TDK

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This article is about the Japanese electronics company. For other meanings of TDK, see TDK (disambiguation).
TDK Corporation
Type Public KK
Traded as TYO: 6762
Industry Electronics
Founded December 7, 1935
Headquarters Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
Area served Worldwide
Key people Takehiro Kamigama (President)
Products CD, DVD, Blu-ray, Electrical components, Power supplies
Revenue Increase ¥875.73 billion
US$10.55 billion
(2011)[1]
Operating income Increase ¥63.842 billion
US$769.18 million
(2011)[1]
Net income Increase ¥45.26 billion
US$545.34 million
(2011)[1]
Total assets Decrease ¥1,060.85 billion
US$12.78 billion
(2011)[1]
Total equity Decrease ¥539.76 billion
US$6.50 billion
(2011)[1]
Employees 87,809[1]
Website www.global.tdk.com

TDK Corporation (TDK株式会社 TDK Kabushiki-gaisha), formerly TDK Electronics Co., Ltd (東京電気化学工業株式会社), is a Japanese multinational electronics company that manufactures electronic materials, electronic components, and recording and data-storage media. Its motto is "Contribute to culture and industry through creativity".[2]

TDK is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.

Name

"TDK" is an acronym of the original Japanese name of the company: Tokyo Denkikagaku Kogyo, (Tokyo Electronics and Chemicals).

History

A TDK "SA" for 'Super Avilyn' compact cassette

TDK was founded in Japan on 7 December 1935 to manufacture iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei.[3] In 1952 they began production of magnetic tapes, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966; it is for these that the company is most widely noted. TDK used to manufacture an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until it licensed the rights to do so to Imation. Imation also now manufactures USB flash drives under this license.

Operations in the USA began in 1965 with a New York City office,[4] and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany.[5]

In the '90s TDK's Mass Storage Division included brushless DC spindle motors, magnetoresistance (MR) heads and thin-film heads.

Since 1997 TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR, then the AD and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA line in 2004. The SA and D lines were withdrawn in 2012 under Imation ownership. Industry trends see the company moving into new forms of media; in 2004 TDK was the first media-manufacturer to join the companies developing BD post-DVD technology.[4] TDK operated a semiconductor division in California for about a decade, but divested it in 2005.

Since June 2006, Takehiro Kamigama has been president, having been nominated by his predecessor, Hajime Sawabe, who currently serves as chairman.

In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million.[6][7]

Sponsorship and advertising

The TDK sign at Piccadilly Circus in London.

TDK sponsored Dutch giant Ajax for several years in 1980s during which it won the European Cupwinners Cup in 1987. From 1993 to 1998, TDK were also the sponsors of the English football club Crystal Palace, who were promoted to the Premier League twice during this era, though lasting for just one season before being relegated on both occasions. It is a current sponsor of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It also sponsors activities and events such as those at The Cross nightclub in Central London, and since 1990 has had a prominent sign at Piccadilly Circus. TDK also owned a sign on One Times Square since 2000. The screen is placed under that of Toshiba and can be seen during the annual Times Square New Year's Ball Drop.

In 2002, the company's consumer electronics division was the presenting sponsor of the Third Annual Jammy Awards, with the TDK Live Performance of the Year award honoring the best live performance that was legally available on the Web as a free download. The award was given to the band moe. for their performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.

TDK's own football club, based in Nikaho, Akita, recently split from the corporation to become independent football club Blaublitz Akita, with aim for the professional leagues.

Museum

TDK operates a company museum at its Hirasawa plant in Japan.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 TDK Corporation. "Financial Results for FY March 2011". 
  2. ↑ "TDK Japan site: motto and principles.". 
  3. ↑ "TDK Hong Kong site". 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "TDK Japan site: corporate history". 
  5. ↑ "TDK Europe site: corporate history". 
  6. ↑ Modine, Austin. "Imation buys TDK's recording media biz", The Register, 19 April 2007.
  7. ↑ "Imation and TDK Agree to Imation's Acquisition of TDK Brand Recording Media Business for $300 Million in Stock and Cash", Press Release, Imation.com, 19 April 2007.

External links

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