CHRONOLOGY

• 2013

  • The Completion of the New Office Building

    　The new office building was completed in December 2012 and started its operation in January 2013. This building was configured on a universal design that allowed flexible layout changes and functioned as the global communication hub for information exchange and speedy decision making within Stanley Group. It was an environment-friendly building certified as CASBEE Class S (the highest rank in the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency). All light bulbs in the building were LED bulbs, so the building itself was a showcase for LED lighting. In 2013, the building design was selected by the Japan Institute of Architects for its architectural excellence, and it became a local landmark.

    

    Headquarters Communication Hub

  • Mar.

    The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued cease and desist orders and surcharge payment orders to automotive lamps manufacturers

  • Apr.

    Stanley floodlights installed for the Kabukiza Theatre to reproduce the moonlight

  • Jul.

    Established Shenzhen Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. (SST)

  • Nov.

    Approved conclusion of the plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice

  The Completion of the New Office Building

  　The new office building was completed in December 2012 and started its operation in January 2013. This building was configured on a universal design that allowed flexible layout changes and functioned as the global communication hub for information exchange and speedy decision making within Stanley Group. It was an environment-friendly building certified as CASBEE Class S (the highest rank in the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency). All light bulbs in the building were LED bulbs, so the building itself was a showcase for LED lighting. In 2013, the building design was selected by the Japan Institute of Architects for its architectural excellence, and it became a local landmark.

  

  Headquarters Communication Hub

• 2014

  • Jan.

    LED-H/L on Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Z1000 motorcycle for the first time

  • Started mass production of LEDs (H9J) that led to the LED implementation of headlamps

  • Apr.

    Launched the V Three-year Medium-term Management Plan

  • LED-H/L on Honda's mini motorcycle PCX for the first time

  • Sep.

    LID, R/C that realized uniform continuous emissions on the Toyota Lexus NX

  • Nov.

    The new headquarters building won the design award from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)

• 2015

  • Feb.

    ADBs (Adaptive Driving Beams) on the Mazda CX-5 H/L for the first time

    

    Stanley's first ADB (Adaptive Driving Beams) on the Mazda CX-5

    

    Mechanical structure of ADB

  • Apr.

    Established Stanley Electric Manufacturing Mexico S.A. de C.V. (SMX)

  • Sep.

    Established Tianjin Stanley Electric Technology Co., Ltd. (TST)

  • Relocated Stanley Miyagi Works to a new factory

  • Nov.

    Reorganized the Okazaki Factory

  • 

    Stanley's first ADB (Adaptive Driving Beams) on the Mazda CX-5

  • 

    Mechanical structure of ADB

• 2016

  • Dec.

    Start Real-Time Project to promote Real time Management

  • LED Floodlights with Ultra Narrow Light Angle for Niagara Falls illumination

  

  LED Floodlights with Ultra Narrow Light Angle for Niagara Falls illumination

  

  Surface light source to realize privacy mode on the HP Elite Book

• 2017

  • Jan.

    Acquired technology and facilities of deep ultraviolet LEDs from Tokuyama Corporation

    The Acquisition of Deep Ultraviolet LED Technology

    　In January 2017, Stanley Electric struck an agreement with Tokuyama Corporation for the acquisition of deep ultraviolet LED technology and facilities. In March 2020, Stanley Electric acquired the ownership of HexaTech, Inc., the world's top-level enterprise that successfully developed grain-free (defect-free) large-diameter aluminum nitride crystals, which were key materials for deep ultraviolet LEDs. This enabled Stanley Group alone to carry out all production processes from semiconductor chips to LED packages, making lower-cost and stable production possible. In May of the same year, Stanley Electric successfully produced the world's highest output level at a wavelength of 265 nm, where powerful disinfection capability was achieved. Also, the company collaborated with Yamaguchi University and conducted evaluation tests on the effectiveness of the LEDs against the new coronavirus. As a result, the tests showed that they were highly effective against the virus. The company offers optimal sterilization methods in different customer applications of disinfection items, contributing to various environmental solutions.

