TDK explained

TDK Corporation
Native Name:TDK株式会社
Native Name Lang:ja
Romanized Name:TDK Kabushiki-gaisha
Type:Public (K.K)
Founded: as Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kōgyō K.K.
Founder:Kenzo Saito[1]
Location:Nihonbashi, Chūō, Tokyo
Location Country:Japan
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Noboru Saito (CEO)
Industry:Electronics
Products:Currently: Electronic components, Power supplies, Sensors
Previously: Cassettes, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs
Revenue: US$13.56 billion
(2021)[2]
Operating Income: US$1.15 Billion
(2021)
Net Income: US$528.7 million
(2021)
Assets: US$21.4 billion
(2021)
Equity: JP¥831.2 billion
US$7.84 billion
(2018)
Num Employees:102,883

is a Japanese multinational electronics corporation that manufactures electronic components and recording and data-storage media. Its motto is "Contribute to culture and industry through creativity".[3]

"TDK" is an initialism of the original Japanese name of the company: Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kōgyō K.K. (Tokyo Electric Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.

History

TDK was founded by Kenzo Saito in Tokyo, Japan, on 7 December 1935 to manufacture the iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei.[4] In 1952 and 1957, they began to produce magnetic tape, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966. TDK manufactured an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until the recording media business was sold to Imation in 2007.

TDK produced five million ferrite cores through 1945 that were primarily used to reduce the volume and weight of radio receivers used by the Imperial Japanese military.[5]

Operations in the US began in 1965 with a New York City office, and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany.[6]

In 1980, TDK developed a multilayering technology to create chip capacitors and inductors used in personal computers, laptops, smartphones and other electronic devices.

In 1986, TDK acquired SAE Magnetics and introduced high-density recording heads.[7]

In the 1990s, TDK's Mass Storage Division included brushless DC spindle motors, magnetoresistance (MR) heads and thin-film heads.

Since 1997, TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR ("Acoustic Response"), then the AD ("Acoustic Dynamic") and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA ("Metal Alloy") line in 2004. The SA ("Super Avilyn") and D ("Dynamic") lines were withdrawn in 2011. Industry trends see the company moving into new forms of media. In 2004, TDK was the first media manufacturer to join the companies developing BD post-DVD technology.[8] TDK operated a semiconductor division in California for about a decade, but divested it in 2005.

The company dabbled in the video game business in the late 1990s and early 2000s, by operating TDK Mediactive in the U.S. and Europe, and TDK Core in Japan.[9]

In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording media business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million.[10] This also included a license to use the "TDK Life on Record" brand on data storage and audio products[11] for 25 years.[12] In September 2015, Imation announced that it had agreed to relinquish this license[13] and would cease selling TDK-branded products by the end of the year.[14]

Since the 2000s, TDK has focussed on the development, manufacture and sales of electronic components, HDD heads and suspension, and power supplies.

Beginning in 2005, TDK has acquired many types of electronic device manufacturers including passive component developers, sensors manufacturers and power supply companies. These areas remain TDK's focus today.[7]

Since acquiring numerous companies and sharpening its product line focus in recent years, TDK has begun building a portfolio of varying sensors, actuators and power electronic components through these brands. These include multi-axis MEMS motion tracking devices and MEMS microphones from InvenSense,[15] a point-of-load DC-DC converter from Faraday Semi,[16] and MEMS-based ultrasonic Time-of-Flight sensors from Chirp Microsystems intended for consumer electronics, AR/VR, robotics, drones, IoT, automotive and industrial market segments.[17] Other areas of TDK's recent focus include power components for mobile devices,[18] high-stability MEMS accelerometers from Tronics,[19] and miniaturized haptic actuators.[20]

In 2017, TDK and GenCell began collaborating to develop and produce an ammonia-based fuel solution.[21]

Key acquisitions and joint ventures

Sponsorship and advertising

TDK has sponsored the IAAF World Championships in Athletics since the 1983 inaugural event in Helsinki.[33]

