History
History of LIGHT Optical Works, Ltd.
1958
(June) As the business grew, the headquarters factory was relocated to Minamizawa, Suwa City, and the production of rifle scopes began. (October) The company was restructured and became LIGHT Optical Works, Ltd.
1963
Capital increased to 10 million yen
1966
(July) In response to the expansion of production scale, a new factory (first phase of construction: machine factory) was built in Nakasu, Suwa City.
1970
(June) Iida Light Co., Ltd. is established in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, and a lens processing and assembly factory is constructed.
1977
(August) Prince Takamatsu and Princess Kikuko visit for an inspection.
2004
(November) President Shohachi Iwanami (at the time) becomes chairman of the Suwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
2007
(June) Selected as one of the "300 Vibrant Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Companies" by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
2010
(January) 55th Anniversary Ceremony
2015
(April) Received the Encouragement Award at the 27th Small and Medium Enterprise Excellent New Technology and New Product Awards
(July) New head office building completed as part of the third phase of head office reconstruction, and a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the company's founding was held.
2019
(October) 65th Anniversary Ceremony
1956
(February)LIGHT Optical Works, Ltd. is established in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture as a binoculars manufacturer.
1962
(December) Microscope production begins
1964
(June) Certified by the Minister of International Trade and Industry as an export contributing company, and has been certified every year since.
1969
(May) The second phase of construction was completed, and a new head office and assembly plant were built. All functions were concentrated in Nakasu, establishing a system for increased production.
1976
(October) Capital increased to 25 million yen
1990
(April) President Hirotomi Iwanami (at the time) was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, Fifth Class, for his contributions to industry (trade promotion).
(June) President Iwanami Hirotomi (then) appointed Chairman of the Suwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2005
(November) 50th anniversary ceremony
2009
(February) Selected as one of the "1,400 Job-Creating Companies" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Manufacturing Industries Bureau
(December) Completed the reconstruction of the head office (first and second phases of construction) to strengthen the production system. Installed a solar power generation system through joint research with NEDO.
2013
(January) Masatomi Iwanami (then president) receives the Young Manager Award from the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
(October) Received the Grand Prize at the "NAGANO 2013 Manufacturing Awards" and was certified as a NAGANO Manufacturing Excellence 2013.
2014
(September) The second factory begins operation in the precision industrial park in Nakasu, Suwa City.
2016
(June) Iida Light Co., Ltd. moves to the second factory and changes its name to LIGHT GLASS Co., Ltd.
2022
(November) Completed the fourth phase of construction (two building extensions and renovations) at the head office factory to strengthen production systems, and registered as a Nagano Prefecture SDGs promoting company.
2023
(November) 70th Anniversary Ceremony
