History

In 1905, the general partnership trading company Suzuki Shoten acquired a steel business in Wakinohama, Kobe, called Kobayashi Seikosho, operated by Seiichiro Kobayashi, and changed its name to Kobe Seikosho.
Then, in 1911, Suzuki Shoten spun off the company to establish Kobe Steel Works, Ltd. at Wakinohamacho, Kobe.

Years Contents

1900

Establishment of the Group and development of business foundation for expansion of Japanese steel industry

After the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese Navy adopted a policy of developing privatesector factories. The Group expanded its scale by receiving technical guidance and orders from the Kure, Maizuru, and Yokosuka Naval Arsenals.
  • 1905
  • Established
  • Begins steel casting and forging business
  • 1914
  • Begins machinery business
    Begins first domestic development of air compressors
  • 1916
  • Begins steel products business
  • 1917
  • Begins copper business
  • 1926
  • Begins engineering business
    Completes Japan’s first cement plant
  • 1930
  • Begins construction machinery business
    Completes first domestically produced electric mining shovel

1905

  • 1937
  • Listed on the stock market
  • Begins aluminum business
  • 1940
  • Begins welding business
    Produces the first welding electrodes in Japan

1950

Early resumption of steel production after the war and establishment of a position as a pioneer in the industrialization of titanium

Wire rod production resumed for the reconstruction of Japan within three months after the end of the war.
In 1949, we began Japan’s first research and development of titanium, and in 1955 we began industrial production. Our Company, a pioneer in titanium, has grown into a comprehensive manufacturer of titanium, from melting to final products.
  • 1955
  • Achieves first industrial production of titanium metal in Japan
  • 1959
  • Establishes integrated steel production
  • 1960
  • Opens office in New York

1950

Building the foundation for integrated management of steel, nonferrous metals, and machinery;
Overseas expansion of the KOBELCO brand

We developed diverse businesses and built the foundation for integrated management through the establishment of Kakogawa Works for integrated steel production, the start of the direct reduction ironmaking plant business, etc.
In addition, the establishment of the KOBELCO brand has increased recognition of the Group’s technologies, products, and business activities both in Japan and overseas.
  • 1962
  • Begins overseas plant business
    Japan’s first plant export (East Pakistan, currently Bangladesh)

1905

  • 1968
  • Establishes production base in Thailand
  • 1970
  • Completes Kakogawa Works

1905

  • 1975
  • Introduces automated guideway transit (AGT) system
    Begins operation of AGT system “KRT” at Okinawa International Ocean Exposition
  • 1979
  • Establishes KOBELCO as international unified trademark
  • Develops ARCMAN™ welding robot

1905

  • 1983
  • Acquires U.S. company Midrex Technologies, Inc.
    Begins direct reduction ironmaking plant business

1905

  • 1988
  • Establishes U.S. headquarters
  • 1990
  • Establishes manufacturing and sales base for automotive hot-dip galvanized steel sheet in the U.S.

1950

From disaster recovery to improved competitiveness; Contributing to the restoration of local communities with a new style of urban power plant

The Company suffered the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. The blast furnace at the former Kobe Works (the current Kobe Wire Rod & Bar Plant) was severely damaged but restored in two and a half months. It became a symbol of Kobe’s post-earthquake reconstruction.
In 2002, we began the electric power business, leveraging our in-house power generation knowhow of the ironmaking business. To date, we have been contributing to the improvement of the power supply rate in Kobe City and the Hanshin area.
  • 1996
  • Enters wholesale power supply (IPP) business
  • 2000
  • Establishes Corporate Code of Ethics
  • 2002
  • Starts commercial operations of Kobe Power Plant No. 1 unit

1905

  • 2004
  • Establishes manufacturing and sales base for standard compressors in China
  • Starts commercial operations of Kobe Power Plant No. 2 unit

2005

Strengthening Group management and business structures for the next 100 years

In 2005, our Group celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. In order to further enhance the collective strengths of the KOBELCO Group, we have strengthened the Group management and business structures, including the establishment of overseas regional headquarters.
  • 2006
  • Establishes corporate philosophy
  • Starts operations of special steel wire rod processing base for automobiles in China
  • Starts operations of aluminum forging plant for automotive suspension products in the U.S.
  • Establishes manufacturing and sales base for nonstandard compressors in the U.S.
  • 2009
  • Establishes China headquarters
  • 2014
  • Establishes manufacturing and sales base for automotive cold-rolled, high-tensile strength steel in China
  • 2016
  • Begins producing aluminum panel material at Tianjin plant in China
    Becomes first Japanese company in China to produce automotive aluminum panel material

1905

  • Begins Electric Power Business

1905

2020

Taking on the challenge of realizing carbon neutrality to achieve a sustainable society

In 2021, our Group set its 2030 target and 2050 vision from the two aspects of reducing CO2 emissions in production processes and contributing to reduction of CO2 emissions through its distinctive technologies, products, and services. We will implement various measures aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in respective businesses.
  • 2017
  • Launches Next 100 Project
  • Announces quality misconduct and establishes measures to prevent recurrence
  • Establishes headquarters in Southeast Asia and South Asia
  • Consolidates upstream processes at Kakogawa Works

1905

  • Acquires Quintus Technologies of Sweden
    (the world's leading isostatic press manufacturer)

1905

  • 2018
  • Establishes production and sales base (KPEX) in the U.S. for aluminum extrusions and fabricated products
  • 2019
  • Establishes regional headquarters in Europe
  • Starts commercial operations of Moka Power Plant No. 1 and No. 2 units
  • 2020
  • Formulates Group Corporate Philosophy
  • 2021
  • Announces KOBELCO Group Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2021–2023)
  • Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary
  • Starts commercial operations of Kobe Power Plant No. 3 unit
  • 2022
  • Announces the launch of low-CO2 blast furnace steel product Kobenable Steel
  • Begins capital and business alliance with Miura Co., Ltd.
  • Scheduled to start commercial operations of Kobe Power Plant No. 4 unit

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