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Company History
PDF printouts of each topic
PDFs of the main topics from five eras are available.
- Feb. 6, 1936
- The sensitized paper division of Rikagaku Kogyo split off to be established as Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. (–1938)
- Mar. 1950
- Launches the Ricohflex III camera, which spurred the popularization of cameras.
- Nov. 1955
- Introduced Ricoh's first diazo copier, “Ricopy 101.“
- Apr. 1962
- Numazu Plant, Japan, formed. It features the world's first fully integrated production system of sensitized paper.
- May. 1962
- Ohmori Plant and General Research Laboratory completed.
- Nov. 1962
- Introduces the “Ricoh Auto Half“, a half frame camera that proves to be a massive hit
- Apr. 1963
- Changes corporate name to Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Sep. 1965
- Introduces the “Ricopy BS-1“ as its first electrostatic copier
- Jan. 1970
- Ricoh of America, Inc. established in New Jersey ( running until 1984), through integration of New York office and Ricoh Industries U.S.A., Inc.
- Mar. 1970
- Ricoh Pavilion appears at Japan Expo '70 with theme "Better Vision for Humanity".
- Apr. 1971
- Ricoh introduces the “RICOM 8”, the first office computer.
- Apr. 1973
- "RIFAX 600S", first high-speed facsimile machine for offices, succeeds in transmission between Tokyo and New York via satellite communications.
- Feb. 1975
- Ricoh launches the “RICOPY DT1200”, a wet-type plain-paper machine that becoming the world's top-selling copier.
- Nov. 1975
- Ricoh becomes the first recipient for the Deming Prize in the office automation industry.
- Jun. 1982
- Ricoh introduces the “RICOPY FT4060”, the first dry-toner plain-paper copier.
- Dec. 1983
- Ricoh UK Products Ltd. founded.
- Apr. 1986
- Ricoh founds Ricoh Research and Development Center in Yokohama in commemoration of 50th year of operations.
- Jun. 1987
- Releases the IMAGIO 320 office-use digital copier
- Sep. 1989
- Ricoh signs a contract of the Worldwide Sponsorship in facsimile machine category for 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
- Oct. 1990
- Introduces ARTAGE 8000, Ricoh’s first digital color copier
- Mar. 1995
- Ricoh wins top award from Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry for environmental activities, product assessment and recyclable design.
- May. 1995
- Launches the Ricoh DC-1, Ricoh’s first digital camera
- Aug. 1996
- Launches the imagio MF200, low-priced, space-saving digital copier
- Dec. 1999
- Ricoh receives Japan Quality Award.
- Feb. 2001
- Ricoh receives Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for the advanced environmental friendliness of the "imagio Neo 350 series".
- Oct. 2001
- Inaugurates the Ichimura Nature School Kanto for youth education and development
- Aug. 2005
- Ricoh Technology Center established in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
- Oct. 2006
- Construction of mass-production plant for polymerized toner,"PxP toner", completed at Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
- Dec. 2006
- Major new billboard lights up a top the San-ai Dream Center, Ginza, Tokyo.
- Nov.2007
- Ricoh Technology Center wins the Nikkei Manufacturing Award, first in the Ricoh Group.
- Oct. 2008
- Ricoh enters the color Print-On-Demand market and introduces a color producton printer,“the Ricoh Pro C900”.
- Sep. 2009
- Releases Ricoh’s first reconditioned digital full-color MFPs, the “imagio MP C3500RC/C2500RC series”
- Apr. 2010
- Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business Opens.
- Feb. 2011
- Ricoh enters the Unified Communication System Business.
- Oct. 2011
- Establishes PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
- Oct. 2013
- Launches RICOH THETA, the world’s first imaging device that captures fully spherical views.*
*As a mass-produced, consumer product capable of capturing the scene around, above and below the device in a fully spherical image (as of October 2013, based on Ricoh Imaging Company Ltd. research).
- Sep. 2014
- Launches the additive manufacturing (AM) business
- Mar. 2015
- Released , an industrial stereo camera which can take accurate and speedy 3D measurements. (Ricoh Industrial Solutions, Co., Ltd.)
- Apr. 2015
- Ricoh’s VCSEL receives the Science and Technology Award
- Aug. 2015
- Opened RICOH Future House, a commercial facility which offers solutions and services for supporting development and growth of local communities.
- Feb. 2016
- “RIFAX 600S” was honored by The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan as one of the “One Step on Electro-Technology” products in 2016
- Mar. 2016
- Entered the healthcare solutions field
- Apr. 2016
- RICOH Eco Business Development Center opened