DENSO's Heritage
At DENSO, it begins with people. One of the core elements of DENSO's business activities is "Hitozukuri" (developing people). This has been one of our main commitments since the establishment of the company in 1949. It is people who create quality and provide the innovative technology that will help us contribute to an advanced automotive society.
DENSO's basic principles of developing people will lead us to "monozukuri" (the art of making things). No matter where we are in the world, we are committed to the challenge of continuous improvement.
DENSO's Mission is to contribute to a better world by creating value together with a vision for the future. Put simply, we want our present and future efforts to contribute to a better world.
DENSO's Management Principles
- Customer satisfaction through quality products and services
- Global growth through anticipation of change
- Environmental preservation and harmony with society
- Corporate vitality and respect for individuality
Individual Spirit
- To be creative in thought and steady in action
- To be cooperative and pioneering
- To be trustworthy by improving ourselves
First DENSO product sold in North America (a starter-generator for a chainsaw).
After securing a contract to supply alternators to Ford Motor Co., DENSO opened a sales office in Chicago.
To further support sales in the Midwest, DENSO Corporation liaison office opened in Southfield, Mich.
DENSO Sales California, Inc. was established. The company was staffed with 12 employees at its inception.
DENSO Sales Canada, Inc. was established and helped expand the company's sales of air conditioners, electrical components and diesel-related parts.
In May, DENSO closed its sales office in Chicago and established DENSO Sales in Detroit (now merged into DENSO International America).
DENSO opened a service center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to establish a strong system of technological service in the agricultural machinery market.
DENSO Sales California built a new facility in Long Beach, Calif.
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. in Battle Creek, Mich., was established. It was the company's first North American manufacturing facility and the groundbreaking example of DENSO's local, overseas production.
DENSO established its regional North America headquarters, DENSO International America, Inc., in Southfield, Mich. Also, the company founded DENSO Technical Center, U.S.A., Inc., to provide extensive and speedier technical service to its customers.
New facilities for DENSO International America, DENSO Sales, and DENSO Technical Center were built in Southfield, Mich.
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. in Maryville, Tenn., was established to produce electrical auto parts, meters, and electronic components.
Industry Week magazine names DENSO Manufacturing Michigan in Battle Creek one of "America's Top 10 Plants."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes DENSO as a world leader in protecting the ozone layer from harmful automotive air conditioning coolants by presenting the company with its Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award.
State-of-the-art Climatic Wind Tunnel opens at DENSO International America Technical Center to support North American customers.
DENSO International America, DENSO Sales, and DENSO Technical Center, U.S.A., merge into one company, DENSO International America in Southfield, Mich.
DENSO Mexico, S.A. de C.V. in Apodaca, Nuevo, Leon, Mexico established.
DENSO Sales California starts assembly of MovinCool portable air conditioning units.
DENSO's Hollywood Debut - DENSO Micro-Car appeared on the ABC hit TV show "Home Improvement."
DENSO Wireless Systems America, Inc. (DWAM) in Vista, Calif., established.
DENSO Sales Canada in Guelph and Mississauga, Ont. changes name to DENSO Manufacturing Canada, Inc.
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee and DENSO Manufacturing Michigan achieve ISO 14001 certification, a voluntary worldwide standard of excellence for environmental management.
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee produces 10 millionth instrument cluster.
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan receives designation as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen from State of Michigan Governor John Engler.
DENSO named one of the "World's 100 Best-Managed Companies" by Industry Week magazine.
DENSO opens manufacturing facility in Guelph, Ontario to produce vehicle air conditioners.
The first J.D. Power and Associates Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study ranked DENSO's factory-installed navigation system for vehicles highest in customer satisfaction.
DENSO's navigation system is first to offer complete map coverage for the United States.
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee receives KY/TN Water Environment Assoc. Pretreatment Excellence award.
DENSO International America establishes the DENSO North America Foundation.
GAC Corporation de Mexico S.A. de C.V., in Frontera, Mexico, established.
DENSO Corp. receives 2002 Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Protection Award for developing and marketing the world's first mass-produced CO2 refrigerant, heat-pump water heater for households.
J.D Power and Associates presents DENSO Corp. with Chairman's Award.
DENSO in Athens becomes separate and independent company. The company's Athens location is named DENSO Manufacturing Athens, Tennessee Inc.
DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas, Inc. in Osceola, Ark., established.
State of Tennessee honors DENSO's two East Tennessee automotive manufacturing facilities—DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee in Maryville and DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee in Athens—for achieving Performer status, the top level of the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership.
DENSO's 1800 Bar Diesel Common Rail System receives an Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers and OEMs Contribution to Excellence) award in the Product Innovation Category.
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan brings on a new addition to its team: The Pulper – a machine that grinds food waste, Styrofoam, cardboard, etc., and helps reduce the company's landfill waste by 80 percent. (picture of pulper)
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan employees Mike and Eric Ely build "Samantha, the Gardner," a robotic worm that autonomously aerates and irrigates the soil with water.
DENSO Manufacturing Canada in Guelph, Ontario reaches three million hours with no lost time injuries.
DENSO Mexico establishes a worm farm, consisting of 150,000 California Redworms that consume 3 ½ tons of organic garbage a week, in an effort to reduce landfill waste.
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan earns U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Award.
DENSO's navigation system appeared on the CBS TV Show, "The Good Wife."
