Toshiba Corporation is one of the top Multinational conglomerate corporations that deal with the manufacturing of electronic devices. Here, we will be telling you the masterminds behind this company. So, who is the founder of Toshiba? How did Toshiba Corporation come to be what it is today? Read on to find out more.
About this company
Toshiba Corporation, commonly referred to as Toshiba, is a multinational conglomerate based in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1939, Toshiba has grown into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, spanning various industries such as information technology ↗, consumer electronics, infrastructure, and energy.
Products, services, and standards
Toshiba is a company that offers a wide range of products and services. They provide air conditioners, consumer electronics like televisions and DVD/Blu-ray players, control systems for various applications (such as air-traffic control, railways, security, and traffic control), electronic point-of-sale equipment, elevators and escalators, home appliances (including refrigerators and washing machines), IT services, lighting, materials and electronic components, medical equipment (including CT and MRI scanners, ultrasound equipment, and X-ray machines), office equipment, business telecommunication equipment, personal computers, semiconductors, power systems (including electricity turbines, fuel cells, and nuclear reactors), power transmission and distribution systems, and TFT displays.
Toshiba played a major role in the development of DVD technology. However, in 2008, they discontinued their HD DVD format after losing the format war against Blu-ray. The decision was made to avoid creating problems for consumers. Toshiba continued to support existing HD DVD owners while also entering the Blu-ray market.
Toshiba’s television brand is called REGZA, which stands for Real Expression Guaranteed by Amazing Architecture. In North America, Toshiba licensed its name to Compal Electronics, a Taiwanese company, to design and manufacture its TVs. The REGZA brand ↗ is also used in Android-based smartphones developed by Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications.
Toshiba introduced a glasses-free 3D TV prototype called Toshiba Regza GL1 in 2010, which was later released as a retail product. They also offer 4K Ultra HD televisions with four times the resolution of Full HD TVs. These TVs are powered by a CEVO 4K Quad + dual-core processor.
Toshiba has a history of producing laptops, starting with the release of the T1100 in 1985. They also released the Chromebook 2 ↗ in 2014, which runs on ChromeOS and provides users with free Google Drive storage and access to apps and extensions. Toshiba divested its personal computer and laptop business in 2018, eventually fully exiting the market in 2020 and transferring the remaining shares to Sharp. The divested business was renamed Dynabook Inc.
In the 1980s, Toshiba invented flash memory, both NOR and NAND types. They have since developed advanced flash memory technologies, such as 3D flash memory with high storage capacity. Toshiba’s memory division was spun off as Toshiba Memory Corporation, now known as Kioxia.
Who is the founder of Toshiba?
Toshiba was founded by two Japanese engineers, Hisashige Tanaka ↗ and Ichisuke Fujioka. ↗ Tanaka was a self-taught inventor who founded Tanaka Engineering Works in 1875. Fujioka was a graduate of the Imperial College of Engineering (now the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Tokyo) who founded Hakunetsu-sha Co., Ltd. in 1890. The two firms merged in 1939 to form Tokyo Shibaura Denki, which was later renamed Toshiba.
Who is the current CEO of Toshiba Corporation?
Taro Shimada is the current CEO of Toshiba Corporation. He was appointed on June 1, 2022, and is the first CEO to be appointed from outside the company since 2006. Shimada is a former executive at Siemens PLM Software and has over 30 years of experience in the technology industry. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo and holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Shimada’s appointment comes at a time when Toshiba is facing a number of challenges, including a declining share price, and a scandal involving accounting irregularities. Shimada has pledged to turn the company around and has outlined a number of initiatives to improve its performance. These include focusing on its core businesses, investing in new technologies, and strengthening its corporate governance.
Where does Toshiba operate?
Toshiba Corporation is a major Japanese brand and manufacturer of computers and electronic devices for consumers and industry. The headquarters are in Tokyo.
How do I contact Toshiba?
For all press inquiries, you can contact the company via their email [email protected] ↗ and for support on Toshiba consumer products, please call 800-468-6744 and press 1.
History
Toshiba was established through the merger of two prominent Japanese companies, Shibaura Seisaku-sho and Tokyo Denki. Initially, the company focused on the manufacture of heavy electrical machinery, including generators and motors. During World War II, Toshiba played a crucial role in supporting the Japanese war effort by producing radar systems and other military equipment.
- Tanaka Seizo-sho ↗ was founded in 1875 by Hisashige Tanaka, who is considered the “Edison of Japan” for his contributions to the development of electrical technology. The company initially produced telegraph equipment but later expanded into other areas, such as manufacturing light bulbs, motors, and generators.
- Tokyo Denki was founded in 1890 by Ichisuke Fujioka, who developed Japan’s first arc lamp. The company initially focused on manufacturing light bulbs but later expanded into other areas, such as manufacturing radios, televisions, and computers.
