New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.

Fukushima Electric Works was founded in Osaka's Yodogawa-ku, Mitsuya Naka (now). It started as a specialized manufacturer of the representative electronic component "volume (variable resistor)" at the time. The company grew by producing volume controls used in radios, phonographs, and televisions during the post-war radio boom and home appliance boom. At its peak, Fukushima Electric Works led the electronic component industry, owning multiple electronic component and home appliance manufacturers, and grew into a corporate group with 2,000 employees. Its products included volume controls, variable capacitors, coils, and intermediate frequency transformers.

Osaka Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. was established. Fukushima Electric Works, which was performing well, aimed to expand further and transform from a parts manufacturer to a comprehensive home appliance manufacturer. However, due to a lack of manufacturing know-how for home appliances, product troubles occurred frequently. In 1957, the company went bankrupt with debts of 1 billion yen. The labor union supported the employees' livelihoods during this time. In 1958, the company was reestablished as Osaka Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.

Osaka Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. did not recover. It was difficult to regain public trust after its fall, and it went bankrupt again in just over two years. While the company gave up on reconstruction, employees used their skills and youthful passion to establish New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. two months after bankruptcy, led by the labor union. Capital was 1 million yen, and there were 150 employees. The name "New" reflected their determination to start over from scratch. The first president was Ryoichiro Kasahara, the technical section chief and union chairman at the time.

Founded in June 1960 by remaining employees, 'New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.' When management began to stabilize, abnormalities were found during pre-shipment inspections of new products. This was a turning point for the company and the first step into the unknown field of 'gas sensors.'

While striving to restore corporate trust through new product development such as volume controls, a problem arose during product inspection: the resistance value of the newly developed volume was abnormally high. Organic solvents used to wipe grease from the shaft were the cause. Kasahara hypothesized that a specific carbon film could function as a gas sensor. After repeated experiments, he named the most sensitive carbon film Organic Gas Sensitive Resistance Body (Orgasta). This was the first step into the unknown territory of gas sensors.

In the early 1960s, as LP gas became widespread in households, New Cosmos Electric aimed to develop a gas leak alarm, believing it would become socially necessary. Difficulties in developing with Orgasta led to the realization that a gas sensor based on contact combustion principle was practical for detecting flammable gases. In 1964, the Model A-3 was born, equipped with a contact combustion sensor that detects temperature rise when a flammable gas contacts a platinum wire coil coated with a catalyst. However, due to its high price, it did not become widespread in general households.

The contact combustion sensor, which was costly at the time, was further developed for industrial products such as portable gas detectors. The portable gas detector XP-301, which was born from this, differentiated itself from competitors with its idea and technology of automatically drawing in gas with a one-touch operation. Its ease of use and high measurement accuracy made it a hit product that captured latent customer needs.

At that time, the company succeeded in practical application of a new sensor principle called "semiconductor gas sensor" for household gas leak alarms. The product, CZ-102, was sold under the name "Mihari" by Iwatani Sangyo, with reduced parts count and one-third the price of Model A-3. It was a groundbreaking product that prevented gas leaks during LP gas use, with a reasonable price for households, and created a sensation with its new value of "selling safety." It recorded great success.

As awareness of Mihari increased, many manufacturers entered the gas leak alarm market. However, some products were hastily made and of poor quality, leading to consumer complaints. In response, the High Pressure Gas Safety Association established testing standards to ensure performance. In 1970, gas alarm manufacturers formed the Gas Leak Alarm Liaison Council, which was reorganized into the Gas Alarm Industry Association in 1975.

Conventional gas leak detection methods involved applying soap water to gas pipes and other components. However, detecting very small leaks was difficult, and pinpointing leak locations posed challenges. Amidst these issues, a new type of "Flammable Gas Leak Detector XP-702" was born. Its compact size, lightweight design, high sensitivity capable of detecting ultra-micro leaks, and ease of use—such as identifying leak points through buzzer sounds and flashing lamps—have gained overwhelming support from field workers. It remains one of our long-selling products.

Detecting city gas, which is lighter than air and mixed with various gases, required more advanced detection technology compared to LP gas. About ten years after launching LP gas leak alarms, the "City Gas Leak Alarm" was developed, passed inspection by the Japan Gas Equipment Inspection Association, and began sales at major city gas companies. Two months later, a gas explosion occurred in the underground shopping street in front of Shizuoka Station. This incident heightened awareness of safety for city gas, leading to a sharp increase in demand for city gas leak alarms.

