History of NEC in Timeline

NEC Corporation is a Japanese multinational IT and electronics company headquartered in Tokyo. It provides IT and network solutions such as cloud computing, AI, IoT platforms, and telecommunications equipment and software to businesses, service providers, and government agencies. Notably, NEC was Japan's largest PC vendor since the 1980s with its PC-8000 series and continues its PC business through a joint venture with Lenovo.

1901: Construction of the Mita Plant

In 1901 NEC modernized the production facilities with the construction of the Mita Plant in Mita Shikokumachi

December 1902: Completion of Mita Plant

In December 1902, the Mita Plant construction was completed at Mita Shikokumachi, modernizing NEC's production facilities.

1903: Adoption of Common Battery Switchboard

In 1903, the Japanese Ministry of Communications adopted a new technology: the common battery switchboard supplied by NEC.

1904: Export of Telephone Sets to China

In 1904, NEC started exporting telephone sets to China.

1905: Iwadare's Visit to Western Electric and Implementation of New Management System

In 1905, Iwadare visited Western Electric in the U.S. and upon his return, he discontinued the "oyakata" system, implemented direct employment, and introduced efficiency incentives, new accounting methods, and time clocks.

1907: Increase in Telephone Subscribers

Between 1899 and 1907 the number of telephone subscribers in Japan rose from 35,000 to 95,000.

January 1908: Entry into the Korean Market

In January 1908, NEC entered the Korean market, setting up an office in Seoul.

1909: Local Manufacturing of Switchboards

By 1909, NEC was manufacturing common battery switchboards locally, which were initially imported.

1912: Sales Rise to 2 Million Yen

During the period from 1907 to 1912, NEC's sales rose from 1.6 million yen to 2 million yen, driven by the expansion of the Japanese phone service.

March 1913: Delay of Phone Service Expansion

In March 1913, The Ministry of Communications delayed a third expansion plan of the phone service, despite 120,000 potential telephone subscribers waiting for installations.

1915: Sales Fell Sixty Percent

Between 1912 and 1915 NEC sales fell sixty percent.

1916: Resumption of Telephone Expansion Plan

In 1916, the government resumed the delayed telephone-expansion plan, adding 75,000 subscribers and 326,000 kilometers of new toll lines, leading to NEC's expansion.

1919: Association with Sumitomo

In 1919, NEC started its first association with Sumitomo, engaging Sumitomo Densen Seizosho to manufacture cables and transferring Western Electric's duplex cable patents.

1923: The Great Kantō earthquake

In 1923, The Great Kantō earthquake struck Japan. Four of NEC's factories were destroyed, killing 105 engineers and workers, and disrupting telephone and telegraph service.

1924: Development of Strowger-type Automatic Switching System

In 1924, NEC developed its own Strowger-type automatic switching system, the first in Japan.

1924: Start of Radio Communications Business and Radio Research Unit

In 1924, NEC started its radio communications business, imported broadcasting equipment from Western Electric for Radio Tokyo, and established a radio research unit.

1925: Construction of New Mita Plant Building

In 1925, NEC began constructing a new three-story steel-reinforced concrete building for the Mita Plant, modeled after the Western Electric Hawthorne Works.

1925: Development of Electron Tubes and Launch of Radio Tokyo

In 1925, NEC started developing electron tubes. Also, Japan's first radio broadcaster, Radio Tokyo was founded and started broadcasting.

1928: Photo Transmission of Emperor Hirohito's Ceremony

In 1928, photo-telegraphic equipment developed by NEC transmitted photos of the accession ceremony of Emperor Hirohito. Both the Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun newspapers used the NEC product.

1929: A-type Switching System to Ministry of Communications

In 1929, Nippon Electric provided Japan's Ministry of Communications with the A-type switching system, the first of these systems to be developed in Japan.

1930: Manufacturing of Radio Transmitter

By 1930, NEC was manufacturing their first 500 W radio transmitter.

1934: Radio Broadcasting System to China

In 1934, NEC provided the Chinese Xinjing station with a 100 kW radio broadcasting system.

1937: Nonloaded Line Carrier Equipment for Long-Distance Telephone Channels

In 1937, Nippon supplied Japan's Ministry of Communications with nonloaded line carrier equipment for long-distance telephone channels.

