History

precision molding

1963 - 1972
From foundation to export of precision molds

Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. was established by founder Akira Konishi in Fushimi, Kyoto. With the module system for manufacturing molds that he invented himself, the company started out as a precision mold manufacturer with a venture spirit. In less than 10 years after its establishment, Dai-ichi Seiko’s advanced mold technology was highly evaluated internationally, and it won orders one after another from Japan and abroad. It built a solid business foundation as a precision mold manufacturer.

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  • 1960

    The module system for manufacturing molds was invented, featuring a full-split structure, complete heat treatment hardening and complete machining.

  • Mold finished product
  • Participated in the “National Plastic Exhibition” held in Chicago for the first time as a company in the Japanese mold industry.
  • 1963

    From craftsmanship to modern industry

    Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. was established as a company specializing in the manufacture of high precision molds.

Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
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  • 1964

    Expanded the plant and established a jig department utilizing the precision machining technology cultivated through mold manufacturing.

  • 1968

    Started export of precision plastic molds to the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Singapore.

  • アメリカからの視察団

1969

Purchased a 26,400-m² plant site in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture, in preparation for business expansion.

Purchased a 26,400-m2 plant site in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture, in preparation for business expansion.
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  • 1971

    Export growth owing to its high reputation as a Company “exceeding international standards”

    Participated in the “National Plastic Exhibition” held in Chicago for the first time as a company in the Japanese mold industry.

  • Participated in the “National Plastic Exhibition” held in Chicago for the first time as a company in the Japanese mold industry.

Opened a representative office in Singapore.

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  • Developed an automatic packaging system for molding semiconductors.
  • 1972

    Developed an automatic packaging system for molding semiconductors.

  • Participated at the Japan Plastic Exhibition for the first time as a manufacturer specializing in molds.

    Opened the Tokyo Branch Office.

molded products

1973 - 1987
To start manufacturing plastic molded products

Dai-ichi Seiko forayed into the field of mass production of plastic molded products. It set up production bases in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Yamanashi through OEM production and spin-off management, and it established Singapore Dai-ichi Pte. Ltd. as its first overseas business establishment. In the 1980s, we released the world's first fully automatic semiconductor molding equipment, GP-SYSTEM. In the mid-1980s, the Dai-ichi Seiko Group exceeded 10 billion yen in sales, further deepening its business and expanding its scale.

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  • Challenge of becoming a precision component manufacturer
  • 1973

    Challenge of becoming a precision component manufacturer

    Proposed mass production of plastic molded products to customers and started contract manufacturing of precision plastic components.

  • Constructed a plant for mass production at the headquarters.
  • Constructed a plant for mass production at the headquarters.

  • 1974

    Expansion into the U.S.A., the forefront of the electronics industry

    Opened the Chicago Sales
    Office to strengthen export to the U.S.A.

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  • 1976

    Established Shuwa Seiko Co., Ltd., the first subsidiary, in Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

  • Shuwa Seiko Co., Ltd.
  • Established Eikosha Co., Ltd., the first mass production subsidiary, in Fuchu City, Tokyo.

  • Eikosha Co., Ltd.
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  • Established the first overseas production base in Southeast Asia
  • 1979

    Established the first overseas production base in Southeast Asia

    Established Singapore Dai-ichi Pte. Ltd. (now I-PEX Singapore Pte Ltd) as the first overseas production base.

  • Opening the door to the era of semiconductor mass production
  • 1980

    Opening the door to the era of semiconductor mass production

    Developed the world's first fully automatic semiconductor molding equipment “GP-SYSTEM.”

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  • 1981

    Making Fukuoka as a business base for the future

    Opened the Ogori Plant in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

  • Ogori Plant
  • 1986

    Expanded into Yamanashi to establish Kai Seiko Co., Ltd.

  • Yamanashi Plant
  • 1987

    Opened a second plant in Singapore (Kallang).

global expansion

1988 - 2003
Borderless production and procurement

While focusing on the integrated production of connectors and electronic mechanical parts and the production and sale of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in Japan, Dai-ichi Seiko started commissioned production of automotive components in the Philippines. Through the development of the world's first micro-coaxial connector and entry into the HDD parts business, Dai-ichi Seiko promoted the development of new markets and business diversification while expanding its production system to Southeast Asia, China and North America to establish an optimum site production system.

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  • 1988

    Start of contract
    manufacturing of automotive components

    Established Philippine, D-I Inc. in the Philippines as a production base.

