Our History
Propose a new one Aluminum effect pigments
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From an unfamiliar sample can to a world-changing product
Our company has had extensive relationships with the coating industry since our founding, and after discovering an unfamiliar sample can that had been sleeping away in the corner of a warehouse, we created a detailed sketch of its label and took it back with us for research. We firmly believed this would be a product that would change the industry significantly, so we used our connections to negotiate directly with the original Canadian manufacturer and began handling its distribution in Japan.
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Bringing the color of brilliance to manufacturing
Aluminum effect pigment would first come to be adopted by a major paint manufacturer and was then used everywhere in Japan, including large shipping vessels, bridges, and the Nagoya TV tower. Moreover, the homogenous metallic paint achieved by aluminum effect pigment transformed aluminum paint that had been functionally necessary into something that contributed to the “aesthetic appearance” of objects. Its near-futuristic color sparked a trend for the use of the color silver, repeatedly expanding the deployment of the product in coating colors that were essential for automobiles as well as home electronics, and contributing to innovation. |
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Run with Our Automotive Partners
Our first deals in the automobile industry began with the delivery of pipes for railway car decks to Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (currently Subaru Corporation) as a sales agent for Nagoya Rubber Co., Ltd. (currently Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.). Fuji Heavy Industries started producing Japan’s first national car, the “Subaru 360,” aiming to transform Japan into a major producer of domestic passenger cars. Our company entered the automobile industry by delivering parts such as handles. And at the time, an age in which ordinary households could achieve the Japanese dream of having passenger cars had arrived.
We collaborated with two other companies to jointly develop airbags, life-saving safety devices that are automatically equipped as standard in cars today. As a product that impacts human lives, there was no room for compromises or mistakes, and extremely high standards were required. At first, airbags were only found in the driver’s seat, but now they are installed in a wide variety of locations, and their safety performance continues to evolve. We have also participated in development from the creation of concepts as well as the planning phase, and we continue to work with manufacturers to develop next-generation technologies.
Global MATSUO China Laboratory
For our expansion into China, after repeated, thorough discussions, we established Shanghai Matsuo-Horsense Trading Co., Ltd. in 2004 with our current partners who shared our ideas and philosophies. After that, we opened more bases in Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing to cover the whole of China. We established a research laboratory for paint and coating technology that meets customer needs in collaboration with the Dongguan University of Technology, and through this laboratory, we actively promote analysis, research, and development, in addition to sales.
Company Milestones
| January 1938 |
Founded as Matsuo Akira Shoten.
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July 1949
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Reorganized as Matsuo Shoten Co., Ltd. with a capital of 500,000 yen. The main products were nonferrous metals and painting materials.
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February 1954
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Became the general sales agent in Japan for the aluminium paste of International Aluminium Limited (today’s Alcan Asia Limited).
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September 1957
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Toyo Aluminium K.K. started domestic production of aluminum effect pigment. As their sales agent, the company worked to expand the sales.
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October 1957
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Became a sales agent for Nagoya Rubber Co., Ltd. (today’s Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.) and advanced into the field of synthetic resin molded products.
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September 1964
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Renamed to Matsuo Sangyo Co., Ltd.
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July 1970
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Opened a representative office in Taiwan to expand the import-export business.
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March 1976
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Became a sales agent for SUMITA Optical Glass MFG. Co., Ltd. (today’s SUMITA OPTICAL GLASS, Inc.) and started to sell optical fibers.
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April 1984
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Received investment from Osaka Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation Co., Ltd. and boosted its capital to 105 million yen.
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April 1995
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Formed a consortium with Itoh Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. and advanced into the business field of vapor deposition.
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July 2000
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Boosted its paid-up capital to 310 million yen.
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April 2002
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Won the “2001 Supplier of the Year Award” from General Motors Company (GM) in the U.S.
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February 2004
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The headquarters, Tokyo Branch, Nagoya Branch, and Ota Branch obtained ISO14001 certification.
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November 2004
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Established the subsidiary Shanghai Matsuo-Horsense Trading. Co., Ltd. in Shanghai in China.
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May 2006
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Established the subsidiary Thai Matsuo Co., Ltd. in Thailand.
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November 2006
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The headquarters, Tokyo Branch, Nagoya Branch, Ota Branch, and Shinjo Office obtained ISO9001 certification.
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November 2007
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Established the subsidiary Guangzhou Matsuo-Horsense Trading Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou in China.
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September 2008
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Established the subsidiary Tianjin Matsuo-Horsense Trading Co., Ltd. in Tianjin in China.
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March 2009
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Established the subsidiary Chongqing Matsuo-Horsense Trading Co., Ltd. in Chongqing in China.
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August 2011
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Established the subsidiary PT. Matsuo Indonesia in Indonesia.
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January 2014
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Established the subsidiary Matsuo Sangyo (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd in Malaysia.
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April 2021
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Established DIAM Co., Ltd
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