1954

Creation of the Showa company (Showa Kako Co Ltd) by Akeo Tanaka

1980

Invention of the seamless knit glove

1985

Introduction of a range of polyurethane/nylon gloves, the internationally successful B0 range

1994

Development of a high-grip natural rubber range with a flat coating (310 gloves)

2000

Establishment of Showa in Europe

2007

Acquisition of Best Manufacturing Co.

Group history

A major player in the world market for hand protection

Showa originated as a small Japanese company founded in 1954 by Akeo Tanaka. Fifty years later, it has become a major international player in professional hand protection.

In Japanese "Showa" means the "search for balance between different, even opposing elements", the right balance between safety, dexterity and comfort which is evident in all its products.

Showa leads the market in its country with almost 50% of gloves worn by professionals and individual consumers. The secret of its durability is doubtless that it has always relied on its own strengths to develop its infrastructure. Control over each step in the chain, from design through to marketing, gives it an expertise that is particularly recognised by its customers.

Showa’s production capacity has doubled in five years, with the opening of a new factory located in Ho Chi Minh City in 2005. Steps such as these are needed to reach its ambitious target for 2010: to double its industrial production to support its growth in international markets. The acquisition of Best Manufacturing Co. in 2007 enabled Showa Group to extend its product portfolio and strengthen industrial synergies.

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