efficiency, which is similar to modern facility management, was accepted as innovative.
Itokisho (Tokyo/Sunshine City)
1980～1989
New office and Itoki
- 1980
- Technical partnership with OpenArc of the Netherlands for ``Vertebra Chair''
We entered into a technical partnership with OpenArc and began development of the Vertebra chair. - 1981
- G Mark Furniture Category Grand Prize Winner ``Promighty Electronic Lock Type''
Vertebra Chair (1981) 
Thinline cabinet (1981) - 1982
- TQC (company-wide quality control) introduced
Up to 38 items selected as G Mark selected products
Acquired management rights to Ueda Shoji Co., Ltd. (comprehensive wholesale of household furniture, sales of nursing care products)
Auto Rack (1982) - 1983
- Established a new chair factory (Kyoto)
- 1984
- Publication of “Designing the Future of the Office”
Established Itoki Systems Singapore Co., Ltd. (Singapore local subsidiary)
Itoki of America (I.O.A.) established (US subsidiary)
Established Itoki Engineering Center Co., Ltd.
Designing the future of the office 
High Office Line (1984) - 1985
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Itoki CI system introduced. Announcement of the symbol mark, symbol logo, Japanese company name logo, corporate colors, and new company flag at the founding anniversary ceremony.
1985 Itoki CI system introduced. Announcement of the symbol mark, symbol logo, Japanese company name logo, corporate colors, and new company flag at the founding anniversary ceremony.
Itoki's CI was introduced in 1985 with the theme of "creating an environment where people can make the most of their lives." The core symbol mark, with nine ascending strokes representing the completion and maximum of ITOKI's "I", expresses the corporate and individual character that will be required of future offices. The logotype is a combination of two "I"s and one "O", expressing the desire for stability between the company and its customers. In addition, the symbol color is Itoki orange as the main color, green and blue, and is an image of the office of the future where people can be brought to their full potential through harmony, tension, and energy.
- 1986
- Enforcement of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act
- 1986
- Office wear designed by Junko Koshino released
New electronics factory established (Shiga)
Publication of "Actual Filing System"
electronic equipment factory - 1987
- "ITOKI PRESENTATION'87" held
Appointed professional Ayako Okamoto as CF
Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. was listed as the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Stock Exchange.
Launch of PR magazines “Office Age” and “New Office Life”
ITOKI PRESENTATION'87 (Akasaka Prince Hotel) 
Office Age - 1988
- G Mark Category Grand Prize Winner (KARE Desk System)
1st Itoki Classic held
Issuance of US dollar-denominated bonds with pre-emption rights
1st Itoki Classic 
FG panel (1988) 
Biotable (1988) 
Systema Streamer (1988) 
Assortment line CR desk (1988) - 1989
- Introduction of consumption tax
- 1989
- Osaka New Office Gallery completed
Received the Deming Prize (Implementation Award)
100th anniversary celebration1989 Deming Prize (Implementation Award) Winner
A quality control method called TQM (total quality management) was proposed in the United States in the 1980s, and has been actively researched in Japan, especially in the manufacturing industry. In 1982, the former Itoki Clebio introduced a quality control method called TQC, which became the basis of TQM. We have striven for comprehensive quality control in all processes, from product planning and design to manufacturing and sales and after-sales service. In 1989, our achievements were recognized and we received the Deming Prize (Implementation Award), which is given to companies that are recognized for significantly improving performance through comprehensive quality management. We have gained recognition for our corporate activities that prioritize quality and improvement for our customers.
Osaka New Office Gallery
1990～1999
Over 100 years since our founding, we aim to create offices for the 21st century.
- 1990
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Kevin Roach lecture held to commemorate 100th anniversary of founding
Announcement of “ITOKI New Color Program”1990 Kevin Roach lecture held to commemorate 100th anniversary of founding
Itoki celebrated its 100th anniversary on December 10, 1989. Prior to this, we opened the Osaka New Office Gallery in October to introduce the office environment in its real form. Furthermore, in August 1990, a historical museum was opened on the second floor of the Heiji Building, located in Hiranomachi 2-chome, the birthplace of Itoki. Here, early catalogs and original products such as Zeniaiki are displayed, and it is a place where you can feel the company's philosophy, which has remained unchanged since its founding. In addition, at the 100th anniversary lecture, we will demonstrate our presence as a pioneer in office creation by inviting Kevin Roach, winner of the Pritzker Prize, known as the Nobel Prize of architecture, to propose new offices in a variety of ways. I appealed.
Exhibited at the international office furniture trade fair "Orgatec"1990 “Itoki New Color Program” announced
Until the mid-1980s, offices were designed with priority given to form and function. Color began to be recognized as another design element. Therefore, Itoki contracted with CDM (Castelli Design Milano), which is headed by Mr. Clino Castelli, who has worked on color system development for automobile manufacturers and other companies. We announced the ``Itoki New Color System'' as a color system of color, material, and finish as the three elements of color coordination in office furniture. In 1990 (Heisei 2), we held a lecture by Mr. Castelli and exhibited products such as Assorted Line, Vertebra Chair, and Thinline Cabinet that adopted the color system, promoting the color Itoki.
