Company History
Founded in 1875, Shimadzu looks back on a long history and tradition of know-how, research and service. Meanwhile Shimadzu has a worldwide network of subsidiaries in 76 countries.
A more detailed listing of Shimadzu’s history can be found at our Corporate Website.
2016: 60 years of making gas chromatographs
2016: Shimadzu’s history in IR spans many technological eras
2015: Shimadzu Corporation celebrates its 140th anniversary
Shimadzu Corporation was founded in Kyoto in 1875, during Japan's period of modernization. It began with Genzo Shimadzu Sr., the second son of a Buddhist altar craftsman, manufacturing physics and chemistry instruments.
Later, Shimadzu Corporation grew significantly under the leadership of Genzo's eldest son, Genzo Jr., who showed a rare talent as a remarkable inventor. In this way, Shimadzu progressed hand-in-hand with science, building itself into a leader in technology.
This culture of "Contributing to Society through Science and Technology" has been inherited by each new generation of employees at Shimadzu Corporation and now is being expanded globally through the growth of the Shimadzu Group, which continues to be rooted in science and committed to Shimadzu's management principle "Realizing Our Wishes for the Well-being of both Mankind and the Earth."
You can find more information about Shimadzu´s History in the Shimadzu Visionary and Foundation Memory Hall
Video 140 years anniversary
Shimadzu VisionaryShimadzu VisionaryShimadzu Visionary
An introduction to Shimadzu´s History, based on the technologies and events marking each era, chronicled by date.
Shimadzu Visionary (website)
Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Hall
Located at the northern end of the Takase River, the Kiyamachi-Nijo district (Japan) is the birthplace of Shimadzu Corporation and the location where Shimadzu provides a space where visitors can experience the atmosphere and history of Shimadzu's early years through story and theme-based exhibits.
Read more about the Foundation Memorial Hall (website)