Company History｜food tray container FP Corporation

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Company History

1960s and 1970s

1962	July	Fukuyama Pearl Paper Manufacturing Corporation established. Headquarters established in Kasumi-cho, Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima. Foamed PS thermoforming launched.
1968	March	Headquarters moved to the present site in Akebono-cho, Fukuyama-shi due to growth in business.
1971	January	Manufacturing of wooden-look containers launched.
1972	April	Fukuyama Distribution Center established.
1975	September	General packaging supply retail chain store "Modern Pack" established in Fukuyama-shi.
1976	June	First Pearl Fair (currently FPCO Fair) exhibition held, featuring the company's products.
1979	July	FP Logistics Corporation established to reinforce delivery system.

View of headquarter offices and Dai-Ichi thermoforming plant

1980s

1980	January	Fukuyama Distribution Center established to streamline and increase the efficiency of distribution. Problems with the disposal of trays leads to early launch of tray collection program.
1981	June	Manufacturing and selling of color food containers commences in response to the trend of treating food receptacles as merchandise.
1982	March	Design-located-molding technology developed for manufacturing of high-quality food containers.
1983	April	Tokyo Branch established.
1983	October	Large-scale host computer installed to launch EDI (electronic data interchange) system for placing and receiving orders. Foamed PS microwaveable containers developed.
1984	May	Founder Yasuhiro Komatsu elected chairman of the Polystyrene Thermoforming Industry Association (Japan).
1985	January	Tokyo Distribution Center established.
	February	Pearl Fair held for the first time in Tokyo. Osaka Branch established in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka (relocated to Toyonaka-shi, Osaka in May 1996).
	June	Pearl Fair held for the first time in Osaka.
1987	January	Fully integrated production of solid food containers, from sheet production to thermoforming, launched.
	April	FP Trading Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary, established.
	September	Kasaoka Plant in Okayama established to drastically reduce man-hours.
	December	Use of CFC-utilizing foamed PS discontinued.
1988	March	Technology-sharing agreement formed with Holden Limited, South Africa, through Keyes Fiber, U.S.A. Kanto Distribution Center established.
1988	December	Founder Yasuhiro Komatsu attends an FPI (Foodservice & Packaging Institute, Inc.) general conference held in Washington, delivering a speech on global environment issues.
1989	January	CI introduced. Corporate name changed to FP Corporation.
	July	Chubu Distribution Center established.
	November	Company is listed on the Hiroshima Stock Exchange.

Selling of color food containers commences
Company is newly listed on the Hiroshima Stock Exchange

1990s

1990	September	FP Corporation starts its recycling program.
1990	December	Tohoku Distribution Center established.
1991	February	Listed in the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.
1991	May	Kyushu Distribution Center established.
1992	March	Start selling Eco Tray.
	July	First municipal tray recollection movement commences through joint venture with Tottori City.
	December	Technology-sharing agreement formed with Linpac Plastics International, U.K.
1993	February	Fukuyama Recycling Plant in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima goes into operation.
1993	March	Received Chairman's Award in the Clean Japan Center-sponsored Award Program for Companies Contributing to the Reuse of Resources.
1994	October	Kansai Distribution Center established.
1995	April	All distribution operations transferred to FP Logistics Corporation.
1996	April	22nd annual FPCO Fair 96 held in Tokyo.
	June	Tokai Distribution Center established.
	October	Received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award from the Recycling Promotion Council in the Award Program for Achievement in Promoting Recycling.
	November	Developed Crystar, a transparent container made from a new type of material.
1997	January	Company website set up.
	May	Founder Yasuhiro Komatsu awarded Medal with Blue Ribbon.
	August	HMR Top Seminar held.
	December	Developed Exstar container using new type of material and established Fukuyama Plantin in Fukuyama-shi to facilitate fully integrated production.
1998	August	Automatic material-screening machine installed at Recycling Plants.
1998	October	New warehouse completed for Fukuyama Distribution Center.
1999	February	Founder Yasuhiro Komatsu awarded the 19th Mainichi Business Leaders Award.
	April	Commenced catalog sales through FPCO Modern Pack Co., Ltd. Three factories at two sites (Kasaoka Plant, Fukuyama Plant, Fukuyama Recycling Plant) receive ISO14001 certification.
	October	Received the Prime Minister's Award from the Recycling Promotion Council in the Award Program for Achievement in Promoting Recycling. Developed Histar container using a new type of material.