    

    Deep ultraviolet LED

  • Apr.

    Launched the 6th phase of Three-year Medium-term Management Plan

  • May

    Announced the establishment of mass production technology of deep ultraviolet LED (emission wavelength: 265 nm) that realized world-leading output

  • Jun.

    Established the Principle as a philosophy to thoroughly offer products in consideration of end-users' safety

  • Jul.

    Established flexible line H/L technology

  • Aug.

    LED Floodlights for Niagara Falls illumination won the IES Illumination Award

  • Dec.

    Established technology for matrix light source ADB-H/L

  The Acquisition of Deep Ultraviolet LED Technology

  　In January 2017, Stanley Electric struck an agreement with Tokuyama Corporation for the acquisition of deep ultraviolet LED technology and facilities. In March 2020, Stanley Electric acquired the ownership of HexaTech, Inc., the world's top-level enterprise that successfully developed grain-free (defect-free) large-diameter aluminum nitride crystals, which were key materials for deep ultraviolet LEDs. This enabled Stanley Group alone to carry out all production processes from semiconductor chips to LED packages, making lower-cost and stable production possible. In May of the same year, Stanley Electric successfully produced the world's highest output level at a wavelength of 265 nm, where powerful disinfection capability was achieved. Also, the company collaborated with Yamaguchi University and conducted evaluation tests on the effectiveness of the LEDs against the new coronavirus. As a result, the tests showed that they were highly effective against the virus. The company offers optimal sterilization methods in different customer applications of disinfection items, contributing to various environmental solutions.

  

  Deep ultraviolet LED

• 2018

  • Aug.

    Newly established an environmental business project

  • Nov.

    UV-CCL reactor for water sterilization installed on the AquaClara/Nestle Japan Nescafe Gold Blend Barista 50 and other products for the first time

• 2019

  • Apr.

    LED Floodlights with Ultra Narrow Light Angle installed for the restoration project of Herz Jesu Kirche Düsseldorf in Germany

  • Opened the Minatomirai Technical Center (MMTC)

    The Opening of the Minato Mirai Technical Center and Light Tunnel Building

    　Stanley Electric established the Minato Mirai Technical Center (MMTC) in May 2019 in order to transform itself into a lamp system manufacturer. At the MMTC, design processes are centralized and standardized to convert customer requirement definitions efficiently into drawings and to design system architecture, creating new value and facilitate system development.
    　In July 2020, the company opened the Light Tunnel Building in an area next to the Hatano Factory. The building is capable of producing artificial rain and mist to carry out tests with a real vehicle. This made it possible to develop lamp systems for safe driving under various conditions.

    

    Final appearance checks conducted with CAD at Minatomirai Technical Center (MMTC)

  • Jul.

    The development of ceramics LED H9J Series won the Stanley Award, the first award since its foundation in 1995

  • Aug.

    Won the 2019 IES Award of Excellence for the Japonismes 2018 special light-up: Eiffel Tower dressed in Japanese lights

  • Oct.

    Made HELLA's group company, Hella-Phil., Inc., a subsidiary. (Renamed Stanley Electric Philippines, Inc. (SEP) in May 2020)

  • Due to Typhoon Hagibis, the Japan Ladies Professional Golfers' Association held its first tournament without spectators

  • Nov.

    Capital participation in Electropolymers (Private) Limited (EPL) of Pakistan

  • Made HexaTech, Inc. (HXT) with technology to manufacture aluminum nitride (AℓN) a subsidiary

  The Opening of the Minato Mirai Technical Center and Light Tunnel Building

  　Stanley Electric established the Minato Mirai Technical Center (MMTC) in May 2019 in order to transform itself into a lamp system manufacturer. At the MMTC, design processes are centralized and standardized to convert customer requirement definitions efficiently into drawings and to design system architecture, creating new value and facilitate system development.
  　In July 2020, the company opened the Light Tunnel Building in an area next to the Hatano Factory. The building is capable of producing artificial rain and mist to carry out tests with a real vehicle. This made it possible to develop lamp systems for safe driving under various conditions.

