KYOWA is a general manufacturer of stress measurement equipment with core skills in strain gages.

History

1949	Establishment as Kyowa Radio Laboratory Co., Ltd. in Shinjuku City, Tokyo and launch of design and manufacturing of radio communication equipment and measuring instruments for the same.
1950	At the request of the Transportation Technical Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport to produce a prototype resistance wire strain gage, produced the first measuring instrument of its kind in Japan and subsequently focused all its corporate endeavors on strain measuring instruments from this point in time.
1952	Completed a dynamic strain meter.
1953	Developed various strain-gage type converters, indicators and other devices for pressure, load and torque measurement.
1957	Completed a foil strain gage.
1961	Began construction of a new plant in Chofu City and changed the company name to Kyowa Electronic Instruments Co., Ltd.
1962	Completed the Chofu Plant and launched measurement consultancy service.
1965	Developed a self-temperature compensation strain gage.
1966	Relocated the Main Branch to the head office building completed at the Chofu Plant.
1968	Constructed a 4-story plant at the head office site. Registered as a Mass Meter Class-3 Manufacturer under the Measurement Law.
1969	Constructed a 6-storey plant at the head office site. Listed in 2nd Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1973	Established the Measurement Engineering Department in Chofu City.
1977	Began the Strain Gage Basic Course.
1985	Completed the technology wing at the head office site.
1988	Announced Japan’s first on-board type measurement device for collision test (High-impact resistant C-0361 model) and won high acclaim by auto-makers.
1989	Completed development of a pressure sensor for use in space jointly with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and acquired accreditation for the product as a National. Space Development Agency-approved component.
1992	Won acclaim from the Ministry of Construction for its avalanche monitoring device developed through joint research by the public and private sectors.
1998	Awarded a commemorative prize by the JR Tokai and the Railway Technical Research Institute for its cooperation with measurements concomitant with the achievement of 550 km/h on the Yamanashi linear test line. Acquired ISO9002 product scope expansion (Addition of measuring and recording devices) certificate on March 27 and ISO9001 certificate for over 3,000 standard products in November.
June 1999	Celebrated its 50th anniversary and published 50-years of history: “Meeting the Challenges of Realizing Safety and Security in Measuring Technology.”
June 2000	Changed its listing designation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to 1st Section.
2001	The Production Division Measurement Standard Department was accredited as an approved business (Approval No.: 0096) in the force field by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation in May.
2002	Took over the measuring instruments business from Bridgestone Corporation by business transfer in September and expanded its product lineup and sales channels.
2003	Acquired permission to engage in telecommunications work business in October.
2004	Newly established the Automotive Equipment Department and the Specialized Machinery Department Transport Systems Group within the Technology Division. Reinforced its capabilities in the automotive-related and transport systems fields. Announced acquisition of an exclusive distributorship in Japan for NI-DIAdem manufactured by National Instruments in America and launched sales of the same. Acquired accreditation under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law for its equilibrium function tester EGC-2000A in December.
2005	Acquired environment management system ISO14001 in July and reinforced its environmental undertakings. Took part independently in the “Automotive Testing Expo 2005 North America” in Detroit in America in October.
2006	Introduced flat-belt type calibration devices to Yamagata Kyowa Dengyo site in March to reinforced automotive-related product production efficiency in March.
2007	Established an American branch in Detroit, America, in April.
2008	Completed phase-2 of the Head Office Plant reconstruction in September.
2009	Celebrated its 60th anniversary in June and produced a 60th anniversary commemorative publication.