100 years of history

Visit our History Website to join us on a journey through our past covering many milestones.

100 years of history

History of Companies

People and Technology

1918s - 1940s

Foundation and expansion.

Futajima Plant in Fukuoka, Japan

Futajima Plant in Fukuoka, Japan

22Nov1918

America Japan Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. was established in Osaka Japan

1Jan1920

New capacity added at Kitakyushu

1Jan1931

Company name changed to Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd

1Jan1936

New plant at Yokkaichi

1950s-1960s

Business expansion and coming of float glass age.

First piece of float glass ever made in Asia

First piece of float glass ever made in Asia

Maizuru Plant in Kyoto, Japan

Maizuru Plant in Kyoto, Japan

1Jan1950

Company shares listed in Tokyo and other stock exchanges in Japan

1Jan1952

New plant at Maizuru

1Jan1964

New plant at Chiba

1Jan1965

Float glass production commenced first in Asia with technology licensed from Pilkington

1970s-1980s

Globalization of Architectural and Automotive Glass businesses.

Build a foundation of Technical Glass with new products and technologies.

The SELFOC is still core technology in NSG

The SELFOC is still core technology in NSG

1Jan1968

SELFOC™ developed

31Mar1968

Established Research Center at Itami

1Jan1970

Manufacturing footprints expanded in Kyoto and Kanagawa

1Jan1971

The first overseas investment in Malaysia

1Jan1975

Automotive joint venture established in Mexico

1Jan1978

Thin glass UFF™ (Ultra Fine Flat Glass) production start

1Jan1979

Launch of the glass fiber business

1Jan1979

NSG Foundation established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Company

1Jan1980

Operation started at Sagamihara

1Jan1986

Automotive joint venture established in the US

1990s-Today

Further business globalization and contribution to a sustainable society.

Vietnam Float Glass Co Ltd

Vietnam Float Glass Co Ltd

1Jan1990

A 20 per cent stake of Libbey-Owens-Ford Company acquired

1Jan1995

Automotive and Technical glass joint ventures established in China and an Architectural joint venture in Vietnam

1Jan1999

Manufacturing footprints expanded in Tsu

1Jan2000

Shares of Pilkington acquired

1Jan2001

Increase in Pilkington shareholding to 20 per cent to become an affiliate of the Company

1Jan2004

Company headquarters moved to Tokyo

1Jan2006

Acquisition of Pilkington plc

1Jan2008

Adopted “Company with Committees (Current Company with a Nomination Committee)” system

1Jan2008

Second Architectural joint venture established in Vietnam

31Mar2011

Production of solar energy glass started in Vietnam

1Nov2018

100th Anniversary

31Mar2020

Float lines for solar energy glass established in the US and Vietnam

31Mar2021

Medium Term Vision and Medium Term Management Plan, “Revival Plan 24 (RP24)” launched

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