1938: Military Control of Plants

In 1938, the Mita and Tamagawa plants were placed under military control, with direct supervision by military officers.

1939: Establishment of Research Laboratory

In 1939, Nippon Electric established a research laboratory in the Tamagawa plant, becoming the first Japanese company to successfully test microwave multiplex communications.

December 22, 1941: Enemy Property Control Law

On December 22, 1941, the enemy property control law was passed. NEC shares owned by International Standard Electric Corporation (ISE), an ITT subsidiary, and Western Electric affiliate were seized.

October 1943: Munitions Company Law

In October 1943, the "Munitions Company Law" was passed, placing overall control of NEC plants under military jurisdiction.

March 1945: Ueno Plant Leveled by Military Attack

In March 1945, the Ueno plant was leveled by the military attack.

January 1946: Reopening of Major Plants

By the end of January 1946, NEC re-opened its major plants for civilian use after the war.

1950: Start of Transistor Research and Development

In 1950, NEC began transistor research and development.

1951: Export of Radio-Broadcast Equipment to Korea

In 1951, NEC started exporting radio-broadcast equipment to Korea under the first major postwar contract.

1952: Deming Prize for Excellence in Quality Control

In 1952, NEC received the Deming Prize for excellence in quality control.

1954: Computer Research and Development

In 1954, NEC began computer research and development.

1956: First Crossbar Switching System in Japan

In 1956, NEC produced the first crossbar switching system in Japan and started joint research with NTT of electronic switching systems.

September 1958: First Fully Transistorized Computer

In September 1958, NEC built their first fully transistorized computer, the NEAC-2201, with parts made solely in Japan.

1958: Taiwan Telecommunication Company and Completion of Computers

In 1958, NEC established Taiwan Telecommunication Company as their first postwar overseas joint venture, and they completed the NEAC-1101 and NEAC-1102 computers.

1960: Integrated Circuit Research and Development

In 1960, NEC began integrated circuit research and development.

1963: Trading as American Depositary Receipts

In 1963, NEC started trading as American Depositary Receipts and Nippon Electric New York (now NEC America Inc.) was incorporated.

1964: Submarine Cable Systems for KDD

In 1964, NEC supplied KDD with submarine cable systems for laying in the Pacific Ocean.

1965: PCM Carrier Transmission Equipment to NTT

In 1965, NEC supplied short-haul 24 channel PCM carrier transmission equipment to NTT.

1968: Establishment of NEC de Mexico, S. A. de C. V.

Between 1968 and 1969, NEC de Mexico, S. A. de C. V., NEC do Brasil, S. A., NEC Australia Pty. Ltd. were established.

1971: SPADE Satellite Communications System

In 1971, NEC supplied Comsat Corporation with the SPADE satellite communications system.

1972: Satellite Communications Earth Station

In 1972, Switzerland ordered a NEC satellite communications earth station, and a small transportable station was set up in China.

1973: Listing on Amsterdam Stock Exchange

In 1973, shares of NEC common stock were listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. NEC also designed an automated broadcasting system for the Japan Broadcasting Corporation and established NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH.

1974: Introduction of ACOS Series Computer

In 1974, NEC introduced the ACOS series computer.

1975: Completion of Central Research Laboratories

In 1975, the New Central Research Laboratories were completed.

1977: Himawari Meteorological Satellite Launch

In 1977, Japan's National Space Development Agency launched the NEC geostationary meteorological satellite, named Himawari.

1978: Concept of "C&C" Introduction

In 1978, NEC introduced the concept of "C&C", the integration of computers and communications. NEC America Inc. opened a plant in Dallas, Texas and acquired Electronic Arrays, Inc. of California to start semiconductor chip production.

1980: First Digital Signal Processor

In 1980, NEC created the first digital signal processor, the NEC μPD7720.

1981: Establishment of NEC Semiconductors (UK) Ltd. and PC-8800 Series Launch

In 1981, NEC Semiconductors (UK) Ltd. was established, producing VLSIs and LSIs. NEC also introduced the 8-bit PC-8800 series personal computer.

1982: PC-9800 Series Launch

In 1982, NEC introduced the 16-bit PC-9800 series personal computer.