The "Cosmo Tector" adopted a micro air pump, the industry's first inherently safe explosion-proof structure, and achieved significant miniaturization of gas sensors, as well as portable gas detectors that were previously considered cumbersome. It contributed to the rapid and efficient safety operations of workers and has continued as a long-selling series.

As part of "Corporate Identity (CI)," we reviewed the corporate mark and other symbols used since establishment. Under the concepts of "Sensor Technology," "Comfortable Environment," and "Social Contribution," we established new corporate marks, logo types, brand logos, and corporate colors as symbols of a company that continues to leap forward and develop.

Tetsushi Shigemori appointed as President and Chairman Reiji Kasahara appointed as Chairman.

Launch of Ventilation Fan Controller ARU-02S/02C.

Established "New Thinking Mo Shi Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd." in Shanghai.

Acquired 65% of shares of Bionics Instrument Europe B.V. (Headquarters: Netherlands) and made it a subsidiary.

Built the Cosmos Sensor Center, the world's largest gas sensor research, development, and manufacturing facility, in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. By consolidating technical and production divisions, aims to further improve productivity and quality of gas sensors, while continuing to challenge new areas for gas sensors.

Succeeded in developing a gas sensor using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology with power consumption 1/600 of conventional sensors. Co-developed a battery-powered gas alarm with Osaka Gas, which had long sought such a device. Its cordless design and ease of installation, compared to traditional AC-powered alarms, improved aesthetics and facilitated installation.

Acquired 66.6% of shares of Figaro Engineering Co., Ltd., and made it a group company.

Established "New Cosmos Electric Korea Co., Ltd." in South Korea.

President and Chairman appointment: President Yoshinori Takahashi and Chairman Tetsuji Shigemori

Start supplying methane detectors to Con Edison, an energy company in New York, USA. Currently, gas explosions caused by aging gas pipelines are a serious problem in the United States. In this context, Con Edison, a major American energy company, evaluated various gas alarms and adopted our gas alarm equipped with MEMS sensors. Powered by batteries, it is highly rated for high sensitivity detection and long lifespan. Over 200,000 units have already been installed, detecting numerous gas leaks and helping to eliminate gas accidents.

Established a local subsidiary in the United States, 'New Cosmos USA, Inc.'

Launch of the next-generation gas alarm 'Comfortable Watch SMART (Smart) XW-735' compatible with smart home services. Developed Japan's first gas alarm compatible with smart home services, 'Comfortable Watch SMART.' By linking with Encord Japan's 'Connect Sensor,' it supports smart home services such as 'simple security,' 'alarm remote control,' 'heat stroke prevention,' and 'family monitoring,' providing a safer and more comfortable living environment.

Release of 'Sanmitsu Notification System Ventilation Forecast.' Amid the global spread of COVID-19, demand for CO2 sensors that visualize effective ventilation for infection control has increased. Our group's reliable CO2 sensors are installed in the system. Within about four months of release, sales exceeded the initial target of 1,000 units. It is being used in restaurants and schools.

Toyota Motor Corporation's new MIRAI has adopted onboard hydrogen detectors. As the movement toward realizing a hydrogen society accelerates, our hydrogen sensors have been adopted in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle 'MIRAI.' The advanced detection performance, durability, and high-quality gas sensors cultivated through long-term development and mass production systems for household gas alarms were highly evaluated.

Launch of 'Plasio (PLUSCO),' a fire alarm with carbon monoxide detection function. Developed jointly with Tokyo Gas in 2006, it was Japan's first battery-powered fire alarm with carbon monoxide detection. It has been improved over time and received certification from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications as a 'CO reaction formula' for early fire detection. Adopts a simple cube design that blends into modern homes, promoting the spread of fire alarms with CO detection.

Established a local subsidiary in Taiwan, 'Taiwan New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.'

Launch of outdoor carbon monoxide alarm 'COALAN.' With the outdoor boom, accidents caused by carbon monoxide from charcoal fires and stoves accumulating inside tents and tarps have increased. Developed 'COALAN,' the company's first outdoor carbon monoxide alarm, as a reliable product from a top manufacturer of household gas alarms.

Completion of the gas sensor factory 'Yodogawa Factory' in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka. To respond to increased orders for gas sensors and to strengthen BCP measures, the factory was established as a second production base. It is designated as a tsunami evacuation building by Osaka City and will be used to ensure safety during disasters.