FUJITSU GENERAL Group History

1936-1940s

1936
  • Yaou Shoten Ltd. established. The company that started as a manufacturer of radios, loud speakers, phonographs, and other products would evolve over the years into a manufacturer of a wide range of home appliances, including air conditioners.

1950s

1955
  • Company name changed to Yaou Denki Ltd. Kawasaki Plant (currently Fujitsu General Limited's headquarters) becomes operational.
  • Becomes listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

1960s

1960
  • Introduces the X-Line 14-inch TV.
1964
  • General Denshi Kogyo (currently Fujitsu General Electronics Ltd.) established in Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture.
1965
  • Polar region TV system installed on the Antarctic observation vessel Fuji.
1966
  • Company name changed to General Ltd.
1967
  • Shinjo Denki Ltd. (currently Shinjo Fujitsu General Ltd.) established in Shinjo, Yamagata Prefecture.
1969
  • Takes a stake in Taisei Industry Co., Ltd. [currently Fujitsu General (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.], a Taiwanese manufacturer of home appliances.

1970s

1971
  • Introduces the easy-to-install “min min” cassette air conditioner.
  • Establishes a sales network in the Middle East and Africa and begins exporting air conditioners to those regions.
1974
  • Shichinohe Plant (currently Aomori Business Office) becomes operational in Aomori Prefecture to manufacture motors for air conditioners.
1975
  • Establishes a sales network in Asia and begins exporting air conditioners to that region.
1976
  • Teknika Electronics Co. (currently Fujitsu General America, Inc.) established as an affiliate in North America.
1977
  • Teleton Electro (U.K.) Co., Ltd. [currently Fujitsu General (U.K.) Co., Ltd.] established as a sales affiliate for the European markets.
  • Chubu General (currently Hamamatsu Business Office) begins manufacturing room air conditioners and heat exchangers for export markets.
1978
  • General Colour Pty Ltd. [currently Fujitsu General (Aust.) Pty Ltd.] established as a sales affiliate in Australia.
  • GCJ Electro (Europe) GmbH [currently Fujitsu General (Euro) GmbH] established as a sales affiliate for the European markets.

1980s

1980
  • Genebras Electronica Ltda. (currently Fujitsu General do Brasil Ltda.) established as a sales affiliate for South America.
1982
  • Delivers the first wireless analog taxi-dispatching system.
1984
  • Enters into capital and business alliance with Fujitsu Ltd.
1985
  • Company name changed to Fujitsu General Ltd.(FGL)
1986
  • Delivers the first electronic emergency information system for fire prevention.
  • A new research laboratory becomes operational on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters.

1990s

1991
  • Fujitsu General (Thailand) Co., Ltd. established to manufacture air conditioners in Thailand.
  • Introduces the Mighty Compact air conditioners equipped with a lambda heat exchanger.
1993
  • Introduces the world's first 21-inch full-color plasma display.
1994
  • Fujitsu General (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. established to manufacture air conditioners in Shanghai.
1996
  • Introduces the world's first 42-inch full-color plasma display.
1997
  • Fujitsu General EMC Laboratory established to provide radio interference measurement and consulting services.
  • Fujitsu General (Asia) Pte. Ltd. established in Singapore as a sales subsidiary.
1998
  • FGA (Thailand) Co., Ltd. established to manufacture motors for air conditioners in Thailand.
  • Fujitsu General New Zealand Ltd. established in New Zealand as a sales affiliate.
  • Fujitsu General (Middle East) Fze. established as a sales affiliate for the Middle East and Africa.
1999
  • Fujitsu General Engineering (Thailand) Co., Ltd. established to step up product and technology development for air conditioners.

2000s

2000
  • Signs partnership agreement on the manufacture and sales of air conditioners in India with ETA General Private Ltd.
  • Fuji Ecocycle Ltd. established to start the recycling business of home appliances.
2001
  • Air-Conditioning Technology LTD. established as an affiliate on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters.
2002
  • Fujitsu General (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. established as a sales affiliate.
  • Delivers the first digital wireless disaster broadcasting system to a municipality.
  • Our world's first 42-inch plasma display wins an Emmy Award. (FGL discontinued its consumer display business in March 2008)
2003
  • Introduces the nocria-branded air conditioner featuring the world's first self-cleaning filters.
  • F.G.L.S. Electric Co., Ltd. established to manufacture motors in partnership with China's Little Swan Group.
2005
  • Air conditioner technology center becomes operational at Fujitsu General (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
2006
  • Fujitsu General Central Air-conditioner (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. established as a subsidiary to manufacture, market, and service VRF air conditioners in China.
  • Fujitsu General Orient International Electronics Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. established as a sales affiliate.
2007
  • Air Conditioner Technology Building becomes operational on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters.
2008
  • Introduces the industry's smallest air conditioner nocria S, measuring 72.8 cm wide and 25 cm high.
  • New plant becomes operational at Fujitsu General Central Air-conditioner (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. to bolster its manufacturing capacity for VRF air conditioners.
  • Develops 2-cylinder rotary compressors for medium- and large-capacity air conditioners. Construction begins at FGA (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to build a manufacturing facility for compressors.
  • 60-meter high test tower for VRF air conditioners becomes operational on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters.
2009
  • FGA (Thailand) Co., Ltd. begins manufacturing compressors.

