In 1987, Hamamatsu Photonics established the Koso Corporation as a production subsidiary to handle its ever expanding sales of light sources in the electron tube field. In 2010, the current factory was constructed to consolidate production functions, that up to then had been dispersed in different locations, and to further enhance the supply system. Since then, Koso has been responding to the rapidly expanding market for electron tube light sources. Koso now manufactures more than 90% of the electron tube light sources sold by Hamamatsu Photonics that include deuterium lamps, xenon flash lamps and xenon lamps.
Recent years have seen increasing awareness of food safety and health not only in advanced countries but in developing countries as well. This has expanded demand for deuterium lamps that are widely used in ingredient analyzers for foods and chemicals. We also anticipate increased sales of xenon flash lamps for environmental analyzers whose market is expanding mainly in China, and higher sales of xenon lamps used in semiconductor inspection systems. The construction of this new factory building will double production capacity as seen from projected sales figures and so will meet expanded needs arising from future demand.
Along with expanding production space by constructing the new factory building, we will optimize the production process of the entire factory and increase the number of staff to further expand the production system. We will also have space available for production of new products likely to be made in the future.
See the information below for details on the groundbreaking ceremony and an overview of the new factory building.