Shindengen's core product semiconductors

At the time of its establishment, selenium rectifiers were Shindengen's core business, so when semiconductors using germanium, silicon, and other materials were later developed, the company worked to apply these technologies to rectifier applications /rectification in Shindengen's semiconductor products.
Shidengen's long history of power semiconductor research and development began when alloy-type germanium transistors were introduced in 1952, and Shindengen worked to perfect alloy-type germanium transistors for rectification in 1957. Silicon thyristors were also introduced in 1957, and Shindengen then also completed thyristor prototypes in 1960, and began sale of 16A/400V products in 1961.
At present, in addition to discrete semiconductors such as MOSFET and IGBT, we also manufacture other power semiconductor related products, including monolithic IC, hybrid IC, power modules, and more.

The invention of a patented short-circuit prevention method for selenium rectifier elements greatly improved the reliability of elements developed by Shindengen, significantly contributing to expansion of the company's business. In 1952, the Japanese telecommunications system was transferred to the control of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (present day NTT) which drove a rapid acceleration in the installation of telecommunications equipment within Japan. Seizing on this opportunity, Shindengen successfully sold A-3000-1 selenium rectifiers to the Hamacho telephone exchange in 1955. This was the beginning of the establishment of selenium rectifiers as power supplies for telephone exchanges, and they still form the basis of the telecommunications power supply business today.

A selenium rectifier developed in 1950’s

power conditioner

As focus on issues such as global warming countermeasures, and exhaustion of energy resources continued to grow, Japan introduced the feed-in tariff system (FIT) for renewable energy and began promoting the adoption of renewable energy. In 2011, Shindengen developed a bidirectional 2kW inverter unit for home electricity storage systems. In the same year, the company also developed high frequency insulation type PCS (power conditioner) and entered the renewable energy market. The company has since grown its sales and captured a top-class share of the industrial PCS market.

The 2000's saw the bursting of the IT bubble, the Lehman Shock, and other events which impacted the company's business environment. The company used this as an opportunity to shift its core field from the private sector semiconductor products that had been Shindengen's focus up until then, to products for vehicle applications, which require a high degree of reliability, and worked on strengthening initiatives aimed at improving quality in everything from design to manufacturing. As a result, vehicle application products have grown to 40% of the electronic device business sales at present, becoming the core of the business. The company also established an independent power module division in 2012 as the needs for modularization grew as a result of the trend toward device downsizing and functional advancement. Not only are products which integrate the circuit technologies and mounting technologies developed by Shindengen sold independently, they are also incorporate into Shindengen's power management electronics and power supply products, and continue to support our business as drivers of growth for each of these product categories.
In addition, in the power management electronics field, we have also expanded our lineup of products with embedded software, and developed high efficiency step-down voltage DC/DC Converters for HEV and FCV; developed idling-stop compatible ECU for two-wheel vehicles and began mass production in ASEAN regions, and otherwise continue to expand the fields of application for environmentally-friendly products. In 2011, we also developed 50kW quick chargers for EV which achieve high efficiency and lower noise based on our high reliability rectifier technologies cultivated in the telecommunications field. Since then, we have continued to grow with the domestic EV charging infrastructure market, including advancing to development of products with a maximum output of up to 150kW.

Power module (left) and EV quick charger (right)

Previous diode motif logo (left)
New Shindengen logo (right)

On July 1, 2017, we renewed our brand logo from the diode motif based logo that has long been familiar since it was registered as a trademark in September of 1951.

When creating the new corporate logo, we first reconsidered the "essence and character" of Shindengen, then we created a new philosophy system incorporates the philosophy system we have maintained up until now; consisting of the management philosophy, corporate mission, and action agenda; with the addition of the pledge "Listen closely, look ahead, and create a future of value" which states how to realize those ideals, and the new brand statement "New power. Your power.".

The Hanno Factory has long carried out research and development and business management functions as a core facility for the Shindengen Group.
However, over its 70 year history, the building has become worn out to a degree that could no longer be maintained, so it was decided to construct a new office in Asaka City. The Asaka Office was thus born based on the four concepts of "consolidate functions and improve productivity", "advanced environment", "comfort and ease of working", and "safety and security". By consolidating the functions of the Otemachi head office and Hanno Factory, and integrating buildings by division, the office aims to promote the development of products suited to a new era and contribute to society, paving the way for the future taking the first step on a new path.

Asaka Office