2010s

2010
  • Fuji Eco Cycle Co., Ltd., which is engaged in the home appliance recycling business, relocates to the premises of Fujitsu General's Hamamatsu Business Office and begins operation of a new plant.
2011
  • Introduces the nocria Z/S series air conditioners equipped with the world's first power usage management that uses a radio frequency remote controller.
2012
  • The LT/LU series slimline air conditioners win the 2012 iF Product Design Award and the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2012 in Germany.
  • FGA (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Toshiba Carrier Corporation merge to establish TCFG Compressor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to manufacture compressors for air conditioners.
2013
  • Introduces the nocria X series air conditioners equipped with DUAL BLASTER® airflow control.
  • Fujitsu General Electronics Ltd. begins operation of a new plant in Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture.
2014
  • Introduces in China and Japan an air purifier and humidifier combo equipped with electric dust collection and self-regenerating deodorizing unit.
2016
  • Company name of United Kingdom air conditioner sales and service company changed from F.G Eurofred Limited to Fujitsu General Air Conditioning (U.K.) Limited.
  • Fujitsu General Laboratories Limited established to replace Fujitsu General Institute of Air-Conditioning Technology Limited and step up research and development of advanced technologies for the Fujitsu General Group.
  • R&D center becomes operational in Fujitsu General Engineering (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
  • Begins collaboration with Rheem Manufacturing Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer of air conditioners and water heaters, on the air conditioner business in the U.S.
2017
  • R&D centers become operational in European- and U.S.-based subsidiaries.
  • Signs agreement with G.I. Holding S.p.A., an Italian air conditioner manufacturer, to begin joint development of commercial air conditioners.
  • Begins collaboration with Ventacity Systems Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of ventilation system, on commercial air conditioning systems.
2018
  • Fujitsu General (India) Private Limited established.
  • Introduces the J-III L series multi-split air conditioners for stores and offices in Europe.
  • Introduces the world's first 3D flow cassette type air conditioner that distributes airflow evenly throughout the room from multiple moving air outlets.
  • Fujitsu General Electronics Co., Ltd. establishes Fujitsu General Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., as its sales subsidiary in China.
  • Showcases a prototype of a wearable personal cooling device at CEATEC JAPAN 2018.
  • Recognized as one of 500 outstanding large enterprises in health and productivity management for 2018 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
  • Converts ABS Aircon Engineers Private Limited, an Indian air conditioning service provider, into a subsidiary of FGL.
  • Precise Air Group (Holdings) Pty Ltd., an Australian provider of air conditioner maintenance services, becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL.
2019
  • Recognized as a Sports Yell Company for 2019 by Japan Sports Agency.
  • F.G. Europe Italia S.p.A. becomes a subsidiary of F.G. Europe S.A.
  • Introduces the nocria X series AI air conditioners with a built-in wireless LAN adapter.
  • The nocria Z/M and KP series wall-mounted air conditioners win the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019.
  • Establishes the joint venture Fujitsu General OS Technology Co., Ltd. with Outsourcing Technology Inc.
  • The Innovation & Communication Center (ICC) becomes operational on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters.
  • Fujitsu General (Thailand) Co., Ltd. begins operation of its second plant.
  • Recognized as one of 500 outstanding large enterprises in health and productivity management for 2019 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
  • Releases the nocria® HM Series indoor ceiling mounted air conditioner, with movable air discharges on each side to deliver airflow to the entire room.