After the war, Toshiba shifted its focus to the consumer electronics market, pioneering innovations such as Japan’s first radar range (microwave oven) in 1959. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the company continued to expand its product portfolio, introducing a wide range of household appliances, televisions, and audio equipment.
In the 1960s, Toshiba began to expand into new areas, such as nuclear power and medical equipment. The company also made significant investments in research and development, which helped it to stay ahead of the competition.
In the 1980s, Toshiba made significant strides in the field of personal computers, releasing the T1100, Japan’s first laptop computer, in 1985. The company’s laptop division enjoyed considerable success in the international market, propelling Toshiba to become one of the world’s top PC manufacturers.
In the 1990s, Toshiba faced a number of challenges, including the Asian financial crisis and the collapse of the Japanese bubble economy. However, the company was able to weather these storms and continue to grow.
In recent years, Toshiba has faced a number of other challenges, including an accounting scandal and the bankruptcy of its nuclear power subsidiary, Westinghouse. However, the company is still a major player in the global technology industry, and it is committed to innovation and growth.
Here are some of the major milestones in Toshiba’s history:
- 1875: Tanaka Seizo-sho is founded by Hisashige Tanaka
- 1890: Tokyo Denki is founded by Ichisuke Fujioka
- 1939: Shibaura Seisaku-sho and Tokyo Denki merge to form Toshiba
- 1950s: Toshiba begins to manufacture televisions and computers
- 1960s: Toshiba enters the nuclear power and medical equipment markets
- 1990s: Toshiba faces challenges from the Asian financial crisis and the collapse of the Japanese bubble economy
- 2000s: Toshiba expands into new markets, such as China and India
- 2015: Toshiba is rocked by an accounting scandal
- 2017: Westinghouse, Toshiba’s nuclear power subsidiary, declares bankruptcy
- 2023: Toshiba announces it has accepted a buyout offer from a consortium led by Japan Industrial Partners
Toshiba is a major global technology company with a long and storied history. The company has faced its share of challenges over the years, but it has always managed to overcome them and continue to grow. Toshiba is committed to innovation and growth, and it is sure to play a major role in the global technology industry for many years to come.
Business Divisions
Toshiba’s operations are organized into several business divisions, each specializing in different industries and sectors. The major divisions include:
- Digital Products Group: This division focuses on manufacturing and selling consumer electronics, including televisions, laptops, tablets, and home appliances.
- Infrastructure Systems Group: Responsible for the development of infrastructure-related products such as power systems, elevators, air conditioning systems, and railway transportation systems.
- Energy Systems & Solutions Company: Specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of power generation and transmission systems, including nuclear power plants, thermal power plants, and renewable energy solutions.
- Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions Company: Primarily engaged in the production of semiconductors, storage devices, and electronic components. This division is known for its NAND flash memory technology and solid-state drives (SSDs).
Controversies
Toshiba has faced several controversies throughout its history. In 2015, the company admitted to accounting irregularities, overstating its profits by billions of dollars over several years. This scandal led to the resignation of the company’s top executives and significant financial penalties.
Furthermore, Toshiba’s involvement in the nuclear power industry has been marred by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The company had supplied reactors for the power plant, and the incident raised concerns about nuclear safety and the future of nuclear energy in Japan.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Toshiba has undergone significant changes to its corporate structure and ownership. In 2018, the company sold its memory chip business, including the highly profitable NAND flash memory ↗ division, to a consortium led by Bain Capital. This move was aimed at offsetting financial losses incurred from its nuclear power operations.
In 2020, Toshiba faced a high-profile corporate governance crisis when allegations of shareholder oppression were brought against the company’s management. These allegations led to the resignation of the CEO and several board members and sparked a debate about corporate transparency and accountability in Japan.
In May 2023, Toshiba announced that it would be spinning off its energy and computer device units. The company said that the move would allow it to focus on its core businesses of infrastructure and consumer products.
In April 2023, Toshiba announced that it had won a $1 billion contract to supply nuclear power plant equipment to the United Arab Emirates. The contract is the largest ever won by Toshiba in the Middle East.
In March 2023, Toshiba announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the US government to develop new nuclear power technologies. The agreement is part of the US government’s efforts to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States.
A spin-off of energy and computer device units: ↗ Toshiba’s energy and computer device units are not core businesses for the company. The spin-off will allow Toshiba to focus on its core businesses of infrastructure and consumer products. This will help Toshiba to improve its profitability and long-term growth prospects.
Nuclear power contract with the United Arab Emirates ↗: The nuclear power contract with the United Arab Emirates is the largest ever won by Toshiba in the Middle East. The contract is worth $1 billion and will see Toshiba supply nuclear power plant equipment to the United Arab Emirates. This contract is a major win for Toshiba and is a sign of the company’s growing presence in the global nuclear power market.
Memorandum of understanding with the US government: The memorandum of understanding with the US government is part of the US government’s efforts to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States. The agreement will see Toshiba work with the US government to develop new nuclear power technologies. This agreement is a major win for Toshiba and is a sign of the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
