The Hitachi Group was founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira, a Japanese electrical engineer who was determined to produce original products and technologies in Japan. From the company’s beginnings as an electrical repair shop, with a 5-horsepower motor as its first product, Hitachi has since grown into one of the world’s leading and trusted brands.
In 1934, Hitachi was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 1982, underscoring its growing stature as a global company, Hitachi listed its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Yet through its many years of growth and prosperity, the company has never strayed from its guiding philosophy and corporate credo, established by Namihei Odaira over 100 years ago: to contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products.
Today, Hitachi has business operations in a diverse range of industries, spanning the globe, each one of which is contributing to social progress and maintaining social infrastructure through innovative technologies, products and services. Worldwide, the company is comprised of 913 consolidated subsidiaries and has over 360,000 employees. One hundred eight (108) of those companies operate in the Americas.
While Hitachi had its beginnings in the production of mining equipment and hydroelectric power generation facilities, it has responded to the world’s evolving power needs by focusing on the Social Innovation Business to pioneer new technologies in the areas of high-efficiency coal-fired thermal power, nuclear power generation and renewable power generation, including smart grid total solutions. Hitachi has also focused on creating products that promote energy conservation and environmental sustainability, such as the development of lithium-ion batteries for vehicles, hybrid drive systems for tomorrow’s railways and a variety of reliable and efficient energy management and water recycling technologies. In addition, Hitachi has applied its expertise to develop proton beam therapy systems that treat different forms of cancer.
As society has changed, Hitachi has changed with it, often leading the way with innovative new products and technologies that improve the way people live and work. Today, Hitachi is firmly committed to being a reliable provider of sustainable solutions, notably in the areas of clean energy, information technology and transportation, with the goal of being the leader in the Social Innovation Business.
The Hitachi Group does business in various fields, from social infrastructure to home appliances, from high-functional materials, to transportation and logistics, always adhering to its corporate statement “Inspire the Next.” Above all, Hitachi aims to continue to be a vigorous company that continuously grows in the 21st century and contributes to building a prosperous and comfortable society. To realize this vision:
