HISTORY of SHIMADA SINCE 1887

Shimada Shoji’s past and future

The current Shimada Shoji is the pioneers’ will,
wisdom, and technology. The future will build a business
that is wider and more convenient than ever.

1887

Founder Sadajiro Shimada becomes independent and opens Shimadasada Store at Shiidera-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka.

1890

Sadajiro modifies a shell button making machine to make buttons out of buffalo horn; designs a machine to drill four holes simultaneously.
The store moves first to Watayamachi and then to Takeyamachi, Minami-ku, Osaka.

1914

The store moves to Tanimachi, Higashi-ku. Ceases production of buttons and concentrates efforts on wholesaling.

1930

Sadajiro retires and is succeeded by Moriyuki Shimada.
A 6-day work week is introduced, an innovation in the industry at this time.

1939

The Osaka Button Wholesalers Union is formed.
Moriyuki becomes the chief director.

1940

Store closes temporarily during World War II.

1947

Store commences business after completion of a residence-store at 2-chome, Tanimachi.

1949

Tsunehiro Shimada resumes business by opening the Sadabishi Store.

1953

Company name changes to Shimada Button Co., Ltd. with capital of one million yen.

1958

Tokyo Branch opens at Matsueda-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

1960

Kansai YKK Fastener Co., Ltd. is established.

1963

Gifu Branch opens.Hirakata Business Office opens.

1966

Exports of sewing materials to Korea begin.

1967

Shimada Sangyo Co., Ltd. is established.

1968

Head Office building at Funakoshi-cho, Higashi-ku,Osaka, is completed.
Shimada Button Co., Ltd. merges with Kansai YKK Fastener Co., Ltd. and is renamed Shimada Shoji Co., Ltd.

1978

Construction of Tanimachi Business Office in 3-chome, Tanimachi, Higashi-ku, Osaka, is completed.

1982

An agent contract in Korea is solidified.

1985

First merchandise exhibitions are held in Osaka and Tokyo.
Participates in the accessories exhibition held in Beijing, China.
Kojima Branch opens.

1986

Tsunehiro Shimada becomes Chairman, and Yukio Simada President.
Tokyo Branch is renamed Tokyo Head Office.

1987

Commemoration ceremonies are held in Tokyo and Osaka, celebrating 100 years of business.
Shimada Shoji (H.K.) Limited is established.
Hi-G Nihonbashi Building is completed at Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

1988

Hirakata Business Office moves to a new location, and a manufacturing plant is established and begins operation.
Hi-G Shokai Limited Liability Company is established.

1991

Upon completion of the new office building, Kojima Branch is renamed Okayama Branch.
Osaka Headquarters building is completed (current Head Office).

1992

Beijing Shimada Shoji Clothes Auxiliary Materials Co., Ltd. is established.

1994

Takayuki Shimada becomes President.
Thai Shimada Co., Ltd. is established.

1995

Shimada Shoji (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is established.

1997

Representative Office In Ho Chi Minh City opens.

2001

International standardization ISO 14001 certification acquisition of environmental management system at Head Office.
Representative Office In Shanghai opens.

2002

Tsunehiro Shimada becomes Chief Executive Officer, and Akira Shimada Chairman.

2003

Tsunehiro Shimada becomes Adviser.

2005

Exhibited at China International Garment & Textile Fair in Dalian, China.

2006

Takayuki Shimada becomes chairman and Masatake Shimada President.
Shimada Shoji (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. is established.
Exhibited at Intertextile Beijing in Beijing.

2007

Participated in the ISPO MUNICH and Intertextile SHANGHAI trade fairs.

2008

TOWA PLUM Co., Ltd. became a subsidiary.

2010

Exhibited at Mod’Amont Exhibition in Paris.

2011

Nobuhiro Shimada and Toshio Shimada take on representative roles as Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director respectively.
Chairman Takayuki Shimada takes on role of Auditor.

2012

Representative Office In Jakarta opens.

2015

Exhibited at A+A in Dusseldorf.

2017

Shimada Shoji becomes a bluesign® system partner.

2018

Shimada Shoji adopted the business unit system for its organizational structure. I.D.S. Co., Ltd. is established.

2019

PT. SHIMADA SHOJI INDONESIA is established.

2020

VIETNAM TRIM PARK COMPANY LIMITED is established.
CRAFT PARKS CO., LTD. is established.
New Building of Fukuyama Office is completed.

2021

Masatake Shimada becomes chairman and Nobuhiro Shimada President.
F.D.I. Co., Ltd. is established.
VIETNAM TRIM MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED is established.

2023

Senior Managing Director Toshio Shimada takes on role of Auditor.

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