1983: NEC Brasil nationalizes its corporate stock

In 1983, NEC Brasil was forced to nationalize its corporate stock under orders of the Brazilian military government, ceding shareholder control to Brasilinvest.

1983: Stock Listing on Swiss Exchanges and Name Change to NEC Corporation

In 1983, NEC stock was listed on the Basel, Geneva, and Zurich, Switzerland exchanges, and NEC changed its English company name to NEC Corporation.

1984: Manufacturing in US and Release of V-series Processor

In 1984, NEC Information Systems, Inc. started manufacturing computers and related products in the United States. NEC also released the V-series processor the same year.

1985: Largest Semiconductor Company

In 1985, NEC's semiconductors business unit became the world's largest semiconductor company by annual revenue.

1986: Financial difficulties for NEC Brasil due to suspended government payments

In 1986, Minister of Communications Antônio Carlos Magalhães caused financial difficulties for NEC Brasil by suspending all government contract payments, with the federal government being the company's main client.

1986: Supercomputer Delivery and Digital Switching System Service

In 1986, NEC delivered its SX-2 supercomputer to the Houston Advanced Research Center, and the NEAX61 digital switching system went into service.

1987: Establishment of NEC Technologies (UK) Ltd. and PC-Engine Launch

In 1987, NEC Technologies (UK) Ltd. was established in the United Kingdom to manufacture VCRs, printers, computer monitors, and mobile telephones for Europe. NEC also licensed technology from Hudson Soft to create the PC-Engine video game console.

1989: Establishment of NEC USA, Inc. and TurboGrafx-16 Release

In 1989, NEC USA, Inc. was established as a holding company for North American operations. Also the PC-Engine video game console was released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16.

1990: Completion of the "Super Tower" head office building

In 1990, NEC completed the new head office building, known as the "Super Tower", in Shiba, Tokyo. Additionally, joint-venture agreements were established to manufacture and market digital electronic switching systems and LSIs in China.

1990: Fourth-Largest PC Manufacturer

In 1990, NEC was the world's fourth-largest PC manufacturer.

1992: Largest Semiconductor Company

In 1992, NEC's semiconductors business unit was still the world's largest semiconductor company by annual revenue.

1992: Suspicions arise regarding NEC-Globo deal

In 1992, suspicions regarding the NEC-Globo deal, including a unilateral breach of contract by Globo founder Roberto Marinho, surfaced during corruption charges against President Fernando Collor de Mello.

1993: NEAX61 ATM Service Node goes into service in the United States and NEC Europe, Ltd. established.

In 1993, NEC's asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching system, the NEAX61 ATM Service Node, went into service in the United States. NEC Europe, Ltd. was established as a holding company for European operations the same year.

June 1994: NEC purchases Packard Bell company

In June 1994, NEC purchased Packard Bell to produce desktop PCs for the North American market, leading to the merger of NEC Technologies (USA) with Packard Bell to create Packard Bell NEC Inc.

1994: Opening of NEC C&C Research Laboratories, NEC Europe, Ltd.

In 1994, NEC C&C Research Laboratories, NEC Europe, Ltd. were opened in Germany.

1995: Second Largest Semiconductor Company

In 1995, NEC's semiconductors business unit became the second largest semiconductor company by annual revenue.

1995: NEC supplies RISC-based CPU V810 for Nintendo Virtual Boy.

In 1995–1996, NEC supplied Nintendo with the RISC-based CPU, V810 for the Virtual Boy

1995: End of NEC sponsorship of Everton

NEC sponsored the English football club Everton from 1985 to 1995. The 1995 FA Cup Final triumph was Everton's final game of the decade-long NEC sponsorship, and Danka took over as sponsors.

1996: NEC supplies VR4300 CPU for Nintendo 64.

In 1995–1996, NEC supplied Nintendo with the VR4300 CPU for the Nintendo 64, and SNK updated VR4300 CPU (64-bit MIPS III) on Hyper Neo Geo 64.

1996: Establishment of NEC (China) Co, Ltd.

In 1996, NEC (China) Co, Ltd. was established as a holding company for Chinese operations.

1997: NEC's share reduced to about 35%

By 1997, NEC's share was reduced to about 35% in Packard Bell NEC Inc.

