IKO Nippon Thompson has continuously been in the forefront of key developments in the field of linear and rotational motion. Ever since the start of the company in 1950, we have dedicated ourselves to serving the industry with innovative products that help our customers to develop state-of-the-art equipment and machines. We are proud to be recognized as “experts in MOTION” and have lived-up to that expectation with more than 70 patents and many significant milestones over the years:
1950
Established Daiichi-Kogyo Co., Ltd., with capital of ¥500,000 in Nagoya, Japan for the purpose of selling bearings and other machine components.
1956
Launched R&D activities for the production of Needle Roller Bearings.
Started selling Needle Roller Bearings via a business alliance with Nippon Thompson Bearing Co., Ltd.
1959
Established first Factory in Himeji, Japan and began manufacturing of Needle Roller Bearings.
1963
Registered our corporate brand 
as trademark.
1969
Established Gifu Factory Complex in Gifu, Japan.
1972
Established Technological Laboratory at Kamakura Factory.
1975
Established NIPPON THOMPSON EUROPE B.V. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
1978
Developed and started selling Linear Motion Rolling Ways (start of our current Linear Way Series).
1979
Introduction of IKO's first 4-row Linear Way (LW).
1981
Introduction of IKO's first 2-row Linear Way (LWA) and start of mass producing linear Ways with preload.
1982
Introduction of IKO's first Crossed-Roller Ways (CRW).
1983
Developed and started selling the first 2-row Linear Roller Ways (LRW).
1984
Completed 2nd factory at Gifu Factory Complex.
1985
Developed and started selling Precision Positioning Tables (currently Mechatronics Series).
1986
Introduced IKO's first angular Ball Spline (LSA).
1987
Awarded “Good Design Awards” (operated by Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO) endorsed by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry) with Linear Way LWA, Angular Ball Spline LSA and Precision Positioning Table CT220/220A.
1988
Completed 3rd factory at Gifu Factory Complex.
1989
Developed a compact 2-row Ball Spline "LSAG" for the micro-chip mounting industry.
1990
Introduction of Japan's first 4-row Linear Roller Way (LRWX).
1991
Introduced the first Ball Slide equipped with a built-in rack-and-pinion (BSPG).
1993
Introduction of the Miniature Linear Way series.
1994
Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL5) with a rail width of 5mm!
1995
Completed 4th factory at Gifu Factory Complex.
Awarded 26th “New Machine Developing Award”, sponsored by Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry with Linear Motor Table TSLM.
1996
Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL3) with a rail width of 3mm!
1997
The first manufacturer of Linear Ways that offers interchangeability, doing away with matching rails and carriages.
1998
Introduction of a revolutionary internal lubrication system "C-Sleeve" (later renamed to "C-Lube").
Presented the World's smallest 4-row Linear Roller Way (LRX12) with a rail width of 12mm!
1999
Developed an all-new U-shaped Linear Way, which also formed the basis for the TU high rigidity Precision Positioning Table.
2001
Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL2) with a rail width of 2mm!
2002
Introduction of the LRX85, the largest Linear Roller Way in Japan.
2004
Introduction of the IKO CRWG Crossed-Roller Way with rack-and-pinion system.
2005
MX Linear Roller Way series available with "C-lube" maintenance free feature.
2006
Established IKO THOMPSON VIETNAM CO., LTD., with a brand-new production facilities in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
Introduction of the World smallest Linear Roller Way with a track rail width of 10mm!
2007
Awarded “Machine Parts Prize”, a subcategory of the 4th Monozukuri Parts Prize by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd. with Linear Roller Way Super X (LRXD10...SL).
2008
Introduction of 3 revolutionary products:
Super Slim Crossed Roller Bearings series (CRBT)
The World smallest Precision Positioning Table (TM)
The World smallest Cam Follower (CFS1.4)
2010
2012
Smaller sizes introduced for several series: MXD10, MLF6 and CRWG2.
Introduction of a double-row angular contact Roller Bearing.
2014
Smallest size Maintenance Free Linear Way (ML) with track width of 3mm.
Introduction of new downsides Linear Way with smaller dimensions and higher load capacity (MV)
2015
Extension of the largest Linear Roller Way series LRX85, with standard, long and extra-long block type.
Introduction of the smallest size Crossed Roller Way (CRWG1) with improved load capacity.
2019
2021
2021
2023
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