Company History

The history of a pioneer of bicycle parts founded in 1948

A history of craftsmanship inheriting the founder’s passion

Try all of the possibilities of a material to contribute to society through manufacturing. The following is the 50-year history of OGK as a pioneer of bicycle parts, built upon the passion of its founder passed down to this day.

1940-
  • 1948
  • Osaka Grip Kako (English name: Osaka Grip Mfg. Co., Ltd.) is founded (Capital: 200 thousand yen)
    Shou Kimura becomes the first president
1950-
  • 1950
  • Develops grips for the Southeast Asian market
    Receives “industrial alcohol user permit” from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
  • 1953
  • Applies for new invention and right to a method for attaching metal caps
    Begins manufacturing the aforementioned product
  • 1955
  • Keiu Kimura becomes president
    Is granted the industrial property right No. 1
    Manufactures PVC grips using the press method
  • 1957
  • Switches to manufacturing by the paste resin injection method
1960-
  • 1960
  • Develops grips formed by injection molding
    Installs and begins operating the first injection molding machine
  • 1961
  • Installs the second injection molding machine
  • 1962
  • Succeeds in the self-manufacture of PVC raw material
    Builds a mold making and injection molding factory
    Develops integrated pedal for young children’s bicycles
  • 1963
  • Develops auxiliary wheels for young children’s bicycles
    Develops the 90 mm diameter PVC wheel
  • 1964
  • Develops bicycle helmets
    Installs an automatic packing machine
    Develops the MK helmet. OGK subsequently manufactures and markets MK helmets type 2, 3, and 5
  • 1966
  • Develops basket for young children’s bicycles
  • 1967
  • Develops child seat for bicycles
    Installs 30 oz. injection molding machine
    Begins manufacturing and marketing dress guards
  • 1968
  • Increases capital to 12 million yen
1970-
  • 1970
  • Develops the 150 mm diameter PVC wheel
    Enters the shopping cart industry
    Begins development of self-sealing tire by using injection molding machine
    Is recognized for its contribution to exports by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
  • 1971
  • Installs an EVA rotary molding machine
    Develops EVA wheel
  • 1972
  • Develops windshield for bicycles
    Begins manufacturing and marketing baskets for tricycles
    Builds the Nishitsutsumi company condominium
  • 1973
  • Installs the first twin-head injection molding machine
    Completes the construction of Nishitsutsumi warehouse
  • 1974
  • Establishes the technology for half-face helmets
  • 1975
  • Installs the first tire winding machine
    Dominates almost the entire domestic market of auxiliary wheels
    Participates in the New York City Cycle Show in the United States for the first time. Thereafter, OGK has participated in every Cycle Show
  • 1976
  • Begins marketing windshields for bicycles
  • 1978
  • Increases the number of twin-head molding machines to five. Removes the rotary molding machine
    First helmet boom
  • 1979
  • Begins manufacturing and marketing emergency road flares for night/daytime use
    Begins developing glass fiber wheels
1980-
  • 1980
  • Markets earmuffs
    Succeeds in the commercialization of glass fiber wheels for BMX. Begins exporting to the United States
  • 1981
  • Develops jet-style helmet
    Installs a 650 ton injection molding machine
    Establishes Korea OGK Co., Ltd.
  • 1982
  • Establishes OGK HANBAI Co., Ltd. (Current OGK KABUTO Co., Ltd.)
    Establishes a helmet assembly factory
    Begins manufacturing and marketing sports helmets
  • 1983
  • Develops the SH-202, which becomes the first Japanese official helmet of the Japan Amateur Cycling Federation
    Begins manufacturing and marketing semi-jet helmets
    Begins manufacturing and marketing bicycle helmets for the American market
    The bicycle helmet passes the U.S. CPSC Product Safety Standards
    Begins marketing baskets for children bicycles
    Is recognized a blue-chip company
  • 1985
  • Begins manufacturing and marketing unicycles
    Begins manufacturing soft shell by using blow molding
    Ships the first soft-shell helmet
    Second helmet boom
  • 1987
  • Launches two-colored baskets for adult bicycles
    OGK factory receives certification of conformity with the Japanese Industrial Standards
    OGK factory receives certification of conformity with the SG Standards
  • 1988
  • Begins development and export of soft shell by using injection molding
    OGK’s unicycle becomes official unicycle of the Japan Unicycling Association
    Receives investment from Osaka Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation Co., Ltd.
    Increases capital to 96 million yen
  • 1989
  • Completes the construction of Mizuhai Factory
1990-
  • 1990
  • Changes the company name to OGK CO., LTD.
  • 1991
  • Completes the Mizuhai Factory automatic molding line for glass fiber wheels
  • 1992
  • Expands Mizuhai Factory
  • 1993
  • Installs a 1450 oz. two-color injection molding machine
    Begins marketing eco wheels
    Hidemoto Kimura becomes president
  • 1994
  • Successfully develops rattan-like plastic basket
    Begins marketing ceramic fiber wheels
  • 1995
  • Begins marketing the hollow-section wheel Stream V
  • 1996
  • Begins marketing transparent baskets
  • 1997
  • Enters the welfare industry
2000-
  • 2001
  • Establishes Kunshan OGK Co., Ltd.
    Starts manufacturing and marketing FBC-003, a molded-plastic integrated front child seat
    Starts manufacturing and marketing RBC-005, a high-back rear child seat
  • 2002
  • Starts manufacturing and marketing RBC-003, a molded-plastic integrated rear child seat
    Introduces and starts marketing free-carry system (easily mountable/demountable luggage carrier)
  • 2005
  • Starts manufacturing and marketing RBC-007DX, a deluxe rear child seat with headrest
  • 2008
  • Begins manufacturing and marketing products for small children and child rearing related products (OGK baby)
2010-
  • 2011
  • Completes the new head office
    Starts manufacturing and marketing RBC-011DX, a comfort rear child seat with headrest
  • 2013
  • Holds OGK’s first private exhibition
  • 2015
  • Installs an 850 ton injection molding machine
  • 2016
  • Establishes OGK Europe B.V.
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