corporate history | Corporate profile | OGURA Jewel Industry for processing sapphire & diamond

April 25, 1894	Isaburo Ogura, founder, succeeded in machining jewels for aiming device of discharging torpedo by the demand from Japan Ministry of Navy. This became the first model using jewels in the domestic industry and the year of foundation of our company.
1897	Succeeded in producing bearings of red glass for domestic watch.
1904	Succeeded in industrial precision machining of agates, and afterwards implemented technology of machining diamond for the first time in Japan and started mass production.
1917	Established Head Office in Toko-cho (present Chuo-ku) and started production of bearing of sapphire and ruby.
1923	Head factory was burnt out by Great Kanto Earthquakes and closed the factory for a while.
1924	Re-opened the head factory in Akasakatamachi, Akasaka-ku (present Minato-ku). And started producing ruby bearings for automatic railway signals.
1928	Moved the head factory to Tsukiji, Kyobashi-ku (present Chuo-ku).
1931	Developed machines for precision machining like polishing jewel bearings, polishing flat surface, perforation, etc.
1933	Started producing jewel bearings for aircraft meters for the military.
1938	Move the head factory to Iriarai, Omori-ku (present Ota-ku, current place) and changed the company name to OGURA Jewel Meter Factory, LTD. Kaemon Ogura was assigned to president and representative director.
1940	Appointed to be a controlled factory by Army and Navy.
1946	Reopened the factory and produced jewels for ornaments for a while. Restarted production of jewel bearings for various measurement instruments.
1947	From NHK OGURA received orders of sapphire cutter styli for recording and playing. Produced record styli for consumer use.
1948	Developed and started production of diamond styli for record players.
1949	Increased capital to 1.2 Million Japanese Yen.
1952	Increase capital to 10 Million Japanese Yen.
1960	Succeeded in developing a joint forming type of diamond record styli. Applied the patent in Japan, USA, Great Britain, Germany and Switzerland.
1961	Increased capital to 30 Million Japanese Yen. Developed a vitrified bond diamond tool.
1962	Built the Saitama factory in Gyoda-city in Saitama (present Saitama factory) and started operation.
1963	Increased capital to 50 Million Japanese Yen.
1964	Acquired the patent of the production method of diamond joint forming type record styli (in Japan, USA, Great Britain, Germany and Switzerland).
1966	Changed the company name to OGURA Jewel Industry CO., LTD. Developed a probe for measurement instruments for roughness of surface and started production
1967	Completed a production method for synthetic diamond joint-forming type record styli.
1970	Developed a spinner for Draw Texuring Machine and jewel guide for Yarn route, and started sales.
1971	Developed and started sales of PM type of diamond styli for 4 channel Stereo record players.
1972	Developed and started sales of CED type (for RCA, USA) diamond styli for playing video discs.
1973	Established Factory of OGURA Jewel Industry in Monbetsu, Hokkaido.
1974	Kozaburo Ogura was appointed to representative director and president. Kaemon Ogura was appointed to representative director and chairman.
1976	Established an electronic division, and developed and started sales of “Spin Mate”, an original handy type of revolution counter. Developed and stated sales of ruby guide for dot-type printer and treeing needle.
1977	Developed and started sales of “RAMMASTER System”, a handy type of memorizing measurement instrument. Developed and started of sales handler guide .
1978	Develop a precision positioning control device. Acquired a patent of the vital needle (diamond styli for record player) Kaemon Ogura, retired from chairman and representative director.
1979	Developed and stated sales of a bonding capillary (ruby) for production of semiconductors. Started sales of the vitrified bond diamond wheel, so called Earnest Boy, for grinding PCD.
1980	Develop and started sales of styli of Video disc for CED and VHD as well. Developed and started sales of a data processing system and a central incentive monitoring system. Develop and started sales of penetrator for testing hardness.
1981	NPS Study Group established. OGURA started the group as one of chartered members
1982	Developed and started sales of Diamond Pen. Develop and started sales of the diamond wire guide for wire EDM machine, and applied the patent. Developed and started sales of fine ceramics products. Developed and started sales of the coil winding nozzle.
1983	Developed and started sales of Vitrified bond CBN wheel, “Earnest Boy”. Developed and started sales of a computer system to make pattern of weaving machine, called “DOBI COM”. Developed and started sales of Weight Pack System, a data processing system for business operation. Developed and started sales of a guide of fine alumina ceramics for dot printers.