Itoki Co., Ltd. is listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange. - 1992
- Itoki Hawaiian Ladies Open held
Chair factory completed (Shiga)
Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. changed its name to Itoki Krebio Co., Ltd.
New head office building completed
Amelia Chair (1992) 
New head office building completed - 1994
- Partnered with U.S. Irwin Seating Co., Ltd. and began importing and selling seats for theaters and stadiums.
Received TPM Excellence Award (Class 1)
Established Itoki Construction Center Co., Ltd. (office interior maintenance work, office layout construction supervision)
Raised floor LAF-S500 (1994) - 1995
- Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake
- 1995
- Publication of "Safety Office"
safety office - 1996
- Vibration test chamber installed
PR magazine “corporate design” launched
vibration test chamber 
corporate design 
Aero Master (1996) 
CZ Desk (1996) 
FZ Panel (1996) - 1997
- Kyoto Conference to Prevent Planet Warming held
- 1997
- Technical partnership with Waldner AG of Germany (research equipment)
"Office Cost Aggressive Strategy" published
Office cost offensive strategy - 1998
- Product management department receives ISO9001 audit registration ●
ISO9001/14001 audit registration (4 business divisions/2 sites) ●
Acquired management rights of Shimasobi Co., Ltd. (Processing and sales of office furniture, office supplies, and interior decoration products/contracting of pipe work and electrical work) - 1999
- Business management department has ISO14001 audit registration ●
Launch of PR magazine “Udeco Style”
New panel factory established (Osaka)1999 PR magazine “Udeco Style” launched
Itoki has always enlightened office theory from a variety of perspectives, such as by launching ``OFFICE LIFE'' in 1974 (Showa 49) and ``OFFICE AGE'' in 1987 (Showa 62). We launched the magazine ``Udeco Style'' in 1999 (Heisei 11) to convey the message of ``Ud & Eco style'', which was set up as a 21st century concept for creating an environment where people are the main players. The first issue featured a contribution from Elaine Ostrov, one of the proponents of the ``Seven Principles of Universal Design,'' and 19 issues have been published as of June 2009. We provide the latest information on universal design and eco-design.
panel factory 
Torino Chair (1999) 
Comnet Table (1999)
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※ISO related notation
● Former Itoki Krebio Co., Ltd.
● Former Itoki Co., Ltd.
2000～
Ud & Eco style that ITOKI will convey from now on
- 2000
- Established Itoki Technical Service Co., Ltd. (maintenance and management services for various equipment and equipment systems)
Establishment of “Itoki Environmental Policy”
Started online shopping business - 2001
- ISO14001 company-wide integrated audit registration ●
Completed ISO9001 inspection and registration for all offices ●
momotaro (2001) - 2002
- ISO14001 company-wide integrated audit registration ●
Established Jinmei (Suzhou) Commercial Equipment Co., Ltd. (currently Novo Workstyle Co., Ltd.) (China joint venture)
Entering the nursing care business
Acquired management rights to Timec Co., Ltd. (electric rotating storage/semiconductor equipment manufacturing)
Jinmei (Suzhou) Commercial Equipment Co., Ltd. (currently Novo Workstyle Co., Ltd.) - 2003
- Established Itoki Market Space Co., Ltd. (sales of store fixtures/store planning)
- 2004
- Established Eco Branding Co., Ltd.
Exhibited at the international office furniture trade fair "Orgatec 2004"
Orgatec 2004 
Infuse (2004) 
Glass Partition X (2004) - 2005
- Japan International Exposition (Aichi Expo) held
Enforcement of the Personal Information Protection Act - 2005
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Itoki Crebio Co., Ltd. and Itoki Co., Ltd. merged and changed the company name to Itoki Co., Ltd.
Newly established Shiga Logistics Center2005 Itoki Crebio Co., Ltd. and Itoki Co., Ltd. merged and changed the company name to Itoki Co., Ltd.
Itoki Shoten was founded in Osaka in 1890 (Meiji 23). In 1908 (Meiji 41), the manufacturing department was established, and in 1950 (Showa 25), the department became independent as Itoki Kosakusho Co., Ltd. It later manufactured office equipment and steel furniture as ITOKI CORPORATION, while the sales department had been operating for many years as ITOKI CORPORATION, Ltd. The two companies were merged in 2005 (Heisei 17). The new Itoki was started with the aim of further pursuing the spirit of "being ahead of the times" and "inspirational value" that has been the foundation of the company.
ISO14001 audit registration (manufacturing and sales comprehensive certification)
Shiga Logistics Center 
Tacit Chair (2005) - 2006
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Interlink (2006) - 2007
- Good Design Gold Award (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award) winner “Spina Chair”
Established Itoki Thailand Co., Ltd. (local subsidiary in Thailand)
Public presentation of grand prize candidates 
Spina chair (2007) - 2008
- Partnered with Orange Box (UK) and started selling Spina chairs overseas.
