About Sharp Corporation

The story began ...

In 1912, founder, Tokuji Hayakawa, was awarded a patent for the "Tokubijo" snap buckle (he was 18 years old at the time). On September 15, the same year, he established a small metalworking shop in Tokyo. The company began with three employees and initial capital of just under 50 yen.

In 1915, Mr. Hayakawa continued to research and improve techniques to manufacture a metal writing instrument which, at the time, had not yet been developed. In 1915, he invented a mechanical pencil named the "Ever-Sharp Pencil" that took the world by storm. The name of the company today and its trademark are derived from this product.

In May 1935, the structure of the company was modified to become a joint-stock corporation under the name Hayakawa Metal Works Institute Co. (capitalization: 300,000 yen.)

Today...

Since then, based on our founder Tokuji Hayakawa's dream to "Make products that other companies want to imitate", Sharp has gone from strength to strength with our  technologically-advanced 'one-of-a-kind' products.

Sharp has a long history of creating breakthrough products designed to meet the needs of people living in New Zealand and around the world. Sharp’s world-wide leadership in technology innovations, ensures Sharp is at the forefront of the pack.

Today, Sharp products are sold in 140 countries. There are 27 manufacturing operations, 29 sales companies and 2 representative offices in 26 countries.

Following its business philosophy and business creed of “Sincerity and Creativity,” Sharp is moving forward to even more thoroughly fulfill its social responsibility through manufacturing and technologies that contribute to the conservation of the global environment.