PRODUCT GUIDE in digital

Company

HISTORY

1956

Our founder Yoshio Okada invented the world's first snap-off blade knife.

▼The first snap-off blade cutter knife
The first snap-off blade cutter knife
April 1959

Snap-off blade knife was commercialized and commenced sales.

June 1967

Okada Kogyo Co., Ltd. was established in Osaka, Japan.

▼Envelope used at that time
Envelope used at that time
June 1968

Start of export operations

August 1969

Putting a multiple agency system to work in Japan

June 1970

Received the export contribution company certification.

April 1971

Completed construction of new head office at the current location and relocated.

November 1971

Yoshio Okada received the Kinki region Commendation for Invention (Invention Encouragement Award) from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for his invention of the cutter knife.

June 1972

Yoshio Okada received an award from the governor of Osaka Prefecture for his invention of the cutter knife.

English corporate name was changed from Okada Kogyo Co., Ltd. to OLFA CORPORATION.

May 1976

Yoshio Okada received the National Commendation for Invention (Invention Award) from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for his invention of the cutter knife.

August 1976

New head office building completed

November 1976

Yoshio Okada received the Osaka Invention Special Award from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for his invention of the cutter knife.

1979

Invention of the world's first Rotary Cutter

November 1979

Head office building extension completed

February 1980

Launch of Rotary Cutter

November 1983

Construction of Takaida Factory completed

June 1984

Japanese corporate name was changed to OLFA CORPORATION.

July 1984

Production division was separated and established as Okada Kogyo Co., Ltd.

April 1985

Yoshio Okada received the Director-General's Award from the Science and Technology Agency for the development of a snap-off blade cutter knife.

April 1986

Yoshio Okada was awarded the Yellow Ribbon Medal.

December 1986

Yoshio Okada received a letter of appreciation from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for his invention of the snap-off blade cutter knife.

February 1988

Launch of the first 25 mm handle H-1

▼H-1
H-1
June 1993

Tokyo Branch's new building was completed and operations began.

March 1997

Launch of the self-retracting blade Safety Cutter

▼SK-4
SK-4
October 2000

Construction of new Distribution Center completed

September 2004

Launch of the 18 mm X-design handles

February 2008

Completion of new Takaida Factory

March 2009

Launch of the 12.5 mm handles

▼MT-1
MT-1
March 2012

180 Black became the first cutter knife to obtain a three-dimensional trademark.

▼180 BLACK
180 BLACK
November 2013

A-1 was selected as one of the best 100 Good Design Award products.

▼A-1
A-1
July 2018

At the International Stationery & Office Products Exhibition, the ESK-1 won the Grand Prix Award in the Function Category of the Japan Stationery Awards.

January 2019

The corporate name of Okada Kogyo Co., Ltd. was changed to OLFA WORKS Co., Ltd.

February 2020

Launch of the outdoor brand OLFA WORKS in Japan

October 2020

Established Canadian and American subsidiaries

June 2022

Celebrated the 55th anniversary

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