Established Itoki Hokkaido Co., Ltd. (sales of office equipment, fixtures, and equipment/sales, design, construction, etc. of store fixtures)
LAN sheet won the Good Design Gold Award (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award)
Established Itoki Design Co., Ltd. (US subsidiary)2008 Good Design Gold Award (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award) (LAN sheet)
The Good Design Award is recognized by many as Japan's only comprehensive evaluation and recommendation movement for design, which is now in demand in all fields and fields. Itoki won the Good Design Gold Award (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award) for the Spina Chair in 2007 and the LAN Seat in 2008. The Spina Chair has a new mechanism designed for comfort and a fin structure made of elastomer resin, and the LAN Seat has been praised for its advanced concept of "two-dimensional communication" and futuristic design, proving Itoki's high product development capabilities. became.
orange box head office 
LAN Sheet (2008) - 2009
- Newly established Chiba factory (Chiba)
Chiba factory - 2010
- Celebrating 120th anniversary of founding
Capital and business alliance with Dalton Co., Ltd.
Adopted for the Ministry of the Environment's carbon offset model project
Econifa (2010) - 2011
- Started introducing carbon footprint into office products
Announcement of new brand “joyten” for overseas markets - 2012
- Energy saving and comfortable lighting system "Ektal" selected for Energy Saving/Lighting Design Award 2011 (sponsored by Ministry of the Environment)
Spina's carbon offset project won the Excellence Award at the 1st Carbon Offset Awards.
ITOKI Tokyo Innovation Center SYNQA opened
Good Design Award Best 100 Winner “Kakomi”
Kakomi (2012) - 2013
- Shaw Contract Group 2013 Design is...Award Global Winner "SYNQA"
- 2014
- Part 3: Extend your healthy lifespan! Award
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award for Excellence ``Work Size'' - 2015
- Established Itoki Modern Form Co., Ltd. (Thailand joint venture)
- 2016
- Good Design Award Best 100 Winner “S Cabinet”
“Zeniaiki” certified as Japan Machinery Heritage
Tarcus Interiors Co., Ltd. (Singapore) becomes a subsidiary
FLIP FLAP Chair (2016) - 2017
- Established Novo Workstyle Co., Ltd. (China)
Established Knoll Japan Co., Ltd. (joint venture)
iF Design Award 2017 Gold Award/Red Dot Design Award 2017 Winner “FLIP FLAP Chair ”2017 iF Design Award 2017 Gold Award/Red Dot Design Award 2017 Winner (FLIP FLAP Chair)
FLIP FLAP Chair FLIP FLAP Chair released in 2016, won an international design award. The iF Design Award is a globally prestigious design award that has been held since 1953 by the Industrie Forum Design Hannover (iF), an international design promotion organization based in Hannover, Germany. FLIP FLAP Chair received the highest gold award in the product design category. The Red Dot Design Award is an international product design award sponsored by the North Rhine-Westphalia Design Center in Essen, Germany. The innovativeness and originality of FLIP FLAP Chair 's concept and design attracted attention, and ITOKI's high product development capabilities and design were highly praised around the world.
- 2018
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ITOKI TOKYO XORK opened
Established Global Treehouse Co., Ltd.`` We Design Tomorrow. We Design WORK-Style.” is newly released from Nihonbashi.
In the fall of 2018, ITOKI consolidated its offices in the Tokyo metropolitan area and moved to Japan Bridge as a new head office. The name of the facility is "ITOKI TOKYO XORK".
In order to evolve the conventional work style "WORK" to the next dimension, it is multiplied by the "X" following the "W" of the alphabet.
We are implementing the next-generation WorkStyle, which consists of ABW, a comprehensive workstyle strategy that maximizes the capabilities of workers, and WELL Building Standard ™, a building and indoor environment evaluation system that focuses on the health and comfort of workers. We will disseminate the various knowledge and know-how generated from the demonstration experiments to society. - 2019
- “ITOKI TOKYO XORK” obtained “WELL Certification Gold (Interior)”
Itoki's original school bag "QNORQ" is born.
Sequa Chair (2019) 
QuA Chair (2019) - 2020
- 130th anniversary of founding
- 2021
- Publish new integrated report
Integrated report 
Olika Chair (2021) - 2022
- Certified as a Health and Productivity Management Excellent Company (White 500) for six consecutive years
Obtained "CASBEE-Smart Wellness Office Certification"
(Jointly acquired by the Nihonbashi Takashimaya Mitsui Building Management Association, ITOKI CORPORATION, and Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.)
Shiga Factory AP Center completed
Shiga Factory AP Center 
torteU chair (2022)
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※ISO related notation
● Former Itoki Krebio Co., Ltd.
● Former Itoki Co., Ltd.