  

  Final appearance checks conducted with CAD at Minatomirai Technical Center (MMTC)

• 2020

  • Jan.

    WSE shut down due to the spread of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China

  • Mar.

    BCP activated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the start of work-at-home scheme

  • Apr.

    Launched Stanley Group Third Long-term Management Goals

    The Establishment of Stanley Group's Third Long-term Management Goals

    　In order to establish the Stanley Group Vision, the company established the Third Long-term Management Goals in 2020. Its principle is to contribute to society by ensuring safety and security while its objective is to relieve vulnerable people and eliminate fatal accidents around the world through corporate activities. The company started efforts to create a sustainable society while promoting economic development, by using the company's strengths--light value creation and manufacturing--to ensure the safety and security of various things around the world.

  • Launched the 7th Three-year Medium-term Management Plan

  • Jun.

    Opened the Light Tunnel Building next to the Hatano Factory (currently, HTC)

    

    Light-up of the Nippon Budokan arena by Motoko Ishii, a globally known lighting designer

  • Oct.

    The Stanley Ladies Golf Tournament was held without spectators to prevent the spread of COVID-19

  • Nov.

    Opened the Design Technology Building next to the Hatano Factory (currently, HTC)

    

    Hatano Design Technology Building (left) and Light Tunnel Building (right)

  • Introduced a retirement age extension system (age 65) and special job change support measures as human resources measures towards medium-term growth

  • RAYBRIG won the series championship at its final SUPER GT by staging a major comeback

    

    Following its victory in 2018, Team Kunimitsu won the 2020 SUPER GT Championships, bringing RAYBRIG to a perfect finish

  • Dec.

    Announcement of collaboration agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation focusing on automotive lamp system business

    Business Collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric

    　In recent years, in order to provide compatibility with ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant System) and to help create a self-driving society, automotive lamps are required to have a system to integrate various functions at advanced levels.
    　In December 2020, We made an announcement Stanley Electric are going to sign a collaboration agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for joint initiatives in the automotive lamp system business （development,design, manufacturing, and sales). The two companies agreed to develop automotive lamp systems with much higher safety and functionality through this collaboration by integrating Stanley Electric's strengths--optical design technology and automotive lamp manufacturing technology--and Mitsubishi Electric's strengths--advanced control system technology.
    　Stanley Electric started efforts to improve its competitiveness as a lamp system manufacturer in order to expand its automotive lamp business while eliminating fatal traffic accidents.

  • Celebrated the 100th anniversary

  The Establishment of Stanley Group's Third Long-term Management Goals

  　In order to establish the Stanley Group Vision, the company established the Third Long-term Management Goals in 2020. Its principle is to contribute to society by ensuring safety and security while its objective is to relieve vulnerable people and eliminate fatal accidents around the world through corporate activities. The company started efforts to create a sustainable society while promoting economic development, by using the company's strengths--light value creation and manufacturing--to ensure the safety and security of various things around the world.

  Business Collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric

  　In recent years, in order to provide compatibility with ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant System) and to help create a self-driving society, automotive lamps are required to have a system to integrate various functions at advanced levels.
  　In December 2020, We made an announcement Stanley Electric are going to sign a collaboration agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for joint initiatives in the automotive lamp system business （development,design, manufacturing, and sales). The two companies agreed to develop automotive lamp systems with much higher safety and functionality through this collaboration by integrating Stanley Electric's strengths--optical design technology and automotive lamp manufacturing technology--and Mitsubishi Electric's strengths--advanced control system technology.
  　Stanley Electric started efforts to improve its competitiveness as a lamp system manufacturer in order to expand its automotive lamp business while eliminating fatal traffic accidents.

  

  Light-up of the Nippon Budokan arena by Motoko Ishii, a globally known lighting designer

  

  Hatano Design Technology Building (left) and Light Tunnel Building (right)

  

  Following its victory in 2018, Team Kunimitsu won the 2020 SUPER GT Championships, bringing RAYBRIG to a perfect finish

• 2021

  • Jan.