2020s

2020
  • Starts direct sales of air conditioners in India through Fujitsu General (India) Private Limited.
  • The remote controller for the nocria X series air conditioner wins the iF Product Design Award 2020.
  • The nocria SV series air conditioner and a ceiling-type indoor unit win the Red Dot Design Awards 2020.
  • Recognized as an outstanding large enterprise in health and productivity management for 2020 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
  • Releases the wearable personal cooling device Cómodo gear™, designed to provide comfort to people working as security guards as well as those on construction sites, shop floors, and at public event sites.
  • Introduces the first HVAC system with a multi-positional air-handling unit, jointly developed with our U.S. partner, Rheem.
  • The Advanced Engineering Lab becomes operational in the Innovation & Communication Center (ICC) on the premises of the Kawasaki Headquarters to accelerate the innovation of development processes and the commercialization of new technologies.
  • Releases the nocria® X Series, an industry first that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to disinfect the heat exchanger when users are away, and performs mold and bacteria removal to match the learned lifestyle rhythm of the user.
  • Fujitsu General Commercial Air Conditioning Italia S.p.A becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL.
  • Incorporates Fujitsu General Orient International Electronics Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
  • The nocria® HM Series wins the Energy Conservation Center, Japan's "Prize of the Chairman of ECCJ" award in the 2020 Energy Conservation Best Products and Business Models category.
  • Fujitsu General (U.K.) Co., Limited merges with Fujitsu General (Euro) GmbH.
2021
  • Company name of Fujitsu General Orient International Electronics Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. changed to Fujitsu General Sales & Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
  • Recognized as one of 500 outstanding large enterprises in health and productivity management for 2021 (White 500) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
  • Releases the nocria® Z Series, equipped with Double AI to realize a hygienic and comfortable space perfectly suited to the user.
  • Formulates "Sustainability Management" policy.
  • Ultraviolet lighting equipment manufacturer Aeroshield Co., Ltd. established as subsidiary.
  • Company name of Fujitsu General Commercial Air Conditioning Italia S.p.A changed to Fujitsu General (Italia) S.p.A.
  • The nocria® Z Series air conditioner and the nocria® X Series simple remote controller win the Red Dot Award 2021.
  • Fujitsu General participates in the Next Generation HVAC Innovation Challenges, organized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, utilizing its Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF / Multi split air conditioners for small-to-medium stores and offices) systems to demonstrate the energy-saving performance of heat pump technology.
  • Fujitsu General’s ceiling-type indoor units are awarded the “Best Product of the Year” in the Sanitary & Air Conditioning category of the Plus X Award 2021.
  • Fujitsu General (Aust.) Pty Ltd. is selected as the "WINNER" in the Air Conditioner category of Trusted Brands Australia 2021, recording its fourth straight win.
  • Fujitsu General introduces the “Sustainable Products” system as its own internal certification scheme for approving products and services with the potential to contribute to resolving social issues and promoting sustainability.
  • Fujitsu General Electronics Limited develops an industry-first “small GaN module,” which incorporates a high-voltage GaN-FET chip based on advanced modularization technology.
  • Releases the Cómodo gear i2, a new model of wearable device.
  • The Cómodo gear® i2 and nocria® Z Series win the Good Design Award 2021. The Cómodo gear® i2 also selected as one of the Good Design Award 2021 Best 100.
  • Releases the Gokudan nocria® ZN Series, a line of “Sustainable Product Gold”-certified air conditioners with enhanced heating performance.
  • Registers the matrix converter technology with WIPO GREEN to promote Fujitsu General's proprietary technology while contributing to SDGs initiatives.
  • Develops the UVGI UNIT for ambulances to improve the in-vehicle air environment using ultraviolet irradiation.
  • Demonstrates the effectiveness of the industry-first n-UV technology (proprietary technology for horizontal ultraviolet irradiation) to inactivate airborne COVID-19 virus by more than 99% in one minute.
2022
  • Releases the nocria® X Series and Z Series with enhanced heating functions and the industry's first smartphone remote controller mode.
  • Demonstrates that the Two-Stage Plasma Air Cleaning Technology is effective in reducing airborne COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2, Delta variants) by 99.9% in 10 minutes.
  • Recognized under "the 2022 certified Health & productivity manegement outstanding organizations recognition program ~the large enterprise category~ " held by the ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
  • Switches to 100% renewable energy in electricity used for business activities. Thus achieving virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use at all sites worldwide.
  • Develops SIAFOLS,*1 a novel technology designed to transmit broadcast contents on disaster prevention administrative radio in a more reliable manner, in collaboration with Kobe University.
  • Fujitsu General (Aust.) Pty Ltd, the Australian sales subsidiary of the Fujitsu General Group, awarded WINNER in the air conditioner category of TRUSTED BRANDS AUSTRALIA 2022 for the fifth consecutive year.
  • The promotional video, "Harmonized UX Design," wins the Red Dot Design Award: Brand & Communication Design.
  • nocria (AS28JPZ released in 2003), the world's first*2 air conditioner equipped with an automatic filter cleaning mechanism, registered in the Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology for FY2022.
  • Operation manual for the nocria Z Series (room air conditioners for the Japanese market) receives the Jury's Special Award in the Japan Manual Awards 2022.
  • Wins the prestigious Good Design Award 2022 and Red Dot Design Award 2022 for the company's outstanding efforts to increase the value of experiencing Fujitsu General's products.
  • Releases the Gokudan nocria® ZN Series, a line of air conditioners with enhanced heating performance.
  • Releases the nocria® X Series and Z Series with a feature to prevent the growth of mold in the air conditioner and enhanced heating functions.
  • Acquires FG South East Europe SA, a Greek distributor, to expand business in Europe.
  • Establishes FGAHP, a joint venture for manufacturing products within Europe, and starts local production of ATW (air to water) systems to achieve a decarbonized society.
2023
  • Releases the nocria W Series, a line of mid-range air conditioners that closely supports the daily lives of users. A total of eight models of this series have already met new energy efficiency standards that have been established with a target year of 2027.
  • Starts offering the AIRSTAGE Cloud, a service that provides remote control and maintenance of commercial air conditioners, as well as the AIRSTAGE Edge Controller equipped with a feature-rich interface in the U.S. market.
  • Releases VU-V multi-split air conditioners for large buildings in the U.S. market.
  • Recognized as one of 500 outstanding large enterprises in health and productivity management for 2023 (White 500) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
*1
Sound Improvement Algorithm for Outdoor Loudspeaker Stations
*2
The world's first in a wall mounted air conditioner. Refers to the function for automatically cleaning filters. Launched on March 21, 2003, equipped with the world's first such function. Based on research by Fujitsu General.