  • Established Philippine, D-I Inc. in the Philippines as a production base.
  • Released the “GP-Zett,” a fully automatic semiconductor molding equipment for clean rooms.

  • Released the GP-Zett, a fully automatic semiconductor molding machine for clean rooms.
  • 1989

    Established MDI Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia (Johor Bahru) as a production base.

  • Established MDI Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia (Johor Bahru) as a production base.
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  • Developed a fully automatic IC lead inspection machine.
  • 1990

    Developed a fully automatic IC lead inspection machine.

  • Established Hitool (s) Pte. Ltd. (present I-PEX Singapore Pte Ltd, Woodlands Plant) in Singapore (Woodlands) as a production base.
  • 1991

    Established Hitool (s) Pte. Ltd. (now I-PEX Singapore Pte Ltd, Woodlands Plant) in Singapore (Woodlands) as a production base.

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  • Expansion of production bases to China
  • 1991

    Expansion of production bases to China

    Established Shanghai Dai-ichi Mould & Plastics Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Precision Mold & Plastics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.) in Shanghai, China, as a production base.

  • 1992

    Established Cebu Dai-ichi, Inc. in the Philippines (Cebu) as a production base.

  • 1993

    Started operations at the new plant of Singapore Dai-ichi Pte. Ltd. (now I-PEX Singapore Pte Ltd, Yishun Plant) in Singapore (Yishun).

  • Started operations at the new plant of Singapore Dai-ichi Pte. Ltd. (now I-PEX Singapore Pte Ltd, Yishun Plant) in Singapore (Yishun)
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  • 1994

    Established Dai-ichi Seiko America, Inc. (now I-PEX USA Components Inc.) in California (San Jose), U.S.A.

  • Established Laguna Dai-ichi, Inc. (now I-PEX Philippines Inc.) in the Philippines (Laguna) as a production base.

  • Established Laguna Dai-ichi, Inc. (now I-PEX Philippines Inc.) in the Philippines (Laguna) as a production base.
  • Development of the world’s<br>first micro-coaxial connector
  • 1995

    Development of the world’s first micro-coaxial connector

    Received an inquiry for micro-coaxial connectors for notebook PCs.
    Developed the micro-coaxial connector CABLINE I® series the following year.

Start of production of hard disk parts
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  • 1997

    Start of production of hard disk parts

    Started the world’s first mass production of ramp, one of the important parts for HDDs.

  • Rotation sensor
  • 1998

    Started mass production of Angle sensor, an automotive component.

    Started mass production of Angle sensor, an automotive component.

    Opened the Taiwan Office in Taiwan (Kaohsiung).

    1999

    Opened the Thai Office in Thailand (Bangkok).

  • Started mass production of Angle sensor, an automotive component.
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  • Established Thai Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) in Thailand (Bangkok) as a production base.
  • 2000

    Established Thai Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) in Thailand (Bangkok) as a production base.

  • Opened the Malaysia Office in Malaysia (Ipoh).

  • Expansion of production bases in the U.S.A.
  • 2000

    Expansion of production bases in the U.S.A.

    Established Touchstone Precision, Inc. (now I-PEX USA Manufacturing Inc.) in Alabama, U.S.A.,
    as a production base

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  • Established PT. Pertama Precision Bintan (now PT IPEX Indonesia Inc.) in Indonesia (Bintan Island) as a production base.
  • 2000

    Established PT. Pertama Precision Bintan (now PT IPEX Indonesia Inc.) in Indonesia (Bintan Island) as a production base.

  • 2001

    Started mass production of the RF coaxial connector MHF® series.

    tarted mass production of the RF coaxial connector MHF® series.

    Opened the Shanghai Office in China (Shanghai).

    2002

    Established Hong Kong Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. in China (Hong Kong).

  • tarted mass production of the RF coaxial connector MHF® series.
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perfection in precision

2004 - 2019
Becoming a connector manufacturer with integrated production

Dai-ichi Seiko shifted from an OEM manufacturer to a connector manufacturer after the merger with I-PEX Co., Ltd.. In particular, by making a name for itself as a fine-wire coaxial connector manufacturer, it has been driven the development of its business and the company has been listed on the JASDAQ Security Exchange and on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On the other hand, the company focused on developing new products such as the world's first Electrostatic Capacitance Torque Sensor and Smell Sensor.