    Launched the ultraviolet product brand, AℓNUV

    The Birth of the AℓNUV Brand

    　Stanley Electric launched the AℓNUV brand for its deep ultraviolet products, in order to offer various products and solutions for surface, air, and water disinfection applications based on the disinfection effect of the company's deep ultraviolet light sources.
    The AℓNUV brand visualized the technologies for 265-nm LEDs and 254-nm cold-cathode ultraviolet lamps which both offered powerful disinfection capability as well as for light source modules and systems which had an increased variation of light source wavelengths. This was how the company's products were distinguished. The brand name AℓNUV was a coined term that combined "AlN" (aluminum nitride substrate) and "UV" (ultraviolet).

    

  • Takanori Kitano, President, passed away

    The Passing of President Takanori Kitano

    　President Takanori Kitano passed away at 3:45 on January 26, 2021, after a battle with illness. He was 64 years old. He started to lead the company as the Representative Senior Managing Director in June 1990, and since then, he drove the company for 30 years. His accomplishments in bringing the company to its current status were so exceptional that words cannot express them. A private funeral was held on January 31, 2021.

  • Then-Vice President Yutaka Hiratsuka appointed as President and then-Managing Director Toru Tanabe Representative Managing Director

  • Mar.

    Review of principles and functions of the Governance Committee

  • Jun.

    Launched a new governance system for management

    New Management and Governance Structure Reform

    　After the passing of President Takanori Kitano, an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held in the afternoon on January 26, 2021. At the meeting, a resolution was made to appoint then-Vice President Yutaka Hiratsuka as the President and then-Managing Director Toru Tanabe as the Representative Managing Director.
    　After that, a meeting of the governance committee was held. The position of the governance committee, which until then served as an advisory body for the representative director, was reviewed. It was suggested that the governance committee be reorganized as an advisory body for the board of directors in order to strengthen the governance structure. After discussions by the governance committee, at a meeting of the board of directors on March 22, a resolution was passed to, in principle, reorganize the governance committee as follows: (1) It will be an advisory body for the board of directors; (2) It will consist of a majority of outside directors; and (3) Its chairperson will be an outside director.
    　After the loss of President Kitano, the governance committee was reorganized as an advisory body for the board of directors under the new management, and it became easier for the company to accept opinions of outside directors that have extensive knowledge and experience. It was also decided that the appointment and remuneration of directors would be determined on the advice of the governance committee. This was how the company's governance structure was changed significantly
    　Hirokazu Kono, an Outside Director, was appointed as the chairperson of the governance committee.

    The Start of the New Governance Structure

    　On June 24, 2021, after the 116th ordinary general meeting of shareholders, a meeting of the board of directors was held. At this meeting, then-Representative Managing Director Toru Tanabe were appointed as the Representative Senior Managing Director and then-Director Yasuaki Kaizumi the Managing Director, and Tatsuaki Tomeoka was newly appointed as a Director. This was the company's first management that was formed on the advice of the governance committee. Under the new governance structure, the entrusted matters of directors and executive officers were reviewed to significantly strengthen the executive structure. Six new executive officers were added to increase the total number of executive officers to 19. This was to enhance initiatives in the 7th phase of Three-year Medium-term Management Plan.

    

    Yutaka Hiratsuka, President

    

    Toru Tanabe, Representative Senior Managing Director

    

    Yasuaki Kaizumi, Managing Director

  The Birth of the AℓNUV Brand

  　Stanley Electric launched the AℓNUV brand for its deep ultraviolet products, in order to offer various products and solutions for surface, air, and water disinfection applications based on the disinfection effect of the company's deep ultraviolet light sources.
  The AℓNUV brand visualized the technologies for 265-nm LEDs and 254-nm cold-cathode ultraviolet lamps which both offered powerful disinfection capability as well as for light source modules and systems which had an increased variation of light source wavelengths. This was how the company's products were distinguished. The brand name AℓNUV was a coined term that combined "AlN" (aluminum nitride substrate) and "UV" (ultraviolet).

