HISTORY
In 1947, Hajime Watanabe established what became the forerunner of Towa Corporation in Kurume, Japan.
Kurume, located in Southern Japan, has been known throughout the world due to being the birthplace of many rubber products.
1940’s
1947
Founder Hajime Watanabe starts up Toko Shokai (Eng. Trans: Toko Co.) in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and begins producing and selling work gloves.
1950’s
1958
Founding of Towa Glove Co. inside of Towa Koko Youhin. Production of Cotton and Leather gloves transferred to Towa Glove Co. Headquarters established in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
1960’s
1960
Founder Hajime Watanabe starts up Toko Shokai (Eng. Trans: Toko Co.) in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and begins producing and selling work gloves.
Establishment of the Osaka Sales Office
1963
Establishment of the Taku Factory in Taku, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Production of sewn gloves for export started.
1964
Establishment of the Saga Factory in Higashimatsuura (Present: Karatsu), Saga Prefecture, Japan. Production of household and work latex gloves started.
All Sales Sections absorbed from Towa Koko Youhin.
1965
Factories achieved JIS (Japan Industrial Standard) certification
1969
Establishment of the Tokyo Sales Office
1980’s
1985
Established the 1st overseas factory in Malaysia (Kai Sik Towa Rubber Products SDN. BHD). Main production is Latex gloves.
1989
Company name changed to Towa Corporation to create a new corporate image.
1990’s
1990
Established the Sapporo Sales Office
1994
Establishment of the 2nd overseas factory in Shanghai, China. Production of vinyl work gloves started.
1996
Establishment of the 3rd overseas factory in Mingzhu, China. Production of knitted, latex & vinyl gloves started.
Established the 1st overseas office in Shanghai (Towa Protective Appliance(Shanghai) Co.,Ltd)
1997
50th Anniversary
1999
Towa Corporation becomes the 1st Japanese glove manufacturer to be granted ISO 9002
Launched the PowerGrab Series
Invented the MicroFinish grip technology
2000’s
2000
Founder Hajime Watanabe starts up Toko Shokai (Eng. Trans: Toko Co.) in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and begins producing and selling work gloves.
2001
Established a recycling center for the domestic market
2004
Released the ActivGrip Advance, the soon to be flagship model of the ActivGrip Series
2005
Granted ISO 14001
Established the 2nd overseas office in the U.S.A. (Towa U.S.A. Inc)
Released the cold weather adept PowerGrab Thermo
2007
Launched the WithGarden series.
2010’s
2014
Launched the ExxoGuard series
2015
Establishment of the 4th overseas factory in Pabna, Bangladesh.
2020’s
2021
Establishment of the overseas factory in Shaoxing, China.
2022
Invented the NanoFinish grip technology
Launched the MagneX series