Overview
RION CO., LTD., founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1944, has been at the forefront of acoustic technology, producing a range of products including hearing aids.
During the rapid economic growth of the 1950s, Japan faced significant challenges with environmental noise and vibration. In response, RION launched Japan’s first handheld sound level meter in 1955, collaborating with government agencies to address these issues.
Today, RION continues to provide innovative solutions for noise and vibration control, not only in environmental applications but also in various industries to enhance product quality and production processes.
In 2023, RION entered the occupational health field by releasing noise dosimeters to monitor and record workers’ noise exposure. As a manufacturer that also produces medical devices such as audiometers and hearing aids, RION provides a comprehensive solution that only we can offer.
As a comprehensive supplier of sound and vibration solutions, our mission is to continually contribute to society through our advanced technologies.
RION’ 80-year history
RION has a history of over 80 years. It was established in 1944 with the aim of commercializing the research results of the Kobayashi Institute of Physical Research. See how our sound level meters, vibration meters, and analyzers have evolved.
- 1944 Kobayasi-riken Co., Ltd. is established. (Currently RION CO., LTD.)
- 1946 Rochelle salt piezoelectric phono cartridge and microphone are introduced.
- 1955 RION’s first Sound level meter (N-1101) is introduced.
- 1956 Viscometer (RV-1501) is introduced.
- 1960 Corporate name is renamed to RION CO., LTD.
- 1960 RION Metal Engineering CO., LTD. (currently a consolidated subsidiary) is established.
- 1965 Vibration Meter (VM-01) is introduced.
- 1969 Tohoku RION CO., LTD. is established.
- 1970 The world’s first digital sound level meter (NA-10) is introduced.
- 1970 Komiyadenki CO., LTD. is acquired as a subsidiary of Rion (currently a consolidated subsidiary and renamed to Kyushu Rion Co., Ltd).
- 1979 RION Electronic Industries CO., LTD. in Taiwan, R.O.C., (sold on Oct. 2013) is established.
- 1980 Seismometer (SM-10) is introduced.
- 1981 The world’s first transistorized Anemometer (AM-02,AM-03) is introduced.
- 1981 The world’s first hearing instrument with Automatic Noise Suppression (ANS) is introduced.
- 1983 The world’s first middle ear implant is developed.
- 1983 The world’s first bone conduction hearing instrument spectacles with wireless CROS (HE-72) is introduced.
- 1984 The world’s first drip-proof BTE hearing instrument (HB-35) is introduced.
- 1986 The world’s first 1/N Realtime Analyzer (SA-26) is introduced.
- 1986 The world’s first waterproof BTE hearing instrument (HB-35PT) is introduced.
- 1996 RI Inc. (current non-consolidated company) is established.
- 1996 The world’s first hearing instrument with Either-way Circuit (battery can be inserted without caring for +- side) is introduced.
- 1997 Kokusai Hochouki CO., LTD. is acquired as a subsidiary of Rion (currently named Kanto RION CO., LTD. a consolidated subsidiary)
- 2000 Stock is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange 2nd Section.
- 2002 RION Service Center CO., LTD. (currently a consolidated subsidiary) is established.
- 2002 RION Techno CO., LTD. (currently a consolidated subsidiary) is established.
- 2005 The world’s first custom-made waterproof digital hearing instrument (HI-G4WE) is introduced.
- 2006 Tokai RION CO., LTD. is established (current consolidated subsidiary)
- 2011 Stock is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange 1st Section.
- 2011 The world’s first biological particle counter is introduced.
- 2012 Shanghai RION Retail CO., LTD. (current non-consolidated company) is opened in China.
- 2017 The world’s first cartilage conduction hearing instrument is marketed.
- 2020 The world’s first wireless rechargeable system for hearing instrument is marketed.
- 2020 The world’s first completely wireless audiometer is marketed.
- 2022 Moved to Prime Market in Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- 2022 Norsonic AS is acquired as a subsidiary of Rion (currently a consolidated subsidiary).
Corporate Outline
| Name | RION CO., LTD. |
| Head Office | 3-20-41 Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8533, Japan |
| President & CEO | Kiyokatsu Iwahashi |
| Founded | June 21, 1944 |
| Annual Sales | 25,726 million Yen (Consolidated, FY ended March 31, 2024) |
| Stock Market | Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market(Securities code: 6823) |
| Employees | 1,026 (Consolidated, as of March 31, 2024) |
| Business Outline | Medical equipments (hearing instruments, medical equipment) Environmental instruments (sound and vibration measuring instruments) Particle counters |