Leon Automation Co., Ltd.

Founder Torihiko Hayashi successfully developed the world's first automatic filling machine in 1961.

Founder Torihiko Hayashi successfully developed the world's first automatic filling machine in 1961.

In 1963, he founded Leon Automation Co., Ltd. in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, aiming to modernize food production worldwide with the technology he developed.

In May 1968, while visiting the United States for a trade show inspection, Torihiko Hayashi signed a long-term contract with American Bakers Corp. (ABC) to export 500 units annually.

Founding of Leon Automation Co., Ltd.

Commenced sales of filling machine 'Model N101'.

Founder Torihiko Hayashi successfully developed the world's first automatic filling machine in 1961.

Commenced sales of filling machine 'Model 105'.

Established a representative office in Germany.

In May 1968, while visiting the United States for a trade show inspection, Torihiko Hayashi signed a long-term contract with American Bakers Corp. (ABC) to export 500 units annually.

Established the local corporation Leon U.S.A. in New Jersey, USA, followed by Leon Automatic Machinery GmbH in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Developed the dough extension device 'Stress-Free Stretchers'.

Established a representative office in Germany.

Established a research institute in the United States.

Listed shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange market and entered the Second Section of the TSE in 1987.

Established local corporations in the United States and Germany.

Developed the dough extension device 'Stress-Free Stretchers'.

Commenced sales of pastry automatic production line.

Established local corporation Orange Bakery in the United States.

Announced the versatile automatic filling machine 'Model N208'.

Released the multi-row filling machine 'Multi Co Extruder'.

Announced the computer-equipped filling machine 'Marsman'.

Listed shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange market.

Announced the computer-equipped filling machine 'Marsman'.

The production site 'Kagawachi Factory' began operations.

On March 15, 2013, Leon Automation celebrated its 50th anniversary, adopting the corporate motto 'A company with a purpose', and took a new step toward the next 50 and 100 years.

The production site 'Kagawachi Factory' began operations.

The full-scale experimental plant for post-rolling frozen bread began operations.

Opened Orange Bakery's third plant (Charlotte plant) in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Leon Automation's best hard and soft technologies were combined to commence serious research on post-rolling frozen bread.

Released the low-floor Marsman. The Marsman 'CN120' was designed 30 cm lower than the previous model, making it more user-friendly. It was also nicknamed Marsman Junior and became a long‑selling favorite among customers nationwide. Additionally, for the first time in the Marsman series, an option to automatically feed solid items such as strawberries and chestnuts became available, expanding its applications.

Released 'Stress-Free V4 – Bread Production Line'.

Successfully developed the dough feeder 'V4 – Dough Feeder', which continuously extrudes dough without damaging its gluten. Sales of the 'Stress-Free V4 – Bread Production Line', which connects a subsequent shaping line, began. In Europe and the U.S., where artisan bread was traditionally handmade, the automatic shaping of artisan bread was recognized and became widespread worldwide.

Announced the 'VM System' equipped with weighing and division functions.

The filling machine 'Model 105' was certified as a machine heritage.

Leon Automation celebrated its 50th anniversary. Adopting the corporate motto 'A company with a purpose', it has been operating for half a century, contributing to the development of global food culture with its unique technology. Without stopping its progress, it set a new step toward the next 50 and 100 years.

Founded: March 15, 1963 (Showa 38).

The filling machine 'Model 105' was certified as a machine heritage.

In 2018, it led to obtaining the ISO 9001 quality management system international standard.

Commenced sales of the evolved bread-making machine 'VM300'.

Commenced sales of the latest Marsman model 'CN700'.

Opened the new headquarters 'Leon Solution Center'.

Announced the 'HM Pastry Line'.