Industrial RobotsLogistics-Related EquipmentAutomotive Production EquipmentSemiconductor Production EquipmentPanel Manufacturing EquipmentHome Appliance Production EquipmentPower Module RelatedMedical and Physical Science InstrumentsEco Electric SeriesAutomated Warehouses and Conveying Equipment, etc.Digital Twin
In July 1946, Hirata Vehicle Industry was founded in present-day Kumamoto City, producing and selling general industrial vehicles such as wooden wheels.
Using donated iron, we cut it to length, added a handle and wheel, and created the first product: a handcart. A subsequent variant, a baby carriage with a floral wooden box, sold extremely well, attracting orders from outside the city and leading to a surge in production.
In 1951, the company was incorporated from a sole proprietorship within five years. It began anew as Hirata Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd.
Established Hirata Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd. in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture with a capital of 1,000 thousand yen, aiming to manufacture and sell industrial vehicles.
Steel plate trailers, used for towing behind tractors and cultivators, reached a monthly production of 800 units in the 1950s.
In 1956, pursued the essence of transportation rationalization and began manufacturing conveyors. Prototype No. 1 was completed in 1961.
Five years after founding, the production system for main products like the rear cart and handcart was established, orders increased, and the range of models expanded. The company then started anew as Hirata Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd.
Prototype No. 1 was completed in 1961.
Commenced production of belt conveyors and slat conveyors.
In 1953, we pursued the essence of transportation efficiency and began producing conveyors.
Delivered the company’s first TV assembly line, entering the factory production equipment sector.
Established the Embi factory (now Kumamoto factory) in Embi Town, Kakamoto District, Kumamoto Prefecture (now Kumamoto City).
Hirata Koya, who became Managing Director, visited the U.S. as a member of the Japan Management Association's inspection team, observing American rationality and automated factories. This marked the first step onto the international stage.
In 1966, an American inspection laid the foundation for becoming an international company.
Established the Kanto factory in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Commenced production of free-flow conveyors using newly developed chains.
Three related companies specializing in automatic assembly machines for the home appliance industry merged to form Hirata Machinery Co., Ltd.
In 1974, Hirata Kiko Co., Ltd. was founded.
Merged Hirata Machinery Co., Ltd. and Ohira Conveyor Co., Ltd., renaming the company to Hirata Machinery Co., Ltd.
In 1977, after mastering electronic technology, we developed the Cartesian coordinate robot NC-controlled X-Y table "MACHINE-BASE."
Developed the orthogonal coordinate robot NC-controlled XY table "MACHINE-BASE" in 1977.
In 1977, Hirata Koichi became Chairman of the Board, and Hirata Koya became President.
Developed the orthogonal coordinate robot "NC-Controlled XY Table."
Received the first mission assembly line order from an automotive manufacturer.
In 1977, Kōichi Hirata became Chairman and Kōya Hirata became President, initiating efforts toward globalization.
In 1980, established the first overseas branch in the United States. Founded Hirata Corporation of America (HCA) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Established HIRATA Corporation of America in Indiana, United States.
Established HIRATA Corporation of America in Indiana, USA (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Developed the horizontal multi-joint 4-axis robot "Arm Base."
Hirata Koya and three others established Taiei Kousan Co., Ltd. in Embi Town, Kakamoto District, Kumamoto Prefecture (now Kumamoto City).
In 1981, with a view to internationalization, moved headquarters to Tokyo and the main office to Kumamoto.
In 1981, relocated headquarters from Kumamoto to Tokyo.
Established the Kansai factory in Nozu Town, Nozu District, Shiga Prefecture (now Nozu City).
Relocated headquarters to Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo.
Established Hirata Corporation of America (HCA) in Indianapolis, Indiana, advancing overseas expansion.
Introduced the scalar robot "ARM-BASE" to the world, pioneering its sales.
Established the robot factory (now Kusanobashi factory) in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Established Taihei Computer Co., Ltd. in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
With exports accounting for 30% of sales, relocated headquarters to Tokyo for domestic and international management, establishing the Kumamoto branch.
In 1987, challenged the production line of cathode ray tubes.
Secured a CRT production line order, leading to the introduction of software technology and the full-scale production system.
The direct-drive robot "AR-DD2700" received the Nikkei Industrial Newspaper Award.
Established the Kumamoto East factory in Embi Town, Kakamoto District, Kumamoto Prefecture (now Kumamoto City).
Established subsidiaries in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and China, advancing global expansion.
Established HIRATA FA Engineering (S) Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.
Established HIRATA FA Engineering (S) Pte. Ltd. in Singapore (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Made Taiei Kousan Co., Ltd. a subsidiary of the company.
Established HIRATA Robotics GmbH in Germany
Developed rotating coating equipment for LCD display glass substrates and large transport robots, entering the FPD market.
Developed the AR-K series robots for transport within clean rooms
Established Hirata Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Ueki Town, Kamimono District, Kumamoto Prefecture (now Kumamoto City)
Established Shanghai Pingta Machinery Engineering Co., Ltd. in China
Established HIRATA Engineering S.A. de C.V. in Mexico
Established HIRATA Engineering S.A. de C.V. in Mexico (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Secured a major project for engine assembly lines for a North American automotive manufacturer, expanding the automotive equipment business.
