History

Daifuku has always responded to the needs of our customers and contributed to social progress. We have played a leading role in our industry by supporting its growth with countless innovative material handling systems and devices, some of which were a first for Japan, or even the world. We look back at some of our milestones.

FEATURED

Telelift Monorail System Employed in Hospitals and Libraries

In 1975, Daifuku delivered its first Telelift, a system that runs across the ceiling and transports documents and other materials, to Omiya Red Cross Hospital. Since then, the system was employed in libraries, companies, and other places across Japan, where it contributed to streamlining administrative tasks.

Sep 15, 2023

History

Control Technologies Beyond Material Handling: Establishment of New Companies in Daifuku’s First In-house Venture

In April 1975, we established two companies, Contec and Paltec, as subsidiaries, in what was Daifuku’s first in-house venture. The two companies would apply the control technologies that we had cultivated in material handling to other fields.

Aug 17, 2023

History

Japan’s First Refrigerated AS/RS Begins Operation

In 1973, we delivered the first of our refrigerated AS/RS solutionss to meet the growing demand for frozen foods. It realized automation of storage and retrieval work in a low-temperature environment with a warehouse temperature of −40°C.

Jul 18, 2023

History

Building a New Production Base that Coexists with the Natural Environment

In 1970, we acquired a large tract of land of about 1.2 million square meters in Hino, Shiga Prefecture, and commenced construction of our Hino Plant (now Shiga Works).

Jun 15, 2023

History

Japan’s First Automated Warehouse Developed

In 1966, we developed and delivered our first Rackbuil and Rack Master System. This system became a groundbreaking technological innovation that overturned the traditional concept of warehousing in Japan.

May 15, 2023

History

The Role of Prontow, Japan’s First AGV

In 1965, we started manufacturing and selling Prontow. It contributed to labor saving in a wide range of industries in Japan amid a period of high economic growth.

Apr 17, 2023

History

Rapid Growth as Bowling Boomed in Popularity

Our Komaki Plant was completed and came into operation in 1963. We launched production of Japan’s first ever ten-pin bowling machine.

Mar 15, 2023

History

Daifuku Supplied the Conveyors for the First Factory in Japan to Exclusively Manufacture Passenger Cars

In 1959, we supplied a Webb conveyor system to the Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. Motomachi Plant.

Feb 15, 2023

History

The Mitejima Factory Laid the Foundations for Daifuku’s Rapid Growth

In 1939, we purchased a 14,470 m² site in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka and launched the Mitejima Factory.

Jan 16, 2023

History

Webb's Chain Conveyor and Technology Made Huge Contributions to the Automobile Industry

In the early years of the North American automobile industry, Jervis B. Webb Company, a member of the Daifuku Group, supplied chain conveyors to automobile manufacturers.