TDK sponsored Ajax for several years in the 1980s during which it won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987. From 1993 to 1999, TDK were also the sponsors of the English football club Crystal Palace, who were promoted to the Premier League twice during this era, though lasting for just one season before being relegated on both occasions. TDK was also a minor sponsor of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Team during the early 1990s. It is a current sponsor of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It also sponsors activities and events such as those at The Cross nightclub in Central London, and it had a prominent sign at Piccadilly Circus from 1990. The contract for this sign was terminated in 2015, as TDK was moving away from consumer electronics.[34]

TDK has owned a sign on One Times Square since 2000. The screen is placed under that of Toshiba and can be seen during the annual Times Square New Year's Ball Drop.[35]

Since 2001, TDK has supported performances of some of the world's distinguished orchestras in Japan within the company's "TDK Orchestra Concerts" program. TDK's "Outreach-Mini Concerts" and "Special Rehearsals and Main Concert Invitations" additionally serve as avenues for the company to attract younger audiences.[36] TDK's own football club, based in Nikaho, Akita, recently split from the corporation to become independent football club Blaublitz Akita, with the aim for the professional leagues.

Museum

TDK operates a company museum in Nikaho, Akita, Japan. The museum is open to the public, free of charge. Among its exhibits are a comprehensive history of the company, its products and technologies, and emerging developments.[37]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Corporate Philosophy . 2021-11-14 . TDK . en.
  2. Web site: Financial Results for FY March 2018 . TDK Corporation . https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075253/https://www.global.tdk.com/ir/ir_library/financial/pdf/2018042700_6fce61bc.pdf. 2018-11-28.
  3. Web site: TDK Japan site: motto and principles.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060823091744/http://www.tdk.co.jp/teaaa01/aaa04000.htm. 2006-08-23.
  4. Web site: TDK Hong Kong site . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060821042738/http://www.tdk.com.hk/english/profile/profile.htm . 2006-08-21 .
  5. News: The Invention of Ferrites and Their Contribution to the Miniaturization of Radios . Okamoto . Akira . 4 December 2009 . . 1–6 . IEEE . 10.1109/GLOCOMW.2009.5360693 . 978-1-4244-5626-0 . 15 October 2020.
  6. Web site: TDK Europe site: corporate history. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017050300/http://www.tdk-europe.com/en/corporate/history.php. 2007-10-17.
  7. Web site: TDK: Our History. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075157/https://www.global.tdk.com/corp/en/about_tdk/our_history/index.htm. 2018-11-28.
  8. Web site: TDK Japan site: corporate history. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327015802/http://www.tdk.co.jp/teaae01/aae10000.htm. 2017-03-27.
  9. Web site: Gantayat . Anoop . 2005-11-15 . Gaming Life in Japan . 2023-09-26 . IGN . en.
  10. http://ir.imation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=73967&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=987176 "Imation and TDK Agree to Imation's Acquisition of TDK Brand Recording Media Business for $300 Million in Stock and Cash"
  11. Web site: Imation acquired the recording media business of TDK Corporation (2007), with an exclusive license to the TDK Life on Record brand for data storage and audio products.. 2015-12-17. Imation Corp: Our History. https://web.archive.org/web/20150910153547/https://www.imation.com/en/about-imation/history/. 2015-09-10. Imation Corporation.
  12. Web site: Imation buys TDK's recording media biz. TDK is to sell its recording media business to Imation for $300m in stock and cash. [..] Under the agreement, Imation will use the TDK brand for present and future recordable magnetic, optical and flash media products worldwide. The right is revokable by TDK after 25 years.. 2007-04-19. 2015-12-17. The Register. Austin Modine. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912010320/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/19/imation_buys_tdk_recording_media_business/. 2015-09-12.