Developed the Head Coater, an FPD resist coating device equipped with a slit-type coating unit
Obtained ISO14001 certification in the Kumamoto and Kanto regions
Obtained ISO 14001 certification in the Kumamoto and Kanto regions
All divisions obtained ISO9001 certification
All business divisions obtained ISO 9001 certification
Established HIRATA Engineering (THAILAND) Co., Ltd. in Thailand
Established HIRATA Engineering (THAILAND) Co., Ltd. in Thailand (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Established HIRATA Machinery Automation Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in China
Established Hirata Machinery Automation Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in China (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Established Taiwan Pingta Machinery Co., Ltd. in Taiwan
Listed shares on the JASDAQ Stock Exchange
Established Taiwan Hirata Machinery Co., Ltd. in Taiwan (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Changed the company name of Hirata Kogyo Co., Ltd. to Hirata Field Engineering Co., Ltd.
Changed corporate name of Hirata Koyo Co., Ltd. to Hirata Field Engineering Co., Ltd. (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Established the Nanao factory in Nanao Town, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Established Nanao Factory (currently Nanao First Factory) in Nanjo-cho, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Changed the company name of Taihei Kogyo Co., Ltd. to Taihei Technos Co., Ltd.
Changed corporate name of Taihei Kogyo Co., Ltd. to Taihei Techno Co., Ltd. (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Full-scale production of transport equipment such as RoadPort, wafer transport robots, and EFEM.
Changed the company name of Shanghai Pingta Machinery Engineering Co., Ltd. to Pingta Machinery Equipment Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Changed the company name of Thai Computer Co., Ltd. to Trinity Corporation
Changed corporate name of Taihei Computer Co., Ltd. to Trinity Corporation (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Changed the company name of HIRATA Robotics GmbH to HIRATA Engineering Europe GmbH
Changed corporate name of HIRATA Robotics GmbH to HIRATA Engineering Europe GmbH (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
On April 1, 2011, Yūichirō Hirata was appointed as the new president.
Established HIRATA FA Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia
Established HIRATA FA Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia (currently a consolidated subsidiary)
Established business divisions for automotive, FPD, and semiconductor, applying technologies across fields at a high level.
Recognized for motor production equipment technology, delivery response, and quality, receiving Dyson's Excellent Supplier award.
In 2014, received the Excellent Supplier award from Dyson.
The "Fully Automatic Continuous Thin Sectioning Device: Tissue Tech Smart Section" designed and manufactured under contract from Sakura Fine Tech Japan Co., Ltd. jointly received the 6th Robot Award President's Award from the Japan Machinery Industry Association
Received the Recognition Award Lean at Dyson's 2015 Supplier Meeting, marking a second consecutive award.
In 2015, received the Recognition Award Lean at the Supplier Meeting.
In 2016, received the Partnership Award for production of Dyson products.
Following the Kumamoto earthquake, relocated headquarters to Kumamoto, transitioning to a new structure to enhance corporate value.
Relocated headquarters to Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Changed market listing to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 2017, received "2017 Supplier of the Year" from GM.
Changed market to First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
Received the "2017 Supplier of the Year" award from U.S. automotive company GM for the transmission assembly equipment division.
On June 15, 2017, changed market to the First Section of the former Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 2018, a new factory was completed, integrating headquarters and factory. Design, management, and operations are now aligned with the site.
In June 2018, a new factory was completed and the Headquarters Building was finished.
Moved to the Prime Market following a review of market classifications by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Completed Headquarters Building at Kumamoto Factory
The Headquarters Building was completed in June 2020.
Changed corporate name of Hirata Machinery Equipment Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. to Hirata Trading (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd.
The company name of Hirata Machinery Equipment Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was changed to Hirata Trading (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd. (currently a consolidated subsidiary).
In fiscal 2022, awarded "Supplier of the Year" among companies that delivered equipment to Hitachi Astemo.
In 2022, it transitioned from the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange to the Prime Market.
Transitioned from First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange to Prime Market due to review of market classification
In 2023, Hitachi Astemo Co., Ltd. (now Astemo Inc.) received the 2022 "Supplier of the Year" award.
Fumihiro Maeda became Representative Director and President, and Yūichirō Hirata became Chairman, transitioning to a new structure.
Implemented a 3-for-1 stock split with March 31, 2025 as record date and April 1, 2025 as effective date
On March 31, 2025, as the reference date, and effective from April 1, 2025, a stock split was conducted at a ratio of 3 shares for every 1 ordinary share.
On April 1, 2026, Yuichiro Hirata became Chairman of the Board of Directors and Shigeru Maeda became President of the Board of Directors.
Established the Seventh Factory in Shichijo-cho, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Hirata Kiko Co., Ltd. will exhibit at the Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026, held at Makuhari Messe from October 13 to 16, 2026. The company will present at the ZONE2 Pitch Stage, showcasing automation and labor-saving initiatives utilizing production equipment manufacturing technology. Visitors are encouraged to stop by our booth.
Hirata Kiko will exhibit at the Crisis Management Industry Expo (RISCON TOKYO) 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight from September 30 to October 2, 2026. At the booth of UACJ Co., Ltd., a demo unit of the "Anywhere Conveyor" will be displayed under the theme "Aluminum and Disaster Prevention." The booth number is 1R-25.
Hirata Kiko Co., Ltd. will be closed from March 30 to 31, 2026, in connection with the replacement of its core system. We will respond in order starting April 1. Thank you for your understanding.
We released a video that clearly explains the features and benefits of the Eco Electric Series products. The video can be viewed from the "Eco Electric Series" page.
We have launched a dedicated site introducing Hirata's Eco Electric Series. This series was independently developed by the company, a system integrator.