1997: NEC develops 4Gbit DRAM and receives Japan Quality Award

In 1997, NEC developed 4Gbit DRAM, and their semiconductor group was honored with one of the first Japan Quality Awards.

1997: NEC supplies PowerVR 2 GPU for Sega Dreamcast

In 1997-1998, NEC supplied Sega with a version of its PowerVR 2 GPU for the Dreamcast console.

1998: NEC supplies Bandai's WonderSwan handheld console with the V30 MZ CPU.

In 1997–1998, NEC supplied Bandai's WonderSwan handheld console, which was originally developed by Gunpei Yokoi, with the V30 MZ CPU.

1998: NEC abandons the video games industry

In 1998, NEC finally abandoned the video games industry, after releasing the Japan-only PC-FX console which had a small but steady stream of games.

1998: NEC opens advanced semiconductor R&D facility

In 1998, NEC opened the world's most advanced semiconductor R&D facility.

1999: NEC celebrates their 100th anniversary

In 1999, NEC celebrated their 100th anniversary.

1999: NEC Corporation buys back NEC Brasil shares

In 1999, following the break-up and privatization of Telebrás, NEC Corporation bought back shares in NEC Brasil from Organizações Globo.

2000: NEC forms joint-venture with Samsung SDI

In 2000, NEC formed a joint-venture with Samsung SDI to manufacture OLED displays.

2000: Top Three Semiconductor Company

In 2000, NEC's semiconductors business unit was one of the top three semiconductor companies by annual revenue.

November 2002: NEC Laboratories America, Inc. started

In November 2002, NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs) started as a merger of NEC Research Institute (NECI) and NEC USA's Computer and Communications Research Laboratory (CCRL).

2002: NEC's sponsorship of the Davis Cup ends

NEC was the main sponsor of the Davis Cup competition until 2002, when BNP Paribas took over the sponsorship.

2003: NEC holds 20.8% market share in the personal computer market in Japan

In 2003, NEC had a 20.8% market share in the personal computer market in Japan, slightly ahead of Fujitsu.

2003: End of NEC Shun-Ei sponsorship

NEC sponsored the NEC Shun-Ei, a Go tournament for young players in Japan, between 1986 and 2003.

2004: NEC built the Earth Simulator Computer (ESC)

From 2002 to 2004, NEC built the Earth Simulator Computer (ESC), the fastest supercomputer in the world.

2004: NEC abandons OLED and display business

In 2004, NEC abandoned the OLED business and the display business as a whole, selling off their plasma display business and exiting from the joint-venture with Samsung SDI.

2006: Top Ten Semiconductor Company

In 2006, NEC's semiconductors business unit was one of the top 10 semiconductor companies by annual revenue.

2007: NEC and Nissan Co. Corp. evaluate a joint venture to produce lithium ion batteries

In 2007, NEC and Nissan Co. Corp. started evaluating a joint venture to produce lithium ion batteries for hybrid and electric cars. The two companies established Automotive Energy Supply Corporation as a result.

April 23, 2009: Renesas Technology Corp and NEC Electronics Corp struck a basic agreement to merge

On April 23, 2009, Renesas Technology Corp and NEC Electronics Corp struck a basic agreement to merge by around April 2010.

2009: NEC sponsors Montedio Yamagata

As of 2009, NEC sponsors Montedio Yamagata of the football (soccer) J. League, along with other local companies, having previously owned the team.

April 1, 2010: NEC Electronics and Renesas Technology merged forming Renesas Electronics

On April 1, 2010, NEC Electronics and Renesas Technology merged forming Renesas Electronics which is set to be fourth largest semiconductor company according to iSuppli published data.

April 2010: Renesas Technology Corp and NEC Electronics Corp merge

Around April 2010, Renesas Technology Corp and NEC Electronics Corp merged, forming Renesas Electronics.

January 27, 2011: NEC forms a joint venture with Lenovo

On January 27, 2011, NEC formed a joint venture with Lenovo to establish Lenovo NEC Holdings B.V., registered in the Netherlands, with Lenovo owning 51% and NEC 49%. NEC received US$175 million from Lenovo through the issuance of Lenovo's shares.

February 2011: Bloomberg News comments on NEC and Lenovo joint venture

In February 2011, Bloomberg News reported that the NEC-Lenovo joint venture would allow Lenovo to expand in the field of servers, and NEC's Masato Yamamoto stated NEC would be able to grow in China.