  • 2004

    Integration of development, manufacturing and sales

    Acquired I-PEX Co., Ltd., an innovator of high-speed, wide-area transmission connectors, as a subsidiary.

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  • 2005

    Established Dong Guan Dai-ichi Seiko Mold & Plastics Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Precision Mold & Plastics (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.) in China (Dongguan) as a production base.

    Established DJ Precision Co., Ltd. as a joint venture with Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd.

    Opened the Hachioji Technical Center.

  • Established Dong Guan Dai-ichi Seiko Mold & Plastics Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Precision Mold & Plastics (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.) in China (Dongguan) as a production base.
  • Established Vietnam Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Viet Nam Co., Ltd.) in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) as a production base.
  • 2006

    Established Vietnam Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Viet Nam Co., Ltd.) in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) as a production base.

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  • Accelerating growth with stock listing
  • 2006

    Accelerating growth with stock listing

    Listed on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange.

  • Established Matsue Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (present I-PEX Shimane Inc.) in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture.
  • 2007

    Established Matsue Dai-ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. (now I-PEX Shimane Inc.) in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture.

  • Established I-PEX France Sarl (now I-PEX Europe Sarl) in France.

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  • To become a manufacturer that leads the global standards
  • 2009

    To become a manufacturer that leads the global standards

    The CABLINE®-VS micro-coaxial connector
    was certified as a VESA standard.

  • 2010

    Started mass production of the FPC/FFC connector EVAFLEX® series.

  • Started mass production of the FPC/FFC connector EVAFLEX® series.
  • 2011

    Opened the Shizuoka Office (now Shizuoka R&D Center) in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

60th
  • Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

  • Tokyo Stock Exchange
  • Started the automotive connector business.

  • Started the automotive connector business.
  • 2014

    Development of new fields with proprietary sensor technology

    Released the electrostatic capacitive torque sensor ESTORQ®.

  • ESTORQ®
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  • 2015

    Opened the Detroit Office of Dai-ichi Seiko America, Inc. (now I-PEX USA Components Inc.) in Michigan, U.S.A.

  • NOVASTACK®
  • 2016

    Started mass production of the board to board (FPC) connector NOVASTACK® series.

  • Opened the Heiwa Laboratory (now Shizuoka R&D Center Heiwa Test Site) in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

  • nose@MEMS
  • 2018

    Developed a smell sensor utilizing the MEMS technology nose@MEMS.

  • Established Dai-ichi Seiko (M) Sdn. Bhd. (now IPEX Global Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd.) in Malaysia (Johor Bahru) as a production base.
  • 2019

    Established Dai-ichi Seiko (M) Sdn. Bhd. (now IPEX Global Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd.) in Malaysia (Johor Bahru) as a production base.

    Established Dai-ichi Seiko (M) Sdn. Bhd. (now IPEX Global Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd.) in Malaysia (Johor Bahru) as a production base.

    Established I-PEX Global Operations, Inc. in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture.

60th

To be the Sharpest

2020 -
The Sharpest to the world

Dai-ichi Seiko has made a new start as an “Innovative Product development & Engineering solutions eXpert” by changing its company name to I-PEX Inc., and it started full-scale operation of the I-PEX Campus in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture, as the core center of the Group's engineering departments. I-PEX formulated the “I-PEX Vision 2030,” a medium- to long-term management plan with the aim of evolving into a new business model. On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, I-PEX stepped up to the challenge toward the next era.

  • Opened the I-PEX Campus in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture
  • 2020

    Opened the I-PEX Campus in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

  • Established I-PEX Okinawa Plant in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture.
  • Established Okinawa Plant in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture.

60th
  • Changed the trade name to I-PEX Inc.
  • Rebuilding CI as a global brand

    Changed the trade name to I-PEX Inc.

  • 2021

    Completed the Tech Forest mold manufacturing plant on the I-PEX Campus.

    I-PEX Vision 2030

    2022

    Formulated “I-PEX Vision 2030,” a medium- to long-term management plan.

  • I-PEX Vision 2030
  • Stock listing transferred to the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market.

    Opened the Yokohama Office in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

60th
  • Issued the Group's first integrated report.

  • Issued the Group's first integrated report.
  • 2023

    Launch of the Piezoelectric MEMS Foundry

    Established I-PEX Piezo Solutions for MEMS foundry business.

    60th anniversary of founding on July 10, 2023

  • Established I-PEX Piezo Solutions for MEMS foundry business.