History of Corporate Value Creation and Evolution

The curtain on Kanamoto’s history was raised in October 1964 in Muroran, the center of steel manufacturing in Hokkaido. Over the years, Kanamoto has grown by transforming and expanding its core business and refusing to be content with the status quo, through actions such as strategic branch development, the formation of alliances, the public listing of its stock and the pursuit of opportunities in overseas markets. For more than 50 years, Kanamoto has walked hand-in-hand with “change.” The trail blazed by Kanamoto, which has taken many turns and never been without challenges, is introduced below.

1960s

Born during the high-growth era, and created today's rental equipment prototype

1964: Kanamoto Shoten Co., Ltd. Established (Reorganization in Muroran, Hokkaido); Zenchu Kanamoto appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, and Taichu Kanamoto appointed Executive Director

1970s

Began branch development, the transition to new businesses and expansion into new regions

1971: Began branch development in Hokkaido
1972: Company name changed to Kanamoto Co., Ltd.
1973: Former headquarters building (Muroran) completed
1979: Established branch in Aomori Prefecture, marking the first expansion outside of Hokkaido

1980s

Evolved into a public company and grew in a new direction towards the information age

1981: Taichu Kanamoto appointed President and Chief Executive Officer
1983: Established branch in Chiba Prefecture and began branch development in the Kanto Region; Launched Computer and Peripheral Equipment Division as the Company’s third operating division (Tomakomai, Hokkaido; relocated to Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo the following year)
1985: Established the Construction Equipment Rental Division Tokyo Office (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo); Completed online computer system network linking all branches

1990s

Listed stock on the Sapporo Securities Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange, Second Section, and subsequently listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section

1991: Listed stock on the Sapporo Securities Exchange
1994: Established branch in Aichi Prefecture and began branch development in the Tokai Region; Established branch in Osaka Prefecture and began branch development in the Kinki Region
1996: Listed stock on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange; Relocated head office functions to Sapporo, Chuo Ward
1998: Stock elevated to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange; Kanchu Kanamoto appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, and Taichu Kanamoto appointed Chairman of the Board and Representative Director
1999: Completed construction on the Kanamoto Hamamatsucho K Building

2000s

Formed alliance group and took first steps toward global expansion of the Kanamoto Group

2000: Began earnest execution of alliance strategy, including conclusion of alliance with Machida Kikou Co., Ltd. and acquisition of Kanatech Co., Ltd. stock
2004: Established branch in Kagawa Prefecture and began branch development in Shikoku
2006: Established subsidiary in Shanghai, China and began expansion outside of Japan
2007: Introduced special benefits plan for shareholders
2009: Established subsidiaries in Shanghai, China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

2010s

Celebrated 50th anniversary of Kanamoto's founding, and further honed our determination to seek change

2011: Began operations in Singapore
2014: Changed stock trading unit size from 1,000 shares to 100 shares; 50th anniversary of Kanamoto’s establishment
2015: Successively expanded
operations into Indonesia,
Vietnam, Thailand, the
Philippines, and ASEAN
countries; Kanamoto’s stock selected as a component issue for the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 (subsequently selected as an issue for the index for four consecutive years)
2016: Tetsuo Kanamoto appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, and Kanchu Kanamoto appointed Chairman of the Board and Representative Director; Stock selected as a constituent issue of the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index
2017: Established new companies in Thailand and Shanghai, China
2018: Established branch in Fukuoka Prefecture and began branch development in Kyushu; Expanded operations into Malaysia