Eco Tray released, a world first
The 19th Mainichi Business Leaders Award
The Prime Minister's Award

2000s

2000	January	Established Ducks Shikoku Co. headquarters and plant in Kochi. Established MAPS (Modified Atmosphere Packaging System) Design Center in Fukuyama-shi and commenced experiments.
	March	Listed in the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
	March	Kanto Tsukuba Plant in Shimotsuma-shi, Ibaraki begins operations.
	May	Internet and CD-ROM based mail-order sales commenced by FPCO Modern Pack Co., Ltd. Eco Tray registered as a trademark (No. 4387266).
	July	Kanto Shimodate Plant begins operations in Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki.
	October	Kinki Kameoka Plant begins operations in Kameoka-shi, Kyoto.
	November	Kanto Recycling Plant begins operations in Yachiyo-machi, Ibaraki.
2001	May	Exclusive domestic sales agreement formed with Enterline Co. Ltd., Korea, for Enterpack (automatic one-touch heat sealing machines).
	September	Specialized sorting equipment for transparent lids installed at Fukuyama Recycling Plant.
	November	Fukuyama/Tokyo double head office system started, with Tokyo Branch upgraded to Tokyo Headquarters. Kitchen Studio opened at Tokyo Headquarters.
2002	February	Sponsored and initiated reorganization procedures for two reconstructed corporations, Chupa Co., Ltd. and Packdor Co.
2003	February	Kanto Recycling Plant receives ISO14001 certification.
	March	Eco Tray recognized as an Eco product by Okayama Prefecture. Reorganization of Packdor Co. (now FPCO Yamagata, Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary) completed.
	May	Eco Tray recognized as a waste recycling product by Saga Prefecture.
	June	Eco Tray recognized as a waste recycling product by Gifu Prefecture.
	July	Yamagata Plant begins operations in Sagae-shi, Yamagata. East Japan Hub Center completed (current name: Kanto Daiichi Center）.
	October	Eco Tray recognized as a product using recycled resources by Miyagi Prefecture.
	November	FP Corporation recycling method receives the Business Activities Division Award at the Wastech Award 2003. Recycling plants receive their 200,000th visitor.
2004	March	Eastern Japan Sample Center in Bando-shi, Ibaraki and Western Japan Sample Center in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima established. Eco Tray registered as a recycled product in the Recycled Product Registration System in Hiroshima Prefecture.
	May	Tohoku Distribution Center in Kurokawa-gun, Miyagi annexed to Yamagata Plant in Sagae-shi, Yamagata.
	December	Ready-made foods store “Cook Labo” established on second floor of Tokyo Headquarters for research and development of containers and foods used for takeout meals. Tray-to-Tray registered as a trademark in categories #20 and #40 (No. 4322974).
2005	April	CO2 Management Committee established.
	May	Eco Tray registered as a trademark in category #40 (No. 4864115). Reorganization of Chupa Co., Ltd. (now FP CHUPA Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary) completed.
	August	Kasaoka Plant recognized as Eco Business by Okayama Prefecture.
	September	Presented with the Global 100 Eco-Tech Award by the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition and Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc. at Expo 2005 Aichi Japan. Listed in the First Section of the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges.
