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Company History

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PDFs of the main topics from five eras are available.

1936 - 1969

Starting out — entering the business machine field

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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
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1970 - 1984

Coining Office Automation acronym

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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.
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1985 - 1999

Driving digitization

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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.
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2000 - 2009

Going global

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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”
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2010 - Present

Creating New Value

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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
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TOP 1936 - 1969 1970 - 1984 1985 - 1999 2000 - 2009 2010 - Present