Since the foundation of the company, we aimed for “Eye-Safety” as the core concept of product development and always created new markets by offering customers; industrial safety glasses including laser safety glasses based on the know-how of control optical properties, sports goggles, sports sunglasses and fashion eyewear. By now, the trademark “SWANS” has achieved the position of a world top brand in the sports industry. Presently, we as a comfort creating company, are expanding the scope of Vision Care by contributing to not only the sporting industry but also the whole lifestyle segment and we also implement various research associated with “People’s vision life”. By developing creative marketing strategies, we continuously endeavor to contribute to a healthy and safe environment that provides a rich and comfortable life for the people of the world.
- With the development of the company during the post-war economic recovery period, Yamamoto Kogaku’s anti-dust spectacles and safety glasses kept pace with the growth of the Japanese economy, providing industrial safety equipment for the steel, ship-building and automobile industries. In recent years, we have manufactured laser protective filters by utilizing proprietary technology to control laser beam properties and nowadays, we are distinguished as one of the few companies in the world to manufacture filters to block a variety of laser wavelengths. We developed not only eye safety equipment but also powered fan respirators and back support belts to protect workers from particulate dust and back pain. We also extensively promote our business in the international market.
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Sportsmen and women are challenged under ever-variable weather conditions. These people are attached to the beautiful extent of nature that more often than not hides its infinite beauty away. SWANS supports their eyes through it’s own various technologies. SWANS offers lenses that are several times stronger than conventional lenses, dyestuff absorption technology blocks harmful light to the eye and anti-fog treatment secures clear vision under severe conditions. These product’s functions and precision have been tested in the great outdoors and SWANS chose only the products that passed these tests and satisfied all parties related to the world lineup. This is the method that SWANS uses when proceeding through product development.
SWANS web site
- Company name
- Yamamoto Kogaku Co.,Ltd
- Address
- Head office: 25-8, Chodo-3 Higashiosaka City
Osaka 577-0056 Japan
Telephone +816 6783 0232 (Rep.)
Tokyo branch: 2-1-13, Yushima Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-0034 JAPAN
Telephone +813 3834 2811 (Rep.) - Representative
- Tamenobu Yamamoto, CEO and Chairman
Naoyuki Yamamoto, COO and President - Foundation
- 1911
- Incorporation
- November 1st, 1935
- Capital
- JPY 230,886,000
- Business
- Production and sales of sporting goods, eyewear, sunglasses, optical devices, motorcycle helmets and occupational safety and healthcare products
- Factories
- Osaka, Hyogo, Tokushima and Shanghai factories
- 1911
- The founder, Haruji Yamamoto established Yamamoto Optical Lens Factory in Osaka City.
- 1935
- The factory was moved to Higashiosaka City where the current head office lies and started the production of lenses and eyewear for protection against dust as an unlimited partnership company.
- 1941
- Manufactured anti dust eyewear including aviator goggles.
- 1947
- Reorganization of the company.
Resumed the production of protective eyewear and anti-reflective eyewear. - 1955
- Changed the company name to Yamamoto Bojin Megane Company. Developed first in Japan, the sunglass frames are made by plastic molding. Established Tokyo branch office.
- 1961
- Granted to have the JIS mark on Sunglasses.
- 1964
- Released the Temperglass using Japan’s first reinforced lens.
- 1969
- Built Awaji Factory in Awaji Island.
- 1971
- Entered into a contract with Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd for the exclusive production of HYDRON lens.
- 1972
- Registered as a member of the American National Safety Council. The optical division entered into a license agreement with Spalding International Inc. Established Eyevan Inc., an eyewear sales subsidiary company.
- 1976
- Commenced the production of the super-hard petroid lens. Granted to indicate the JIS mark on the protective eyewear with the hard plastic lenses.
- 1977
- Qualified as an official ski equipment supplier to the United States Ski Team.
- 1978
- Qualified as an official ski equipment supplier to the Ski Association of Japan.
- 1979
- Won the Corporate Excellence Prize of the Good Company Award.
- 1980
- Celebrated the 70th anniversary of the company, changing the company name to Yamamoto Kogaku Co.,Ltd
Built a new head office building. - 1982
- Granted to indicate the JIS mark on the protective eyewear with the reinforced glass lenses. The respirator was approved as eligible to the standard of the Japanese Ministry of Labor.
- 1984
- The new building of the Tokyo branch office was completed; the annex building was attached to head office.
- 1985
- Increased the capital to JPY 98,450,000
Eyevan Inc. was reorganized to the Optical Division of Yamamoto Kogaku Co.,Ltd - 1986
- Granted to indicate the JIS mark on the vehicle helmets.
- 1987
- Built the Tokushima factory in Tokushima.
- 1990
- Launched New Yamamoto 80 project.
- 1991
- Celebrated 80th anniversary ceremony of the company at Kobe where all the company staff took part in this ceremony.
- 1992
- Started operation on the automation line at Tokushima factory.
- 1994
- Announced “ Yamamoto Kogaku as a Comfort Creating Company” doctrine.
Tokushima factory was awarded the prize as an “Industrial Standardization Enforcement Factory” from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Shikoku Office. - 1996
- Established SWANS Sport Vision Center at Tokyo branch office in commemoration of the 85th anniversary of the company. Concluded license agreement with Santa Cruz.
- 1997
- Started operation of Tokushima delivery center.
- 1998
- Established Vision Care Laboratory at Tokyo branch office.
- 2000
- Tokushima factory obtained the certification of “ISO-9002”.
- 2002
- Increased the capital to JPY176,286,000.
- 2007
- Increased the capital to JPY230,886,000.
