Company Profile
Company Overview
Toshiba America, Inc. (TAI) is the holding company for one of the nation's leading group of high technology companies, with a combined total of approximately 8,000 employees in the U.S. Together, the U.S.-based companies under TAI's umbrella manufacture and market a widely diversified range of modern electronics, each conducting research and development, manufacturing, sales and service in its field of expertise.
The U.S.-based Toshiba operating companies and some of their chief products are as follows: Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (Flash Memory, LCD Panels, Microprocessors); Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (Notebook Computers, Storage Devices, Imaging Systems, Telecommunication Systems); Toshiba International Corporation (Power Generation Equipment, Industrial Electronic Equipment); Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (CT, Ultrasound, and MRI); Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC (HDTVs, Digital Home Theater Products).
TAI is a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products, with 364 consolidated subsidiaries worldwide.
Company History
Toshiba's early history has two strands: 1875 saw the establishment of Tanaka Seizo-sho (Tanaka Engineering Works), Japan's first manufacturer of telegraphic equipment. Its founder, Hisashige Tanaka (1799 - 1881), was well known from his youth for inventions that included mechanical dolls and a perpetual clock. Under the name Shibaura Seisaku-sho (Shibaura Engineering Works), his company became one of Japan's largest manufacturers of heavy electrical apparatus. In 1890, Hakunetsu-sha & Co., Ltd. was established as Japan's first plant for electric incandescent lamps. Subsequent diversification saw the company evolve as a manufacturer of consumer products. In 1899, the company was renamed Tokyo Denki (Tokyo Electric Co.).
In 1939, these two companies, leaders in their respective fields, merged to form an integrated electric equipment manufacturer, Tokyo Shibaura Denki (Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.). The company was soon well known as 'Toshiba,' which became its official name in 1978.