Chikuma is continuously pushing itself to become a company that can prosper and progress with the times.
Taking on various challenges based on cultivated expertise, we have established a uniform recycling system and developed eco-friendly products.
Chikuma has always worked to satisfy the needs of the time, and this is reflected in our strong legacy.
We will continue to make history as a company contributing to society.
| 1867 | Chikuma Rihei opened Kenbishi-Ya kimono and fabric store in Motomachi, Kobe. |
|---|---|
| 1903 |
Founder Chikuma Junzaburou established Chikuma Junzaburou Shoten in Motomachi, Kobe, a store specializing in the import and sales of foreign-made wool fabrics. 
Chikuma Junzaburou
|
| 1916 | The business was reorganized as a joint stock company, Chikuma Shoten Co., Ltd., with Chikuma Junzaburou taking up the post of the first president and director. |
| 1922 |
Junzaburou visited Europe for the first time. He made a round of visits to the wholesalers and customers in various parts of Europe, and was covered in a report in the British daily national newspaper, The Times. 
First trip to Europe
|
| 1926 |
Built Chikuma Shoten, a new store in the main street of Motomachi 3-chome, Kobe. The original store, on the other hand, continued to be called Kenbishi-Ya. 
Kenbishi-Ya woolen textile store
|
| 1928 | Opened Osaka Branch |
| 1933 | Consolidated Chikuma Shoten and Kenbishi-Ya, and relocated Head Office |
| 1944 |
Chikuma Junnosuke became the president and director 
Chikuma Junnosuke
|
| 1950 | Expanded export operations to the U.S. and other countries around the world, while resuming woolen fabric imports from the UK |
| 1952 |
Completion of Kobe Head Office building 
Kobe Head Office immediately after completion
|
| 1960 | Initiated business with Teijin Limited |
| 1964 | Relocated Tokyo Branch to Kanda-Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku |
| 1971 |
Newly established Minoh Logistic Center 
Logistic Center immediately after completion
|
| 1976 |
Made a decision to computerize the operations and adopted FACOM 230-28S (a computer system made by Fujitsu). Operations started in April of the following year. 
Computer room at the time
Teijin Uni Series Association was formed (to be later renamed Teijin Uni Association) 
A scene from Uniform Exhibition
|
| 1977 | Chikuma Junnosuke was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, Fourth class |
| 1983 | Opened Sendai Office Completion of the new building of Tokyo Branch Office |
| 1987 | Replaced the former divisional system with departmental system |
| 1991 | Changed company name from Chikuma Sangyo Co., Ltd. to Chikuma & Co., Ltd. Completion of Chikuma Nagoya Building |
| 1992 |
Established Hiroshima Logistic Center (Chikuma PD Hiroshima Co., Ltd.) 
A scene from the advertisement
|
| 1993 |
Completion of the new building of Osaka Head Office 
External view of Osaka Head Office
|
| 1994 | Opened Shanghai office |
| 1995 | Environmentally Friendly Business Development Group was formed (current Environmental Promotion Office) |
| 1997 | Established a garment manufacturing base in Vietnam Initiated sales of the eco-mark-bearing uniforms made from recycled PET bottles Entered into a contract with Kinloch Anderson, a long-standing maker of Scottish tartans |
| 1998 | Launched the EARTHINK® Recycle System |
| 2000 | Acquired ISO 14001 certification |
| 2001 | Entered into a business collaboration with Henry Poole & Co, a fine tailoring establishment from the UK |
| 2003 | 100th anniversary of the company’s foundation |
| 2004 |
Became the first to acquire a certificate under the National Permit System pertaining to the disposal of industrial waste 
The Fukuiku logo
|
| 2007 | Received the Minister of the Environment Commendation for promoting recycling-based society |
| 2009 | Established a garment manufacturing base in Myanmar Received the METI Minister’s Award at the 11th Green Purchasing Award |
| 2010 | Registered with the CFP (Carbon Footprint) Communication Program and became the first company in the uniform industry to market uniform products bearing the CFP label Received the Environmental Value Creation Award at the 8th Japan Environmental Management Awards Environmental Promotion Office participated in the Kitakyushu City Environmental Future Technology Development Subsidy Project (Kitakyushu Eco-Town, Social System / Verification Research) |
| 2011 | Through a joint investment of Chikuma and two other companies, founded NCS & Co., Ltd., a company engaging in collection and recycling of used clothes |
| 2012 | Opened Sapporo Office |
| 2014 | Initiated Japan’s first private-public cooperation of “collection and recycling of used clothing” with Kitakyushu City |
| 2018 |
Received the Premiere Vision Award (Paris) for its ethical fashion activities 
The Premiere Vision Award trophy
|
| 2019 |
Introduced its first collaboration brand with Mary Quant 
Collaborated-design uniform
|
| 2022 | Launched the vest Chikuma-No-Smafa that contains an electric fan |
| 2023 | 120th anniversary of the company’s foundation |