History

Moriroku's Long Journey to the Present Day

The Moriroku Group traces its roots back to 1663 in the former Awa Province, now Tokushima Prefecture. Thanks to the steadfast support of our valued stakeholders, we marked our 360th anniversary in 2023.
We hope you will take a moment to look back on our journey, which mirrors the development of Japan’s chemical industry, beginning with the distribution of natural indigo and organic fertilizers.

The Origin of the Company Name “Moriroku”

In 1663, Moriroku founder Yasube Mori started trading in indigo dye balls and dried fertilizer under the company name "Shimaya". Later, in 1853, under 6th-generation head Rokube Mori, Shimaya started doing business in the Kanto region. The "Roku" and "Mori" taken from the given and family names of this president were arranged to form what would become the company's new name, "Moriroku".

Early History from 1663 to 1915

Sales of indigo dyed goods commenced and spread nationwide

1663

Foundation
Started dealing in Awa indigo and manure in Awa(Tokushima)

1853

Established Kanto area sales headquarters in Edo (Tokyo)

1878

Exhibited Awa indigo at Paris International Exposition

1882

Started wholesaling of domestic and foreign fertilizers

1899

Opened Kobe Offices

1909

Opened Osaka Office
Started import and sales of dyestuffs, industrial chemicals and sodas

  • Image: A Moriroku Newspaper Ad in the late 1800s
    A Moriroku Newspaper Ad in the late 1800s
  • Image: Moriroku's Office in the Early Years
    Moriroku's Office in the Early Years

Growth from 1916 to 1948

The company was reorganized into a modern chemical trading business

1916

Moriroku reorganized as a joint-stock company
(Capital: 1 million yen, Head Office: Tokushima, Branch Offices: Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe)

1927

Moved the head office to Osaka (Opened Shikoku Office)

1939

Started dealing in food mold inhibitors
Advanced into modern chemical products business

1940

Opened Nagoya Office

  • Image: Former President Rokuro Mori
    Former President Rokuro Mori
  • Image: Moriroku's former branch in Nagoya
    Moriroku's former branch in Nagoya

Laying Solid Foundations from 1949 to 1964

Moriroku continued to establish a foothold as a manufacturer

1949

Started dealing in vinyl chloride
Advanced into resin business

1958

Started dealing in low-pressure polyethylene, and developed product application methods
Advanced into production business

1962

Moved the head office to Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Opened Osaka branch)

1963

Changed the trade name to Moriroku Trading Company, Ltd.

  • Image: Netron Brand Protective Bottle Covers
    Netron Brand Protective Bottle Covers
  • Image: Hi-Zex brand polyethylene on display at a plastic trade show
    Hi-Zex brand polyethylene on display at a plastic trade show

Transformation from 1965 to 1985

The company started full-fledged production of auto parts

1965

Constructed new factory in Suzuka City, Mie

1968

Moved the head office to Kasumigaseki Building, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

1979

Opened the Technical Service Center

1980

Constructed Kanto Plant in Ohizumi-cho, Ohra-gun, Gunma

1982

Changed the trade name to Moriroku Company Ltd.

1983

Constructed the Technical Research Center and prototype facility in Kawagoe City, Saitama

  • Image: The Original Suzuka Plant
    The Original Suzuka Plant
  • Image: Celebrate Marking the Opening of the Kanto Plant
    Celebration Marking the Opening of the Kanto Plant

Expansion from 1986 to 2007

Moriroku began expanding its operations globally

1986

Established a local corporation Greenville Technology, Inc. in Ohio, U.S.A. through joint venture with Honda

1990

Constructed Meiwa Factory in Meiwa-cho, Ohra-gun, Gunma
Established a local corporation, Moriroku Company (HK) Ltd., in Hong Kong

1994

Established a local corporation, Moriroku Philippines, Inc. in Laguna, Philippines
Opened Shanghai Representative Office in China

1996

Opened Bangkok Representative Office
Established a local corporation, Listowel Technology, Inc., in Ontario, Canada
Established a local corporation, Moriroku UT India Pvt., Ltd., in New Delhi, India
Established a local corporation, Moriroku (Singapore) Pte., Ltd., in Singapore

1997

Established a local corporation, Moriroku (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in Bangkok, Thailand
Opened Hezliya Representative Office in Israel

2000

Established a local corporation Rainsville Technology, Inc. in Alabama, U.S.A.

2001

Established a local corporation, Guangzhou Moriroku Technology Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, China
Established a local corporation, Suzhou Moriroku Technology Co., Ltd. in Suzhou, China

2002

Established a local corporation, Moriroku (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, China

2003

Established Moriroku (Guangzhou) Trading Co., Ltd.
Established Production Operational Headquarters Development Center to integrate the production operational headquarter functions in Moka City, Tochigi

2004

Moved the head office to Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Established a local corporation, Wuhan Moriroku Technology Co., Ltd. in Wuhan, China.

2006

Consolidated Chemical Department and Plastic Department into Chemical Business HQ (reorganization).

2007

Established Moriroku Precision Co., Ltd.
Established Moriroku (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.
Established Moriroku Austria GmbH

  • Image: The opening ceremony for Guangzhou Moriroku Technology Co., Ltd.
    The opening ceremony for Guangzhou Moriroku Technology Co., Ltd.
  • Image: The building in Hong Kong housing Moriroku Company (HK) Ltd. in 1993
    The building in Hong Kong housing Moriroku Company (HK) Ltd. in 1993
  • Image: The building housing Moriroku's office in Hezliya, Israel
    The building housing Moriroku's office in Hezliya, Israel
  • Image: Moriroku's office in Shanghai
    Moriroku's office in Shanghai
  • Image: Moriroku's office in Guangzhou
    Moriroku's office in Guangzhou
  • Image: Moriroku's office in Vienna, Austria
    Moriroku's office in Vienna, Austria

Reorganization from 2008

A holding company framework was adopted and Moriroku Holdings was publicly listed

2008

Established Moriroku America, Inc.
Moved the Suzuka Plant to Ifuna-cho, Suzuka City, Mie.
Changed its trade name to Moriroku Holdings Company, Ltd., at the same time establishing new operating companies, Moriroku Chemicals Company, Ltd. and Moriroku Technology Company, Ltd., which would take over the chemical and production sectors of the company, respectively (transition to a holding company structure).

2010

Established Moriroku Agri Co., Ltd.
Established Moriroku Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

2011

Established Moriroku Chemicals Korea Co., Ltd.

2012

Established PT. Moriroku Technology Indonesia
Established Moriroku Technology De Mexico S.A. De C.V.

2016

Consolidated Kanto Plant, Meiwa Plant and Mold Production Plant (in Kawagoe City, Saitama) into Ota City, Gunma.
Established PT. Moriroku Chemicals Indonesia

2017

Moriroku Holdings was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

2021

Established MORIROKU CHEMICALS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

2022

Moriroku Holdings was moved to the Prime Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

2023

Established THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF MORIROKU CHEMICALS CO., LTD. IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Greenville Technology, Inc. and Rainsville Technology, Inc. merged to form Moriroku Technology North America Inc.

2025

Company name changed to Moriroku Co., Ltd.

  • Image: The certificate for listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
    The certificate for listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange