Japan is one of the tech-driven nations that is growing in every aspect very rapidly. The country is not making impressive breakthroughs exclusively in the 21st century, as history is proof that Japan has always been a nation trying to uplift its economy. Many famous multinational conglomerates have their origin in Japan and one such company is Murata Manufacturing.
About Murata Manufacturing
Murata Manufacturing is a Japanese company established in 1944 in the electronic industry. The founder of the company is Akira Murata who started the company as a personal venture in Kyoto, Japan. Murata Manufacturing develops a wide range of electronic products from power supply equipment to communication modules. The company is famous for manufacturing ceramic passive electronic components and dominates the market when it comes to ceramic filters. Currently, Murata Manufacturing has expanded its market beyond Japan to other Asian countries and in America and Europe as well.
Founding History of the Company
The story of Murata Manufacturing began in 1944 when Akira Murata decided to go on a personal venture in the city of Kyoto. Akira started his business in a small factory of 150m2 where he manufactured titanium-oxide ceramic capacitors. The main use of these capacitors was in heterodyne radios. Since people had radio as the only source of entertainment and news back then, the superheterodyne radios became very popular.
In 1947, Akira started working with an assistant professor from Kyoto University and developed a practical barium titanate capacitor. This was a breakthrough for the company as it became the world’s first manufacturer to commercialize a practical barium titanate piezoelectric transducer for fishfinders. After some time, the market for Murata was going very slow as its AM radio ceramic filters took some time to gain demand in the market, and the quality of products also dropped due to compromise in raw materials after WWII. So, the company also started producing insulators and also built equipment for quality checks.
In 1952, the headquarters of Murata Manufacturing was moved to another part of Kyoto City called Yamashina. The company started investing in research and development very early and its research division is called Murata Technology Research Laboratory Co. Murata’s research department introduced an electron microscope and spectrometer in 1956.
Growth and Expansion
The 1970s witnessed expansion in the international markets as Murata opened its business in Georgia, USA. Murata started expanding the range and production rate of its products and became the mass producer of SAW filter and dielectric filter for consumer products in 1975. In the 1980s, Murata introduced CERALOCK, a ceramic resonator for the PCs and it became a hit. In 1983, the company established Izumo Murata Manufacturing followed by a plant in Yasu-Cho in 1987 and the Yokohama R&D center in 1988. In 1988, the company also opened its business in Thailand.
In 1990, the company developed a very innovative design for gyro sensor technology to make it cos-effective and a comparatively smaller size for general customers. This new sensor was equipped with image stabilization and also detected travel directions in automobiles. Murata pitched this product using a small robot cyclist and the picture went viral all over the media. In 1994, Murata opened a sales and production company in Wuxi, China.
Murata in the 21st Century
Many new products came up in the 21st century and the company also evolved with time with the advent of the digital era. In the 2000s, Murata focused on developing equipment for wireless technology as the demand for communication through PCs was increasing rapidly. This was the time when the internet started ruling the digital market and everyone wanted an internet connection in their computers and smartphones.
In 2010, the company developed the world’s first smallest and thinnest pyroelectric infrared sensor and an ultra-thin piezoelectric speaker. The company acquired Peregrine Semiconductor Corp in 2014. Last year, the company announced the opening of a new R&D center in Yokohama. Currently, the company has more than 60,000 employees spread across the globe.
The Founder: Akira Murata
Born in 1921, Akira Murata is famous for establishing Murata Manufacturing and served as the President of the company from 1950 to 1991. From 1995, he served as the Honorary Chairman of the company until he passed away in 2006. Throughout his professional life, Murata was awarded many prestigious accolades including the Medal with Blue Ribbon of Japan (Ranju Hosho), Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany First Class, Order of the Sacred Treasure, etc.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more