  13. Web site: Imation Announces Steps to Accelerate Strategic Transformation. As part of its efforts to become a pure-play data storage and security company, Imation reached a definitive agreement with TDK under which [..] Imation’s license rights to the TDK Life on Record trademark will terminate. https://web.archive.org/web/20151217232202/http://uk.reuters.com/article/mn-imation-corp-idUKnBw286666a+100+BSW20150928. 2015-12-17. 2015-09-28. Press release. dead. Imation via Reuters.
  14. Web site: TDK Life on Record. https://archive.today/20151211004724/http://www.tdkperformance.com/redirect/. Effective December 31, 2015, Imation Corp. will no longer be selling products licensed under the TDK Life on Record brand.. 2015-12-17. 2015-12-11. .
  15. Web site: Icm-20948 | TDK.
  16. Web site: Power Management Products: World's smallest* Point-Of-Load DC-DC converter Press Releases News Center TDK GLOBAL. March 18, 2019. TDK. en. 2020-02-16.
  17. Web site: Time-of-Flight sensor combines ultrasonic transducer with DSP on mixed-signal ASIC. Kalnoskas. Aimee. 2019-06-25. Electrical Engineering News and Products. en-US. 2020-02-16.
  18. Web site: Inductors: High efficiency thin-film power inductors for mobile devices Press Releases News Center TDK GLOBAL. TDK. en. 2020-02-16.
  19. Web site: TDK Tronics AXO®215 MEMS Accelerometers. mouser.com.
  20. Web site: TDK Extends Portfolio of Mini PowerHap Haptic Feedback Actuators. TDK. 2019-05-14. GlobeNewswire News Room. 2020-02-16.
  21. Web site: Kelly-Detwiler. Peter. A Key To The 'Hydrogen Economy' Is Carbon-Free Ammonia. 2021-04-09. Forbes. en.
  22. Web site: company_profile_2018_e_00.pdf.
  23. Web site: TDK to acquire Lambda Power Division from Invensys. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075707/https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1155293. 2018-11-28.
  24. Web site: TDK to Acquire Germany's Epcos. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075346/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121749648541600349. 2018-11-28.
  25. Web site: TDK to buy Hutchinson Technology for $126 million. Star Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083538/http://www.startribune.com/tdk-buys-hutchinson-technology-for-126-million/339332671/. 2018-07-01.
  26. Web site: TDK will sich Micronas einverleiben.
  27. Web site: Qualcomm, TDK Prep $3bn RF Joint Venture. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075645/https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1328683. 2018-11-28.
  28. Web site: ICsense becomes part of TDK group. 2017-03-28.
  29. Web site: TDK Agrees to Buy InvenSense for About $1.3 Billion in Cash. Bloomberg News. https://web.archive.org/web/20181120124014/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-21/tdk-agrees-to-buy-invensense-for-about-1-3-billion-in-cash. 2018-11-20.
  30. Web site: Chirp Slurped up by TDK. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075602/https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1333018. 2018-11-28.
  31. Web site: TDK buys Faraday Semi for power chip and 3D packaging technology. 9 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075642/http://www.eenewspower.com/news/tdk-buys-faraday-semi-power-chip-and-3d-packaging-technology. 2018-11-28.
  32. Web site: January 4, 2023 . TDK to acquire Qeexo to enable complete smart edge platforms . October 17, 2023 . TDK.
  33. Web site: IAAF World Championships in Athletics. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100059/https://www.global.tdk.com/corp/en/about_tdk/corporate_branding/athletic.htm. 2018-11-29. TDK Corporation.
  34. News: Monkey. TDK ad at Piccadilly Circus: lights go out on 25 years of history. 2015-03-11. The Guardian. 2020-02-16. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  35. Web site: Outdoor Advertising. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100126/https://www.global.tdk.com/corp/en/about_tdk/corporate_branding/index.htm. 2018-11-29. TDK Corporation.
  36. Web site: TDK Orchestra Concerts. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129101617/https://www.global.tdk.com/corp/en/about_tdk/corporate_branding/concert.htm. 2018-11-29. TDK Corporation.
  37. Web site: About the TDK Museum. TDK Corporation. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100058/https://www.tdk.co.jp/museum/en/about/. 2018-11-29.

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