History of Pioneer
Pioneer Corporation (Paionia Kabushiki-kaisha) commonly referred to as Pioneer, is a Japanese multinational corporation based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in digital entertainment products. The company was founded by Nozomu Matsumoto in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop, and its current president is Susumu Kotani.Pioneer played a role in the development of interactive cable TV, the Laser Disc player, the first automotive Compact Disc player, the first detachable face car stereo, Supertuner technology, DVD and DVD recording, the first AV receiver with Dolby Digital, plasma display and the last 2 years of plasma models were branded as Kuro), because of their outstanding black levels. and Organic LED display (OLED). The company works with optical disc and display technology and software products and is also a manufacturer. Sharp Corporation took a 14% stake in Pioneer in 2007, which has been reduced to 9%, but Sharp still remains the largest shareholder of Pioneer Corporation, followed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. who owns roughly 4% of Pioneer shares following a memorandum between the two companies in 2010 to strengthen business ties.
In March 2010, Pioneer stopped producing televisions as announced on 12 February 2009. On June 25, 2009, Sharp Corporation agreed to form a joint venture on their optical business to be called Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing Corporation. In September 2014, Pioneer agreed to sell Pioneer Home Electronics (Home A/V) to Onkyo, and in March 2015, Pioneer sold its DJ equipment business division to KKR, which resulted in the establishment of Pioneer DJ as a separate entity, independent of Pioneer.
1937: Pioneer's founder, Nozomu Matsumoto develops the A-8 dynamic speaker.
January 1938: Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho (precursor of Pioneer) is founded in Tokyo.
May 1947: Fukuin Denki is incorporated.
December 1953: Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8 introduced.
June 1961: Company name changed to Pioneer Electronic Corporation.
October 1961: Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section.
June 1962: Introduces the world's first separate stereo system.
March 1966: Establishes sales companies in Europe and the U.S.
February 1968: Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section.
April 1968: Shares are listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange.
February 1969: Shares are listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (now Euronext Amsterdam). U.S. GAAP consolidated financial reporting starts November 11, 1970: Establishes Warner Bros.-Pioneer with Warner Bros. Records and Watanabe Productions.
August 1971: Introduces the HiPac cartridge format
1972: Warner Bros.-Pioneer changes its name to Warner-Pioneer.
1973: Introduces de reel to reel recorder RT-1020L
November 1975: Introduces the world's first component car stereo.
1976: Hi-Fi Speaker HPM-100 introduced.
December 1976: Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
December 1977: Introduces the world's first two-way addressable CATV system in the U.S. (with Warner Cable).
1978: Introduces SX-1980 receiver, Pioneer's most powerful receiver manufactured to date.
February 1979: Introduces the industry-use Laserdisc player.
June 1980: Introduces VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S.
March 1981: Warner-Pioneer establishes the LaserDisc Corporation in Japan.
October 1981: Introduces LD player for home use and 70 LD software titles in Japan.
October 1982: Introduces the LD Karaoke system for business use.
November 1982: Introduces CD player.
September 1984: Introduces the world's first LD combination player compatible with CDs and LDs.
October 1984: Releases the world's first car CD player.
December 1985: Introduces the 40-inch projection monitor.
1989: LaserDisc Corporation changes its name to Pioneer LDC.
June 1990: Introduces the world's first CD-based GPS automotive navigation system.
1990: Warner-Pioneer dissolves.
June 1992: Pioneer Corporation established its regional subsidiary in Southeast Asia, Pioneer Electronics AsiaCentre Pte. Ltd.
October 1992: Introduces the world's first 4x CD-ROM changer.
1993: Pioneer establishes Pioneer Entertainment in the U.S. as the American division of Pioneer LDC.
June 1996: Tokorozawa Plant earns ISO 14001 certification. Pioneer inaugurates and launches Pioneer Karaoke Channel, an Astro satellite television channel for music video and karaoke programming consists for nightclubs.
December 1996: Introduces DVD/CD player and the world's first DVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use.
May 1997: Starts supplying digital satellite broadcast set-top boxes in Europe.
June 1997: Introduces the world's first DVD-based GPS automotive navigation system.
October 1997: Introduces the world's first DVD-R drive.
November 1997: Introduces the world's first OEL-equipped car audio product.
December 1997: Introduces the world's first high definition 50-inch plasma display for consumer use.
June 1998: Introduces the world's first DVD-based GPS automotive navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD.
January 1999: Introduces new corporate logo.