  

  The Passing of President Takanori Kitano

  　President Takanori Kitano passed away at 3:45 on January 26, 2021, after a battle with illness. He was 64 years old. He started to lead the company as the Representative Senior Managing Director in June 1990, and since then, he drove the company for 30 years. His accomplishments in bringing the company to its current status were so exceptional that words cannot express them. A private funeral was held on January 31, 2021.

  New Management and Governance Structure Reform

  　After the passing of President Takanori Kitano, an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held in the afternoon on January 26, 2021. At the meeting, a resolution was made to appoint then-Vice President Yutaka Hiratsuka as the President and then-Managing Director Toru Tanabe as the Representative Managing Director.
  　After that, a meeting of the governance committee was held. The position of the governance committee, which until then served as an advisory body for the representative director, was reviewed. It was suggested that the governance committee be reorganized as an advisory body for the board of directors in order to strengthen the governance structure. After discussions by the governance committee, at a meeting of the board of directors on March 22, a resolution was passed to, in principle, reorganize the governance committee as follows: (1) It will be an advisory body for the board of directors; (2) It will consist of a majority of outside directors; and (3) Its chairperson will be an outside director.
  　After the loss of President Kitano, the governance committee was reorganized as an advisory body for the board of directors under the new management, and it became easier for the company to accept opinions of outside directors that have extensive knowledge and experience. It was also decided that the appointment and remuneration of directors would be determined on the advice of the governance committee. This was how the company's governance structure was changed significantly
  　Hirokazu Kono, an Outside Director, was appointed as the chairperson of the governance committee.

  The Start of the New Governance Structure

  　On June 24, 2021, after the 116th ordinary general meeting of shareholders, a meeting of the board of directors was held. At this meeting, then-Representative Managing Director Toru Tanabe were appointed as the Representative Senior Managing Director and then-Director Yasuaki Kaizumi the Managing Director, and Tatsuaki Tomeoka was newly appointed as a Director. This was the company's first management that was formed on the advice of the governance committee. Under the new governance structure, the entrusted matters of directors and executive officers were reviewed to significantly strengthen the executive structure. Six new executive officers were added to increase the total number of executive officers to 19. This was to enhance initiatives in the 7th phase of Three-year Medium-term Management Plan.

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    Yutaka Hiratsuka, President

  • 

    Toru Tanabe, Representative Senior Managing Director

  • 

    Yasuaki Kaizumi, Managing Director

  Memorial Service for President Kitano

  　A memorial service for Takanori Kitano, Stanley Electric's 5th President, was held on February 1, 2022. The memorial service, which had been delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, took place at the Heian Room of The Okura Tokyo. In spite of the COVID-19 quasi-emergency measures in place, customers and his friends, about 650 people in total, attended the service. After offering flowers at the altar, the attendees moved to a memorial exhibition and remembered him by looking at photographs of Kitano's life and his beloved car, a Jensen Healey, exhibited at the center of the hall.

  

  Memorial service for Takanori Kitano

  Stanley Technology Exhibition 2022

  　The Stanley Technology Exhibition 2022 was held under the theme of "Light up the new 100 years" from March 16 to 18, 2022, as part of the company's 100th anniversary. The exhibition intended to promote all stakeholders' understanding of what Stanley Electric aims to be in the next 100 years in order to expand business and help the company further develop.
  　Initially, it was scheduled to take place at an external venue, but it was held online through video streaming because of the preventive measures for COVID-19 infection.
  　The exhibition began with an introduction to "TADAS," the company's concept for product development to deliver safety and security to all people at lower cost, and then broadcasted live coverage of its areas themed as "safety and security of mobility," "safety and security of people's lives," "light sources," "carbon-neutral," "monozukuri (manufacturing)," and "various solutions utilizing light." Many customers watched and asked questions.
  　Being an unprecedented event for the company with various technical challenges, the exhibition was successful and received many favorable comments.