	November	Kasaoka Plant receives ISO9001 certification.
2006	March	Kanto Shimodate Plant receives ISO9001 certification. Volume of trays recovered reaches 550 tons per month.
	April	5-year Environmental Operation Plan commences.
	June	Kinki Kameoka Plant receives ISO9001 certification. Sample Reception Center begins operations.
	August	FP Logistics Corporation receives "Green Management Approval". Special case subsidiary Ducks Saga Co. established.
	September	Ducks Shikoku Co. receives Presidents Award from the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers (JEED).
	October	Hiroshima Ai Pack Co. established with the goal of being certified as Workplace Offering Type A Continuous Employment Support in accordance with the Act for Supporting the Independence of Persons with Disabilities. (Acquired by FPCO Ai Pack Co. in Jan. 2009)
	December	Founded Komatsu Ikueikai scholarship. Hiroshima Ai Pack Co. (now FPCO Ai Pack Co.) becomes the first private company in the country to be designated as a welfare service business for persons with disabilities.
2007	February	Kanto Shimodate Daini Plant begins operations in Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki.
	March	Fukuyama Ai Pack Co. established with the goal of being certified as Workplace Offering Type A Continuous Employment Support. (Name changed to FPCO Ai Pack Co. in April)
	April	Received the Award for Excellence in the products section of the prize of minister of the environment of containers and packaging 3R.
	August	FPCO Ai Pack Co. Saga Plant begins operations in Kanzaki-shi, Saga. FPCO Yachiyo Center (current name: Kanto Daini Center) begins operations.
	September	FPCO Ai Pack Co. Gifu Plant in Wanouchi-cho, Gifu begins operations. FPCO Ai Pack Co. Ibaraki Plant in Yachiyo-machi, Ibaraki begins operations. Chubu Plant Ⅱ completed in Yachiyo-cho, Gifu.
	October	FPCO Ai Pack Co. Nishinomiya Plant, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo, begins operations. FPCO Ai Pack Co. Yamagata Plant in Sagae-shi, Yamagata begins operations.
	November	Founded Komatsu Shogaku scholarship.
	December	New head office building completed in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima.
2008	August	Received the Chugoku New Office Promotion Award at the 21st Best of New Offices Awards hosted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Company and the New Office Promotion Association. Ibaraki Screening Center commences operations for sorting transparent containers.
	October	Kyushu Daini Plant completed in Yoshinogari-cho, Saga.
	November	Hokkaido Distribution Center completed in Ishikari-shi, Hokkaido.
2009	January	Fukuyama Sorting Plant commences operations in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima.
	March	FPCO Ai Pack Co.'s Hokkaido Plant begins operations in Ishikari-shi, Hokkaido. Honored with the first-ever Fukuyama Environment Award in the Business Category. Received the Heartful Ribbon Mark from the Japan Association of Employers of Persons with Severe Disabilities for excelling in the employment of disabled persons.
	May	West Kanto Picking Center begins operations in Machida-shi, Tokyo.
	June	FP CHUPA Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary, acquires packaging division from Taiyo-Kogyo Corp. Received the 11th Kigyoka Prize.
	September	New washing line introduced at Fukuyama Recycling Plant.
	October	Acquired Nippon Pearl Containers Co. from Toyama Yoseisha Co.