1984	Developed an started sales of FC type compatible optical connector (OCN-0, OCN-1, OCN-2). Develop and started sales of micro surgical knife (ruby, sapphire). Developed and started sales of sapphire laser rod and a needle chip. Developed and started sales of the check valve and plunger for liquid chromatograph. Developed and started sales of nozzles for hybrid IC drawing. Developed and started sales of “Rester”, computer controlling system for torchon lace. Developed and started sales of large type diamond and CBN wheel, “Earnest Boy”(φ250 to 450) Developed and started sales of creep feed type CBN wheel, “Earnest Boy”. Developed and started sales of guide of zirconia fine ceramics for dot printers.
1985	Developed and started sales of diamond push-up pins. Developed and started sales of diamond heat sink. Developed and started sales of high power laser connectors (OCL-1). Developed and started sales of a surgical laser knife of sapphire. Developed and started sales of Wedge Pen.
1986	Developed and started sales of push-pull type optical connector (OCP-1), span hole type optical connector (OCS-1). Published metal bridge-diamond tool (C-300). Developed and started sales of textile designing system, OGMAC OS-2. Developed and started sales of diamond wheel for grinding fruit, Earnest Boy. Developed “vital die”, fine ceramics dies for tightening Developed and started sales of probe for 3D measurement instrument.
1988	Developed and started sales of ultra-precision grinding tool of single crystal diamond. Developed and started sales of PCBN cutting tool or ultra-precision machining. Developed and started sales of “ Raku Bed” (Comfort bed) for caregiving.
1989	Developed and started sales of bonding tool and single point for TAB. Developed and started sales of sapphire cell for particle counting. Developed and started sales of dispenser nozzle.
1990	Yoshihiro Ogura, appointed to representative director and president. Kozaburo Ogura, appointed to representative director and chairman. Developed CVD-D film cutting tool for ultra-precision machining. Developed CBN Vitrified bond wheel with air vent. Developed and started sales of coating dies with new functions. Developed and started sales of conductive diamond earth needle.
1991	Established Kansan sales office in Kyoto. Developed CBN wheel for grinding cams. Developed and started sales of optical fiber allay. Developed and started sales of rotary dresser.
1992	Developed and started sales of diamond lathe center. Developed and started sales of ultra-fine single crystal diamond end mill. Developed CBN “internal” with sequent air vent. Developed and started sales of precise nozzle for sand blast.
1993	Developed and started sales of units for wire EDM machine. Developed an opposed type optical sensor. Established a new Head Office building, moving production division and integrated to Saitama factory. Kozaburo Ogura, retired from representative and chairman.
1994	100 yearth anniversary. Yoshigoro Ogura, appointed to representative director and chairman. Developed MDB (Metal Direct Bonding tool). Developed and started sales of wire guide for tapered cut by 45°. Developed and started sales of polycrystalline diamond cutting tools. Developed high precision broach.
1995	Developed and started sales of high pressure Water Jet Nozzle. Developed and started sales of multi core optical fiber, V type allay. Developed and started sales of push-up pins for production of semiconductor. Developed and started sales of nozzle for ink jet.
1996	Developed and started sales of single crystal diamond cutting tool for ultra-precision machining of grooving. Started sales of core bit Developed measuring sensor for radiation.
1997	Developed and started sales of enameling dies.
1998	Developed vitrified bond wheel “ ZERO”.
1999	Established ARGO WELLTECH CO,.LTD, a local subsidiary company in Thailand and Shanghai representative office in China.
2000	Completed 6th factory in Saitama plant. Developed and started sales of air tension unit for wire bonder.
2001	Acquired a certificate of ISO9001, 2000.
2002	Completed 8th factory in Saitama plant. Closed Ogura jewel industry Monbetsu factory in Hokkaido.
2003	Developed and started sales of special coil winding nozzle.
2004	Acquired certificates of ISO 14001 and 1996.
2005	Acquired a certificates of ISO 14001 and 2004. Developed and started sales of ultra-high precision measurement stylus.
2006	Developed and started sales of rectangular enameling dies. Kyotaro Ogura, appointed to representative director and president. Yoshihiro Ogura, appointed to representative director and chairman. Yoshigoro Ogura, retired from representative director and chairman.
2008	Yoshihiro Ogura, retired from representative director and chairman.
2010	Closed Kansai office. Acquired and updated ISO certificates ISO9001,ISO2008 Acquired and updated ISO certificates ISO14001,ISO2004.
2013	Changed settlement day to March 31, once/year.