January 26, 2012: NEC Corporation announces 10,000 job cuts

On January 26, 2012, NEC Corporation announced that it would cut 10,000 jobs globally due to a big loss on NEC's consolidated financial statement because of the economic crisis in Europe and lagging in the development of smartphones.

2012: End of NEC Cup sponsorship

NEC sponsored the NEC Cup, a Go tournament in Japan, between 1982 and 2012.

April 2013: NEC becomes the umbrella sponsor for PGA Tour Latinoamérica

In April 2013, NEC became the umbrella sponsor for PGA Tour Latinoamérica, a third-tier men's professional golf tour.

2013: NEC is the biggest PC server manufacturer in Japan

In 2013, NEC was the biggest PC server manufacturer in Japan, with a 23.6% share.

August 2014: NEC commissioned to build undersea data transmission cable

In August 2014, NEC Corporation was commissioned to build a super-fast undersea data transmission cable linking the United States and Japan for a consortium of international companies.

2014: End of Sauber F1 Team sponsorship.

NEC's deal to sponsor Sauber F1 Team, which started in 2011 season, concluded in 2014 season.

2015: NEC exits the smartphone market

In 2015 NEC exited from the smartphone market by dissolving NEC Mobile Communications, bailing out the other participants in the smartphone joint-venture.

2015: NEC sponsored Sahara Force India F1 Team.

NEC sponsored Sahara Force India F1 Team for 2015 season until its demise during 2018 season.

June 30, 2016: Undersea data transmission cable goes online

On June 30, 2016, the super-fast undersea data transmission cable linking the United States and Japan went online. NEC Corporation was commissioned to build it in August 2014.

April 2017: KEMET Corporation announces purchase of controlling interest in NEC Tokin

In April 2017, KEMET Corporation announced it would purchase a 61% controlling interest in NEC Tokin from NEC, making NEC Tokin its wholly owned subsidiary.

2017: Fortune 500 Ranking

In 2017, NEC was ranked #463 on the Fortune 500 list.

July 2018: NEC's business segments and renaming of Telecom Carrier business

As of July 2018, NEC has 6 larger business segments: Public, Enterprise, Network Services, System Platform, Global, and Others. It has renamed its Telecom Carrier business to Network Service.

July 2018: NEC establishes NEC X in Silicon Valley

In July 2018, NEC established its subsidiary, NEC X, in Silicon Valley, to fast-track technologies and business ideas. NEC X created a corporate accelerator program to develop new products that leverage NEC's emerging technologies.

August 2018: Envision Energy strikes an agreement with Nissan and NEC to acquire their automotive battery joint venture.

In August 2018, Envision Energy struck an agreement with Nissan and NEC to acquire their automotive battery joint venture.

December 2018: NEC announces acquisition of KMD

In December 2018, NEC announced that it would acquire KMD, the largest Danish IT company, for $1.2 billion to strengthen its digital government business.

2018: Sahara Force India F1 Team defunct.

NEC sponsored Sahara Force India F1 Team for 2015 season until its demise during 2018 season.

April 2019: NEC sells its sixty-year-old lighting business

NEC sold its sixty-year-old lighting business in April 2019.

September 2019: NEC is the largest supplier of AI surveillance technology in the world

As of September 2019, NEC is the largest supplier of AI surveillance technology in the world.

2019: NEC sponsored successor Racing Point F1 Team

NEC sponsored Sahara Force India F1 Team's successor Racing Point only in 2019 season, and stopped sponsorship thereafter.

December 2020: NEC acquires Avaloq

In December 2020, NEC acquired Swiss digital banking solution developer Avaloq for US$2.2 billion.

2020: NEC ramps up 5G network business

In 2020, prompted by the suggested banning of Huawei's 5G equipment, NEC was galvanized to ramp up its relatively small 5G network business to fill the void in the telecommunications equipment markets. NTT invested $596 million for a 4.8 percent stake in NEC to assist this move.

2020: NEC sells stake in display subsidiary and curtails energy storage business

In the first half of 2020, NEC sold a majority stake in NEC Display Solutions to Sharp Corporation and decided to gradually curtail the money-losing energy storage business throughout the decade.