Enterpack
Recycling plants receive their 200,000th visitor
Business Activities Division Award at the Wastech Award
The Award for Excellence in the products section of the prize of minister of the environment of containers and packaging 3R
The 21st Best of New Offices Awards hosted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Company
Type A Continuous Employment Support

2010s

2010	March	Renewed website （URL:http://www.fpco.jp）. Eco Tray certified as a recycled product by Ibaraki Prefecture.
	April	Packing materials and other production supply business transferred from Yuka Shoji Co., Ltd. Tokai Sorting Plant begins operations in Nagaizumi-cho, Shizuoka.
	June	The Shin-Fukuyama Picking Center opens. ALRight Inc. (currently FPCO ALRight Co. Ltd.), a manufacturer and printer of films and cardboard boxes, becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
	September	Saga Sorting Plant begins operations in Kanzaki-shi, Saga.
	October	International Package Co., Ltd. (currently FPCO International Package Co., Ltd.), becomes a consolidated subsidiary. Yamagata Sorting Plant begins operations in Sagae-shi, Yamagata. Hokkaido Sorting Plant begins operations in Ishikari-shi, Hokkaido. Recycling plants receive their 300,000th visitor.
	November	PET mechanical recycling plant installed at Chubu Recycling Plant.
	December	Dia Foods Co., Ltd. (currently FPCO Dia Foods Co., Ltd.), becomes a consolidated subsidiary. Japan Hi-pack Co., Ltd. (currently FPCO Chikusei Co.), becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
2011	February	The FPCO Tray to Tray (TM) recycling method received the Gold Prize at Eco Mark Awards 2010 (sponsored by Japan Environment Association). Founder Yasuhiro Komatsu received the Ninth Shibusawa Eiichi Award.
	April	Certified as "Eco-First Company" by Ministry of the Environment. I-Logic Co. Chubu Picking Center and Chubu Dai-Ni Distribution Center begin operations in Wanouchi-cho, Gifu.
	May	Recycled PET flake manufactured by the PET mechanical recycling plant at Chubu Recycling Plant received FDA-NOL.
	September	FPCO Ai Pack Co.'s Hiroshima Plant received award for excellent workers with disabilities from the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers
	October	Eco Tray recognized as a recycled product by Yamagata Prefecture.
	December	FP Corporation and FP Logistics Corporation received eco-ship modal shift excellence company award from Maritime Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
2012	February	Eco Tray is recognized as a recycled product by Hokkaido Prefecture.
	April	Kanto Yachiyo Plant and I-Logic Co.,Ltd. Kanto Picking Center are completed in Yachiyo-machi, Ibaraki.
	May	Recycled PET container "FPCO ECO APET", which received Eco Mark certification from the Japan Environment Association, is released.
	June	PET mechanical recycling plant No. 2 is installed at Chubu Recycling Plant.
	November	The world's first bi-axially oriented PET container product is released.
2013	April	Ishida Shouten Co., Ltd. (currently FPCO Ishida Co., Ltd.), changes from an affiliate not accounted for by the equity method into a consolidated subsidiary. Acquired the naming rights for commercial building "FP Corp. RiM".
	May	The Osaka branch is relocated to Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka.
	July	Kyushu Daini Distribution Center begins operations in Kanzaki-shi, Saga.
	October	Kansai Daiichi Distribution Center begins operations in Kobe-shi, Hyogo.
	November	Yasuhiro Komatsu, founder of the company, is honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. Construction on Hachioji Distribution Center begins in Hachiojo-shi, Tokyo.
2014	June	Nishinihon PET Bottle Recycle Co., Ltd., which recycles resins from used PET products, is reorganized into a consolidated subsidiary.
	August	Fukuyama Cross Dock Center begins operations in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima.
	October	Miyako Himo Co. (currently FP Miyako Himo Co.) becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
	November	FP Modern Pack Co.,Ltd. merges with FP Trading Co., Ltd. The Hachioji Distribution Center begins operations in Hachioji-shi, Tokyo.
	December	FPCO Comprehensive Research Institute and Human Resources Development and Training Center (Fukuyama, Hiroshima) are completed.
2015	March	FP Corporation is selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Diversity Management Selection 100.
	May	FP Corporation is selected as one of the Competitive IT Strategy Companies by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
	August	The FPCO Comprehensive Research Institute wins a prize from the Director-General of the Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry in the 28th Nikkei New Office Award organized by Nikkei Inc. and the New Office Promotion Association.
	September	Expansion of the Hachioji Distribution Center is finished.
	November	FP Corporation wins a prize of excellence in the category of product and technology development in the Sixth Monozukuri Nippon Grand Awards organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
	December	The number of participants in plant tours reaches 400,000.
2016	March	The Chubu Eco PET Plant begins operation as a base of integrated production covering processes from recycling of PET bottles to production of the Eco APET containers. FP Corporation’s founder Yasuhiro Komatsu is recognized as an honorary citizen of Fukuyama City.
	June	FP Corporation is selected as one of the Competitive IT Strategy Companies by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange for two consecutive years.
	July	Ueda Hoso Co. (currently FPCO UEDA Co.) becomes a consolidated subsidiary of FP Corporation.
2017	January	Four special subsidiary companies (Ducks, Ducks Shikoku, Ducks Saga and Ibaraki Pigeon recycle) marge and become FPCO Ducks. Business transfer from FPCO Ai Pack Hokkaido Plant to FPCO Ducks takes place. Pico House No. 1, a company dormitory, completed in Chikusei, Ibaragi.
	April	Pico House No. 2, a company dormitory, completed in Anpachi, Gifu.
	October	The Kanto Eco PET Plant begins operation

The Gold Prize at Eco Mark Awards 2010
Certified as "Eco-First Company"
The PET mechanical recycling plant at Chubu Recycling Plant
Fukuyama Cross Dock Center

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